Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Scientists: Climate Change Increased Risk of Australian Wildfires 30% VOA News A new scientific study shows climate change was 30% more likely to have triggered the recent devastating bushfires in Australia. The study was conducted by an international group of scientists from Europe, Australia and the United States for World Weather Attribution, an independent agency that analyzes the possible influence of climate change on extreme weather events. Using the latest high-resolution computer models, the scientists found that temperatures are 1-2 degrees Celsius higher than in 1900, and the risk for fire is four times more likely compared with the conditions in the same year. More than 19 million hectares were destroyed during Australia's 2019-20 wildfire season, which also killed 34 people and more than 1 billion animals.