This summer of 2019-20 is shaping up as a “terrible trifecta” of heatwaves, drought and bushfires exacerbated by inaction on climate change, the Climate Council says.

The burning of coal, oil and gas is supercharging extreme weather events, putting Australian lives, and the economy and environment at risk, the Council’s latest report says.

“There is no leadership, no national plan, no vision, and no coherent policies,” it says. “The catastrophic events that are unfolding in Australia are not ‘normal’. Now is the time to act decisively and swiftly.”

The council says states, territories, towns and cities are leading the way on climate action while the Federal Government “has no credible pathway for reducing emissions.”

“Australia must contribute to the global effort to deeply and rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and we must prepare our fire and emergency services and communities for worsening extreme weather events,” the report says.

Eastern Australia is currently in the grip of prolonged drought and the latest Bureau of Meteorology outlook is for hot conditions for most of Australia and a dry eastern Australia in summer.