[20200311]IF11453_澳大利亚：火灾凸显政府的气候挑战.pdf

https:/crsreports.congress.gov March 11, 2020Australia: Fires Highlight Governments Climate ChallengeOverview The recent devastating bush fires in Australia highlight the countrys growing dilemma over climate change. Australias economy remains heavily weighted toward extractive industries, leading to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions linked to climate change. A growing portion of voters see climate change as a threat to Australias vital interests. Many are pressuring Prime Minister Scott Morrisons right of center Liberal-National Party Coalition to take additional steps to reduce emissions and combat climate change. Figure 1. Australia Fires Sept. 2019Jan. 2020 Source: Created by CRS using data from NASA (FIRMS MODIS and/or VIIRS Fire/Hotspot) and ESRI. The Fires According to the Australian government, “Australia is one of the most fire prone regions in the world.” Nonetheless, the 2019-2020 fires were extraordinary. (See Figure 1.) More than 27.2 million acres of vegetation, 33 people, an estimated one billion animals, and over 2,500 homes were lost to bushfires in Australia in the 2019-2020 fire season. (Fire Season normally lasts from October 1 to March 31.) The area burned is lar