Interview: Australia’s first climate refugee has his piece of paradise burn in the Black Summer bushfires

Rod Simpson (pictured) was described by a "firey" soon after his property burned in the 2019 Black Summer bushfires as "Australia's first climate refugee".

Rod, whose "piece of paradise" was about 20 kilometres from Drake in northern New South Wales, was fortunate to survive as those climate-induced fires engulfed his home, leaving him, in every sense, with nothing except his two dogs.

As a "greenie" and a student of climate change, Rod had a sense of what was coming, but the reality far exceeded his imagination.

Rod is a man of many parts - he cares about nature and so was deeply entangled in animal rescue; loved the idea of recycling and reuse and so kept busy making and selling his Rare Bags and, beyond that, writes and performs songs - "Fire Song" is featured in this episode.

Having been up close and personal with "The Beast" - the Black Summer bushfires - Rod is now campaigning to help other Australians better understand how climate change can impact their lives.

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