The Intelligence from The Economist Scorched-earth policies: Australia and climate change
Jan 10, 2020
In this riveting discussion, Eleanor Whitehead, Australia correspondent for The Economist, shares firsthand accounts of the devastating bushfires ravaging Australia, exposing the dire impact of climate change and government inaction. Meanwhile, Robert Guest, the publication's foreign editor, recounts his trip to the Museum of Disgusting Food in Malmo, exploring how cultural perceptions of food shape social attitudes. They also touch on Japan's new naming conventions, revealing shifting global confidence and identity.
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Devastation in Australia
- Australian fires have burned over 11 million hectares, destroying 2,000 homes and killing countless animals.
- Firefighters report seeing kangaroos fleeing the burning bush.
Balmoral's Destruction
- Firefighter Brendan O'Connor gave a tour of Balmoral, a village ravaged by five fire fronts.
- The town's destruction was severe, with homes reduced to rubble and trees standing like matchsticks.
Dangers of Firefighting
- Firefighting in Australia is immensely dangerous, with fires burning at extremely high temperatures.
- Tragically, two young fathers in their 20s, who were firefighters, died battling the flames.