As Australia burns, public concern over the need for greater action against the devastating bushfire season and climate change is igniting.
Dozens of bushfires continue to burn across the nation's east coast with the effects of these blazes ranging from razed homes on the frontlines to smoke choking metropolitan centres.
The fire season has captured international attention with media outlets from the New York Times to the BBC drawing attention to criticism against the Morrison government’s inaction on climate change. 
The Climate Council has also laid fresh blame on the Federal government, accusing it of being “out of touch” with the action Australians are demanding.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Source: AAP
“It is irresponsible not to connect the dots – it is absolutely clear … that climate change is exacerbating dangerous bushfire conditions,” the Climate Council's Dr Martin Rice told SBS News.
“Australia must act on climate change it must join the global collective effort – we’re falling woefully behind and Australians are paying the price.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has declared his government is heeding warnings over the connection between climate change and severe bushfires.
He has said the contribution of global weather trends to conditions in Australia are "known and acknowledged," and the government is "taking action" on climate change "not just jabbering on about it”.
The Department of Environment and Energy released the “Australia’s emissions projections 2019” report on Sunday citing the nation would exceed its 2030 Paris target by 16 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
But Dr Rice said the numbers point to a “dodgy accounting” trick through using “carry-over” credits to reach the commitment, symptomatic of a failure to respond to the "escalating climate crisis".
NSW Fire and Rescue officers hoses down his truck as his crew battle a bushfire encroaching on properties near Termeil on the Princes Highway. Source: AAP
“Australia is on the frontline of the escalating crisis, now is not the time to cut corners on climate,” he said.
“We need to actually prepare our emergency services and our fire services and our community for the escalating threats.”
‘We can see, smell and feel the changing climate’
Mr Morrison visited NSW firefighters at the RFS Control Centre in Hawkesbury on Sunday, paying tribute to their “amazing work” fighting against months of blazes.
More than 90 fires were burning across NSW alone on Sunday evening and there are fears of worsening conditions when temperatures soar later this week.
NSW Rural firefighters battle fires near Mangrove Mountain, NSW. Source: AAP
Amid these conditions, Labor has again urged Mr Morrison to hold an urgent COAG meeting to prepare Australia for the bushfire season.
“We can see, smell and feel the changing climate but our Government says we’re only imagining it,” Opposition leader Anthony Albanese said over the weekend.
More than 680 homes have been destroyed and six people have lost their lives during bushfires, which have been labelled unprecedented for their severity so early in the season.
Mr Morrison said he has taken advice about the impact of climate change from existing fire chiefs about the harsh fire conditions.
But he has faced criticism for not meeting with a group of ex-fire chiefs, at the centre of a petition signed by more than 100,000 Australians which calls for a national emergency summit.
“Some of our most experienced firefighters couldn’t even get the ear of this Government to warn them about this fire season – all because they accepted the reality of climate change,” Mr Albanese said.
Beachgoers on Milk Beach as smoke haze from bushfires in New South Wales blankets Sydney. Source: AAP
Last week during question time Mr Morrison said “the coordinated effort between Federal, state and local agencies” had been exemplary in response to bushfires.
‘Climate change is Australia’s labyrinth without an exit’
The horrific fire conditions have spawned international headlines about Australia's response with the New York Times writing the fires revealed “once again” that Australia’s “pragmatism stops at climate change”.
The outlet cited political spats over climate changes and the link to bushfires including Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack’s jibe against “raving inner-city lunatics”, The Greens.
“Climate change is Australia’s labyrinth without an exit, where its pragmatism disappears,” the New York Times wrote.
One of those Greens, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young again took aim at Mr Morrison this weekend over his government’s response.
“Our nation is our fire,” she said.
“Australians deserve better than politicians with their heads in the sand.”
The bushfires have also raised concerns over air quality as
Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull cited the haze of smoke as he returned on a flight to Sydney mounting pressure over the need for more action in response to climate change.
“The reality of climate change – hotter and drier means more fires,” he said.
“We have to accelerate the move to zero-emission energy. It will mean a safer planet for our children and more affordable energy.”
‘Here is where our neighbourhood usually celebrate Xmas’
Prime Minister Morrison has also come under fire over his attendance at Lachlan Murdoch’s Christmas drinks in Sydney last Thursday as smoke haze settled over the city.
He reportedly took a jet to fly from Canberra to Sydney to briefly attend the event at the Bellevue Hill mansion of the son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch.
Bronwyn Adcock said her community of was “skipping Xmas parties this year” as they were “too busy fleeing for our lives, defending property [and] crowdfunding for RFS".
In response to Black Saturday bushfires in 2009, then-PM Kevin Rudd offered $10 million in emergency financial help to bushfire victims and promised to make the Australian Defence Force available for recovery efforts.
Mr Rudd himself has called on Mr Morrison to “change course” accusing him of being part of a “decade of climate change denial” as part of the Coalition government.
“Time to admit you were dead wrong. And change course,” he said.
Senate Leader Mathias Cormann on Sunday told ABC's Insiders the Morrison government was responding to the needs of the bushfires as required.
“If and when additional support is required, then, of course, we would consider that, but right now as we speak, you know, we obviously planned for this bushfire season and we have put significant measures in place and we have put significant measures in place for the future too,” he said.
