This is a letter to my local member of parliament about climate change increasing the number of bushfires in Australia and some possible solutions for this issue such as reintroducing the carbon tax in Australia.

Letter to Ben Morton MP

Dear Mr. Morton,

My name is Isabella Podesta and I am a member of your electorate and a student at All Saints College. I am writing to you to ask for your support with the bushfires in Australia and the global warming that is causing them.

As you would be aware, these bushfires have had a big impact on our economy and people. Last year 71 people died, over 1,000 homes were destroyed and between 1.5 – 2 billion hectares of land were burned. The total cost of this damage was about $100 billion. These fires have had a devastating effect on the whole of Australia and it is predicted that if we don’t improve this issue then the number of fires in Australia will increase by 50% before 2050.

As the temperature rises, the water in the ground is evaporated, making the soil dry and the vegetation in this area becomes more flammable, making it more likely to burn. Climate change is the main reason that this issue is occurring and to help slow climate change we need to cut back on carbon emissions.

52% of the carbon emissions in Australia are produced by stationary energy, which is mainly caused by large factories and oil refineries. To help cut back on carbon emissions Australia could reintroduce carbon taxes. As you would be aware, carbon taxes were first introduced in Australia in 2012 and were predicted to reduce carbon emissions by 2% annually. This means that after 25 years of implementing the carbon tax, emissions should reduce by 50%.

I understand that after pressure from the public and the opposition at the time the carbon tax was repealed in 2014 as it resulted in increased energy prices for both households and industry. However, I argue that this tax should be reinstated as it will greatly improve our climate change and bushfire situation here in Australia.

Once again, I ask you to reintroduce the carbon tax in Australia to further improve our carbon emissions plan and in turn, help to lower the number of bushfires Australia has annually.

Yours sincerely

Isabella Podesta