Barry Traill on fighting fires in a changing climate

Dr Barry Traill has spent more than 40 years working to protect Australia's forests and wildlife.

As a scientist, conservationist and volunteer firefighter, he's witnessed firsthand how climate change is making bushfires more dangerous and unpredictable.

Now, he's one of 10 Australians behind the Hard Truths case, a landmark human rights complaint against the Australian Government over climate harm linked to Australia's coal and gas exports. The claimants are respresented by Environmental Justice Australia, the Human Rights Law Centre and Earthjustice.

In this short film, Barry shares how bushfires have changed over his lifetime, the devastating impacts he's witnessed on people, communities and nature, and why he's calling on the Australian Government to take responsibility for the climate pollution caused by Australia's fossil fuel exports.

In June 2026, 10 Australians brought a complaint to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, arguing that Australia's continued approval and support of coal and gas exports, without a credible plan to prevent dangerous climate harm, breaches its international human rights obligations.

Meet the other nine Australians behind the case and learn more at hardtruthscase.org.au.

Filming: Rebecca Parker | Editing: Cam Suttie, Know Studio

A film by Environmental Justice Australia, the Human Rights Law Centre and Earthjustice.

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