Welcome to our first episode of 2020! There has been a barrage of information circulated about the current Australian bushfires - in the news, on our feeds, at our workplaces and even by friends and families. So today we wanted to add on from our previous episode on the bushfires and give an updated summary of the facts. In this episode we talk about the clear link between climate change and bushfires, as well as some of the controversial myths and misinformation currently circulating. So if you want to know why Australian's are coming for Scott Morrison, how Twitter bots could be behind a misinformation campaign and a happy story about knitting scientists - this is your episode.

We would like to thank the amazing firefighters who are working tirelessly to control the fires and save lives and property. If you and yours have been affected by bushfires, know that our hearts go out to you and we will continue to not only donate, but use whatever platforms we have to encourage others to do the same, and get as many resources to the people at the front line as possible. If you're in a position to donate, check out the links in the show notes and on our instagram @gettinghotinherepodcast for options. Please listen and share this episode as we also chat about other ways you can support the bushfire response and recovery effort.

Please stay safe and look after yourselves. Safety is the number one priority.

What we discussed in this episode:

Current figures as of the 12th of January 2020.

More than 10.7m hectares of Australia has burned since October. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jan/09/australia-fires-victorians-urged-to-leave-amid-fears-heat-spike-will-cause-bushfires-to-merge

At least 29 people have died, with many more missing. Largest peacetime evacuation in Australia's history. Over 100 thousand Australian's have become climate refugees - forced to flee their homes to save their lives.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2020/jan/03/australia-nsw-fires-live-news-victoria-bushfires-rfs-tourist-leave-zone-south-coast-cfa-traffic-near-roads-closed-sydney-melbourne-latest-updates

Estimated 1.25 billion animals deaths. https://www.wwf.org.au/get-involved/bushfire-emergency

Myths and Misinformation

Hazard Reduction

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-10/hazard-reduction-burns-bushfire-prevention-explainer/11853366

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-09/indigenous-cultural-fire-burning-method-has-benefits-experts-say/11853096

Misinformation surrounding temperature records

https://theconversation.com/factcheck-was-the-1896-heatwave-wiped-from-the-record-33742?fbclid=IwAR2v5-TtNyOERn_ZgG47t-iH6HonhCzcZL63BXOS6xcFFFuiV4gTPcnpagY

Murdoch news misinformation

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/08/world/australia/fi...