Could the record temperatures be the reason some people believe in climate change? I don't know how January this year will wind up; but January 2019 was the hottest since records have been kept.
Australia records hottest month ever
Australia recorded its hottest month ever in January, with average temperatures exceeding 30C (86F) for the first time.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the extreme heat was "unprecedented" during the country's summer period.
At least five January days were among the 10 warmest on record, with daily national temperature highs of 40C.
The heat has caused wildfire deaths, bushfires and a rise in hospital admissions.
Several wildlife species have also suffered, with reports of mass deaths of wild horses, native bats and fish in drought-affected areas.
The new record surpasses conditions recorded in 2013, previously considered the nation's worst heatwave.
One record high isn't followed by another since there are ups and downs since so many variables are involved in weather; but when you see one record high followed another in 6 or 7 years, you might suspect the general trend is up. What's the daily national temperature so far this January?
What astonishes me is how certain some people are that global warming is a myth. They are so sure they're willing to bet their lives on it. I call that wishful thinking. So keep making wishes and building your houses a few feet from the bush, folks. It'll be okay.
Ignoring safety would be bad enough if global warming is a myth. It could be even worse if the general trend is up for temperatures in Australia. Wind patterns also need to be studied. If there really is climate change, it could affect wind patterns and thus rainfall too.
I saw a photo of houses built next to the bush. I wondered why people would do it. It reminded me of the people in California who seem to like to live close to fire hazards. Why aren't towns surrounded by farms? Could some of the bush be converted to agriculture and planted with species that don't pose a fire hazard if there's little rain? If that's not feasible, are there native plants that would grow in hot and dry places but not pose a fire hazard?
Climate change or no climate change, how people build their houses probably needs to change. Don't blame God or the Devil too much.
Here is a chart that I found at the BBC of average annual temperatures in Australia from 1910 to 2017 as compared to long term average. You should be able to see that the general trend has been up.