Australia is no stranger to wildfires, but this season has been unprecedented in scale and intensity - and the summer is far from over. This country’s deadly fires have been fueled by a combination of extreme heat, prolonged drought and strong winds. The country is in the grip of a heatwave, with record-breaking temperatures over the last three months.
In mid-December, the nation saw the hottest day in history - the average temperature was 41.9 degrees Celsius. These conditions, which show few signs of abating in the next few weeks, have been accompanied by brisk winds which fan the flames and push the smoke across Australia’s major cities. Authorities say that wind speeds have been recorded at 60 miles per hour. All this follows the country’s driest spring since records began 120 years ago, with much of New South Wales and Queensland experiencing rainfall shortfalls since early 2017. Trees, shrubs, and grasslands have turned into the perfect tinder for flames.
Bushfires are a regular feature in Australia’s calendar- often triggered by natural causes such as lightning strikes - and cannot be blamed on climate change or rising greenhouse gas emissions alone. However, experts say that the changing climate is the key to understanding the ferocity of this year’s blazes. Hotter and drier conditions are making these phenomena longer and much more dangerous. And Australia’s climate is definitely changing. According to the country’s Bureau of Meteorology, temperatures have already risen by more than one degree Celsius since 1920 - with much of the increase taking place since 1950.
So far the reaction has been largely reactive - aimed at evacuating residents to safety and stopping the blazes from spreading. Australia relies on hundreds of thousands of volunteer firefighters, who have been working around the clock to try and bring the fires under control for months. But in the long term, experts have said that there should be a review of building standards in bushfire zones to create resilient homes and larger buffer zones between the bush and properties.

[I] Urbanization, the process by which an increasing proportion of a population lives in cities and urban areas, has been a defining trend of the 21st century. [II] While it has been associated with economic growth, improved infrastructure, and better access to services, the rapid and often unplanned expansion of cities has also led to significant public health challenges. [III] These challenges are multifaceted, affecting both physical and mental health, and are driven by a complex interplay of factors such as environmental pollution, lifestyle changes, and social inequalities. [IV]
One of the most direct effects of urbanization on health is the increased exposure to environmental pollutants. Cities, especially those in developing countries, often struggle with high levels of air and water pollution. Industrial activities, vehicular emissions, and the burning of fossil fuels contribute to poor air quality, which is a major risk factor for respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Furthermore, water pollution resulting from inadequate waste management systems can lead to the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid. The concentration of pollutants in urban areas, coupled with the high population density, exacerbates the spread of these diseases, putting a significant strain on public health systems.
The urban environment also contributes to lifestyle changes that can negatively impact health. The sedentary lifestyle that is common in cities, driven by the widespread use of motor vehicles and the prevalence of desk-bound jobs, is linked to a rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Urbanization often brings about changes in dietary patterns as well, with a shift towards the consumption of processed foods that are high in fat, sugar, and salt. These dietary changes, combined with reduced physical activity, create a perfect storm for the development of NCDs, which are now the leading cause of death globally.
In addition to physical health, urbanization has profound effects on mental health. The fast-paced and often stressful nature of city life, along with social isolation and the breakdown of traditional community structures, can lead to a rise in mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. The lack of green spaces and recreational areas in many urban environments further exacerbates these issues, as they limit opportunities for physical activity and relaxation, which are crucial for maintaining mental well-being. Moreover, the social inequalities that are often starkly visible in urban areas can contribute to feelings of frustration and hopelessness, particularly among disadvantaged populations.