Australia is 'ground zero' in climate crisis and must show leadership, top researchers say

Adaptation to bushfires might not be achievable without stronger action to curb emissions, letter warns

Australia's current position as "ground zero" for both the impacts of climate change and policy uncertainty presents an opportunity for the country to emerge as a leader in responding to the climate crisis, according to Australian Research Council laureates.

In a letter signed by 80 ARC laureate fellows, some of Australia's top researchers said claims strong action to cut emissions would be economically destructive have no basis and are not "consistent with Australia's traditional optimism and ingenuity, nor with historical experience".