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Protests Erupt as Australia's Bushfire Crisis Continues

Phil Mercer

   SYDNEY - Climate change rallies have been held in Australia by
   thousands of protesters critical of the government's handling of the
   bushfire crisis. A demonstration in Sydney has reportedly attracted
   30,000 people, while events have also been held in other major cities.

   "Sack the prime minister," protesters chanted as they turned on
   Australia's conservative leader, Scott Morrison. He is accused of not
   taking global warming seriously and of underplaying its role in the
   bushfire emergency. Protesters believe that "fossil fuel loving
   politicians" have overseen "decades of climate destruction."

   They want the Morrison government to phase out the use of fossil fuels.
   That is unlikely given their immense value to the Australian economy.
   Coal generates much of the nation's electricity and earns billions of
   dollars through exports to China, India and other countries.

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