| The ferocity of the recent Australian fires has been | | | | human lives. Finally early warning systems could |
| at least worsened by the record heat wave and hot, | | | | significantly support populations at risk in leaving their |
| dry winds in southern Victoria State; although | | | | houses safely in time. |
| investigation will clarify the apparently important role | | | | But the best chance we have to make these events |
| of arsonists, climatic conditions helped the fires to | | | | less dramatic in the future remains the mitigation of |
| become so dreadful. Such events in Oceania, America | | | | climate change through the reduction of our |
| and Europe remind us that the alteration of the | | | | greenhouse gases emissions causing it. After the |
| Earth's climate is causing loss of lives, material | | | | recent tragedy the Australian government is being |
| damage and changes to natural cycles. Because of | | | | pushed by public opinion to strengthen the country's |
| this now widely acknowledged reality, extreme | | | | targets. Like the UNFCCC website home page |
| events such as hurricanes and inundations will be | | | | reminds us, ( the countdown is on until COP15 in |
| more frequent and/or intense in many regions, | | | | Copenhagen: in Denmark's next winter (will it be cold |
| implying serious consequences for our socio-economic | | | | or mild?...) the world's leaders will have the chance to |
| systems: we will certainly need better adaptation | | | | write a new wider international treaty to save worse |
| measures. Furthermore, in the case of extreme fires | | | | problems for future generations. Will they have the |
| or inundation, effective evacuation systems including | | | | courage and intelligence to do that? We will know |
| police powers to force people to move will have to | | | | before next Christmas. |
| be discussed and probably put into place to save | | | | |