I grew up in a community that was intermittently threatened by bushfires. Every summer, I still worry about my family, who remain at risk from wildfires, the frequency and intensity of which are being amplified by climate change.
This spring has already seen NSW endure our worst fire disaster in a decade, underpinned by the warmest October day and warmest year on record.
Climate change is exacerbating bushfires and other natural disasters that pose a direct threat to lives and property.
Perversely, Tony Abbott plans to terminate Australia’s world-leading price on pollution that is starting to transition the Australian economy away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy.
If Tony Abbott succeeds, Australia will be the first nation in world to repeal a price on carbon, a shameful blemish on our international reputation that will harm the health and the way of life of ordinary Australians.
The increasingly clear evidence of climate change will continue to pose a stark reminder of Tony Abbott’s failure to act as responsible prime minister.
While I sympathise with all those who have recently lost homes and loved ones, you know there is something seriously wrong with the climate-change debate in Australia when you see more people behind fire evacuation roadblocks than marching in the street demanding action to combat global warming.
Graeme Williams, Mullumbimby
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
