Poirot, I think we can safely say we haven't had such hugely devastating fires in October before, despite any other similar weather conditions etc.

The question remains though, that if the climate IS changing, then is it because of human activity or is it because of the usual climate changes the world sees over the years?

About 95% of scientists say it IS because of human activity.
The other 5% believe only an invisible god can do this, OR, would prefer to just ignore the facts and continue on like they always have...doing nothing.

What I want to know is, who will be worse off if we are in the camp of those believing in GW , or those who do not, if in fact it IS found to be true?
I, for one, am not willing to take the risk that the 95% of scientists might be wrong...

I especially believe these scientists because they are academics, and not just any Joe Blow out there telling us what he reckons!

Adam Bandt is a weevil in the flour of Australian politics.

Why is everyone up in arms about political "point scoring"? Quite honestly I would prefer that people would discuss what they think the reasons, causes and contributing factors are, at least then we may learn something from it and prevent something like this happening again.

Is Mise, show me where a Green poly has singled out as you said.
to single out climate change/global warming as a reason for the current fires is simplistic.
What is being said is two fold, climate change will be a major contributing factor in future, if its not already, to devastation on a large scale world wide by catastrophic climatic events. The plant has in the past suffered from such events. What is being said is if significant action is not taken now, these kinds of events, and others, will occur more often an be more severe than they have been in the past. The vast majority of climate scientists agree with that.
As for the bushfires at present in NSW, it is being said that these are a warning of the type of event that will occur more often and be more severe, unless action is taken, no one I know of is saying "the present bushfires in NSW have totally been caused by climate change."

A great effort by the Fireies and other volunteers yesterday, their hard work paid off in saving people and their homes in the Blue Mountains and other places.

Is Mise; Your last comment about Adam Bandt, is a typical "kill the messenger" comment. your entitled to your opinion, and any politician is fair game. So say what you like.

My last comment, Paul, about Bandt being a weevil in the flour of Australian politics was what is known as a typically "smart-arse comment"; something that you should recognize.

Bandt's sin was in jumping in to score a political point whilst the devastation was occurring, had he waited till things, and embers, had cooled off a bit then there would have been no cause for criticism.

He was criticized for crass insensitivity not his message.

"smart-arse comment" Is Mise, I wouldn't know, I certainly wouldn't make such a comment myself, even though they come thick and fast from some on here of the conservative ilk, directed at myself and other progressive thinking people, along with Green polys. I suppose that is the norm for a political forum.
I must say your comment was original.