The link between climate change and the unprecedented bushfire season of 2019-2020 recently detailed in the NSW independent inquiry into the fires has now been backed up at a federal level.
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The Bushfire Royal Commission released its interim observations this week as it continues to consider over 1700 submissions and the evidence of 290 witnesses.
No recommendations have been made yet, but the interim report details nearly 150 observations likely to inform the final report in October.
The report states the need to prepare for an increased risk of fires and other natural disasters as a result of climate change.
"Australia's weather and climate agencies have told us that changes to the climate are projected to increase the frequency and intensity of natural disasters in Australia," the report reads.
"Additionally, as the 2019-2020 bushfire season demonstrated, bushfire behaviour has become more extreme and less predictable."
The statement echoes findings of the NSW inquiry, with the final report stating increased greenhouse gas emissions "clearly played a role in the conditions that led up to the fires and in the unrelenting conditions that supported the fires to spread."
Tumbarumba's Sue Townsend, who lost her home in the Dunns Road fire at the start of the year, said there was "no doubt" the fires were caused by human behaviour.
"We have brought this on ourselves through our overconsumption and our mistreatment of the environment," she said.
Dr Townsend said there needed to be a "multi-pronged approach" to both manage the increased risks caused by climate change and to work to turn it around.
"None of our governments have taken this seriously and they put money over the life of people," she said.
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Jenny McKinnon from the Riverina Greens said the reports were a message to those still skeptical about the impact of climate change.
"Unless we, first of all, do something about climate change and unless we prepare a lot better for the summer bushfire seasons, it's just going to be a world of problems for us," she said.
Ms McKinnon said division among politicians on acknowledging the human contributions to climate change was still holding change back.
"What we need around this is leadership, leadership at both the federal and state levels that brings their parliamentary colleagues along with them, but also talks to the general public about what we all need to be doing to help improve our climate in general," she said.
