There is a blanket of smog covering the Sydney Opera House. November 22 in Sydney, the air Pollution in the city was recorded as the worst in history for the state. Fires in New South Wales have been reaching historic levels and continue to burn.

Due to the dangerous air quality levels, health experts have encouraged people to avoid outdoor activities. The fires causing the historic Pollution have burned 1.7 million hectares in New South Wales. Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology has said of the fires, “Climate change is influencing the frequency and severity of dangerous bushfire conditions in Australia and other regions of the world.” This is the opposite sentiment of the Australian Prime Minister.

See Sydney’s Air Pollution Levels

Scott Morrison, Australia’s Prime Minister, continues to reiterate that Climate change and fires are not related. He was interviewed by ABC AU on November 21 and he said that there wasn’t any “credible scientific evidence” that linked cutting carbon emissions with reduced fire severity. He also blocked meetings with New South Wales firemen over Climate change back in October.

He said that Australia’s  low emissions as a total share of the global emissions wouldn’t do enough to change the fires or their severity. “I think to suggest that at just 1.3% of global emissions, that Australia doing something more or less would change the fire outcome this season — I don’t think that stands up to any credible scientific evidence at all,” he said.

Morrison’s administration ended the national carbon price in 2014. Emissions have risen each year since that, according to Australia’s environmental department.

Read more about Australia in One Green Planet, including Koalas on the Verge of Extinction Due to Record Breaking Forest Fires and Deforestation and Australian Capital Shifts to 100% Renewable Energy.

Also, read our coverage on the intersection of Climate change and politics, including why Climate change is a top priority for young voters, what the Green New Deal, and have a quick look at the 2020 democratic presidential candidates’ current plans on climate change and watch them discuss their views in Weather Channel’s Race to Save The Planet Forum. Cities all over the world from California to Vietnam are facing climate crisis and millions of people are protesting all over the world.

The United Nation recently released a report warning countries about the dangers of climate change and has urged people to eat more plant-based as a way to curb it.  We highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest meatless, plant-based, vegan and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet. 

For more Animal, Earth, Life, Vegan Food, Health, and Recipe content published daily, subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter!

Lastly, being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!