Around 100 people formed a circle at the Queen Victoria Building on January 5 to call for urgent government intervention on the fire emergency, support for the firefighters, and real action to combat climate change. The vigil was organised by Extinction Rebellion Sydney.
A leaflet distributed to passers-by was headed, βActions speak louder than βthoughts and prayersβ.β
It quoted Greg Mullins, a former NSW Fire and Rescue Commissioner, stating: βIf itβs not the time now to speak about climate change and whatβs driving these events, when?β
βItβs very clear. Any fire service will tell you that the windows for hazard reduction through the winter are getting narrower and narrower.
βNow, a slight lift in temperature overall, average temperature, means the extremes are more extreme. The scientists are very clear, the numbers are very clear,β the flyer stated.