The Economic Perspective 15 March 2025
- klarsen94
- Mar 14
- 2 min read
The Latest Trending Economic News Curated for You by Balmoral Group Australia
This week, we explore the growing challenge of heatwaves in Australia, both historically and in modern times. The Black Friday bushfires of 1939 serve as a stark reminder of the deadly impact of extreme heat, with at least 420 lives lost in the lead-up to the fires. Before air conditioning, Australians adapted by sleeping on beaches, a practice that not only provided physical relief but also fostered community interaction. These past coping strategies highlight the resilience of Australian communities, as well as the long-term economic impact on healthcare systems, the workforce, and regional economies.
Today, as rising temperatures continue to strain Australian cities, new solutions are emerging. CSIRO’s interactive tool aims to help cities like Darwin become more heat-resilient, while certain regions are projected to face extreme temperatures for two-thirds of the year. With vulnerable populations at the greatest risk, modern technologies like air conditioning are reshaping how we live, but they also come with increased energy demands. Balancing past resilience with innovative solutions will be crucial in mitigating the economic and social impacts of extreme heat in the future.
Our thoughts are with all those affected by Cyclone Alfred, and we hope for everyone’s safety and a swift return to normalcy.
Have a great weekend!
Hot in the city tonight: Scientists help Darwinites beat the heat
Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has released a new interactive tool to help make Australia’s tropical capital - Darwin - a more liveable, sustainable and resilient city. Rising temperatures in urban environments across the country are causing increased heat stress, higher energy demands for cooling, and greater risks to public health, particularly for vulnerable populations. Read more here.
Who will feel the heat? The suburbs in Australia most at risk from extreme heat revealed
People living in older, poorer and regional electorates are at the most risk of extreme heat in the coming decades, with some parts of the country projected to spend two-thirds of the year sweltering above 35C. Read more here.
Air conditioning quietly changed Australian life in just a few decades
Over the past three decades, one technology has snuck into the very centre of Australian life, shaping where and how we live. It influenced the design of our houses and offices, the cars we drive, and the length of our daily commute. It even changed our notion of comfort. Read more here.
Sleeping on beaches and staying social: how Australians kept cool in heatwaves before modern technology
The Black Friday bushfires which swept across southeastern Australia in January 1939 have been remembered as a deadly and traumatic event. Most human deaths, however, occurred during the preceding heatwave – 78 lives were lost to bushfires in mainland southeastern Australia but at least 420 people died as a result of the high temperatures during the preceding week. Find out more here.
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