JULY 2023: AFCA response to The Australian newspaper climate misinformation cartoon

Response from AFCA to The Australian newspaper publishing this cartoon from John Spooner. We sent this to the paper but they did not publish it.

According to NASA, wildfires across the world are getting worse. There has been a clear increase in the size, number and intensity of fires worldwide. In addition, the number of acres burned has increased through the years. A quick glance at the science will show a clear link between climate change and longer and more intense fire seasons. The Country Fire Authority, CSIRO and World Meteorological Organisation are just a few of the organisations that back this claim.

It is nothing short of appalling for The Australian to continue to platform climate denial such as the Spooner cartoon of 26 July.

As Australia prepares for the potential of a hard and long fire season due to several years of heavy rain and the return of dry and hot El Nino conditions, Spooner’s armchair commentary is an insult to all Australians who will need to dedicate their summer to fighting fires.

Australian Firefighters Climate Alliance