Australia fires are harbinger of planet’s future, say scientists

Apocalyptic scenes give glimpse of what would be normal conditions in 3C world

The bushfires ravaging Australia are a clear sign of what is to come around the world if temperatures are allowed to rise to dangerous levels, according to scientists.

"This is what you can expect to happen " at an average of 3C [above pre-industrial levels]," said Richard Betts, professor of geography at Exeter University. "We are seeing a sign of what would be normal conditions in a 3C world. It tells us what the future world might look like. This really brings home what climate change means."