Australia's summers are getting longer and hotter, and the data hides extreme heat. While the overall average temperatures have risen by just over 1 degree Celsius since the 1950s, it's the day-to-day temperatures that impact our lives. In my opinion, this is particularly fascinating because it shows how climate change is unfolding in real-time, and how our memories and perceptions can be biased by emotional experiences. As a result, we may not fully grasp the urgency of the situation. Personally, I think this is a critical issue because it highlights the need for immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the changing climate. What makes this particularly interesting is that the increase in extreme heat days is most noticeable in the capital cities, with Adelaide and Canberra experiencing the most significant jumps. In my view, this is a clear indication of the impact of climate change on our daily lives. From my perspective, the reality of today's summers is that they are becoming longer and hotter, and the data hides extreme heat. This is especially clear since the turn of the millennium, when days over 42C in Melbourne have occurred as many times as they did in the 90 years before that. What many people don't realize is that the rarer the extreme, the more obvious that increase is in the charts. In my opinion, this is a critical issue because it highlights the need for immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the changing climate. One thing that immediately stands out is that the increase in extreme heat days can be seen in most capital cities, with Adelaide and Canberra experiencing the most significant jumps. What this really suggests is that the changing climate is having a profound impact on our daily lives, and we need to take action to mitigate its effects. If you take a step back and think about it, it's clear that the changing climate is not just a distant threat, but a present-day reality. The season's changing shape is another fascinating aspect of this issue. Summer isn't just getting hotter; for some, it's also getting longer. This is most noticeable in Canberra, but Adelaide and Perth also show a noticeable change. In my view, this is a critical issue because it highlights the need for immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the changing climate. What many people don't realize is that the changing climate is not just a distant threat, but a present-day reality. The 'moderating' influence of the coast is also an interesting aspect of this issue. Brisbane and Sydney do not see the same strong increase in extreme heat days because the observing sites for both cities sit close to the coast, which can help to moderate the really high temperatures during the summer months. However, this does not mean that the changing climate is not having an impact on these regions. In my opinion, this is a critical issue because it highlights the need for immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the changing climate. The signature of this summer is a great example of how extremes can hide in the data. Overall, Australia's summer was warm but not remarkable. However, within the season, there were several remarkable events, such as major heatwaves, bushfires, and flooding. In my view, this is a critical issue because it highlights the need for immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the changing climate. As summers change, so do we. Of course, as our climate has changed, so has our ability to handle it. Robert Tucker, a local from Renmark, remembers growing up without the luxuries of air conditioning. In my opinion, this is a critical issue because it highlights the need for immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the changing climate. What many people don't realize is that the changing climate is not just a distant threat, but a present-day reality. However, while we quickly get used to this new climate, we can't let it outrun the necessary further changes to adapt and prevent it from getting worse. In my opinion, this is a critical issue because it highlights the need for immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the changing climate. If we believe the idea that people are slowly shifting their baseline and perception of what counts as remarkable types of weather, then the urgency with which to change is not quite so prominent. This is not just a consideration for the current generation, but for those to come. Of course, the climate has always changed, but what we're seeing now is the rate in which the climate is changing is faster than any part of our Earth system can keep up with. If you care about your grandkids, then you should care about climate change.
