This is on

This is CBS Eye on the World.

Here's John Bachelor.

It is 1770.

We're with Captain off the coast of what will become Australia.

The Captain records in his log he sees a smoking cape. This moment in history is a way of talking about a

phenomenon that is worldwide and that challenges civilization in the northern hemisphere, Greece, Spain, Italy,

in the southern hemisphere, especially Australia, but Argentina and Chile wildfires, they're called in California, bushfires

are called in Australia. A new book that is an old book, a book that is necessary now and was necessary when it was

written a dozen years ago. A future in flames. Daniel Clode is the author.

Daniel is very generous to come back after I interviewed her about her wonderful

new book, Kowalas, and in the course of that conversation, we talked about the horror of a

wildfire to a koala, koalas cling to their source of energy

which is a eucalyptus tree and eucalyptus in a fire are very dangerous.

Daniel, I congratulate you for having anticipated the fate of the planet

a dozen years ago because we're now in a situation where wildfires we're told are going to

become routine, not rare. And perhaps every year they'll be damage to the

environment, to the economy, and of course to people and wildlife.

I begin with the Captain Cook reference because we need to understand that wildfires are not, or bush fires, are not a

product of civilization. They were always there. What did Captain Cook see?

Well, what was the Cape he was watching? Good evening to you.

Good evening. Lovely to be here.

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