Australia is currently being engulfed by the worst wildfires seen in decades. Dozens of fires erupted in New South Wales, Australia, forcing the government to declare a state of emergency in November 2019. The Australian fires ignited in various ways: some started from lightning, while others started from human actions. They quickly spread to other areas of the country, causing everyone to be in a complete state of shock. At least 33 people are dead and more than 3,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged.
Thousands of people were forced to evacuate, and had no choice but to seek shelter on beaches across New South Wales and Victoria. A recent Australian Institute survey found that 57 percent of Australians have been directly affected by the bush fires or their smoke.To make circumstances even worse, an estimated 1.25 billion animals have been lost, and scientists fear long-term damage to many sensitive ecosystems which can’t be reversible.
Australian fires have incinerated the habitats of up to 100 threatened species. According to the World Wildlife Fund in Australia, as many as 1.25 billion animals may have been killed directly or indirectly from fires that have scorched Australia. The loss includes thousands of precious koalas, along with other iconic species such as kangaroos, wallabies, gliders, potoroos, cockatoos and honeyeaters. There are estimates that up to 30% of koalas (as many as 8,400 koalas) may have perished during fires on the mid-north coast of New South Wales. Fires have also burned through critical habitat of native Australian mammals such as the long-footed potoroo, the mountain pygmy possum, the yellow-bellied glider, the brush-tailed rock wallaby, and endangered bird species such as the regent honeyeater. The fires have taken an enormous toll on wildlife, with huge numbers of mammals, birds, reptiles and insects perished.
Although Australia has been enduring its hottest and driest year on record, no one could even fathom that a fire this destructive could ignite and impact the country as much as it has. The climate conditions provide fuel for the fires to grow and continuously spread at a rapid pace.
Much of the severe heat was accompanied by brisk winds across much of Australia, which increases fire risks and spreads blazes. The fires that have burned across Australia are not just destroying lives, but are also turning huge forests into nothing but ash. As a result, people are frustrated by Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s nonchalant response to this crisis. He denies the fact that climate change plays a major role in the spread of this fire, and he has signaled no change in his policies even as 33 people have died, hundreds of homes have been destroyed, and more than 12 million acres have burned.
“The thing that strikes everyone about the present situation is the federal government’s disengagement and lethargy, to put it politely,” said Bill Hare, director of Climate Analytics, a policy institute. People are disappointed in the federal government’s lack of participation and believe that the government is not doing enough to stop it. Rather than raising awareness and informing the world about what’s really going on, they are sugar coating the harsh reality and are denying that climate change is partially the reason this deadly fire has started in the first place. Although the government is not helping as much as they should be, thousands of activists marched in several major cities, such as Melbourne and Sydney, while calling the government to act on the climate crisis and do more to stop the bushfires that continue to ravage through the country.
Along with actively protesting and raising awareness, it would be very much appreciated by Australian residents if we could donate money and resources to those in Australia. Replanting trees and other vegetation will be crucial in order to revive the land and trees lost during this horrific fire. Some ecosystems will be able to recover in a few years, others will take decades, and some more than a century. However, some may never recover to anything like their former condition. With thousands of people displaced and a billion wildlife populations gutted, there are many ways that we can and should get involved to help.
Places to Donate:
1. Australian Red Cross
The Australian Red Cross has helped to send 1,285 staff members and volunteers to communities affected by the fires and to provide support for displaced people. The Red Cross says clothing and household goods can be given to Red Cross-affiliated shops, or suggests holding fund-raising events.
2. GIVIT
GIVIT is an Australian organization that donates goods and items that are requested by victims of the fires.
3. Salvation Army Australia
The Salvation Army advises donors to send money instead of goods due to the difficulties of storing and distributing goods in areas affected by the fires.
4. Koala Hospital Port Macquarie
This koala hospital in New South Wales is accepting donations to fund the rescue, treatment and release of koalas, as well as research and education about koalas.
5. St. Vincent de Paul Society
This organization consists of more than 60,000 members and volunteers who help people in need across Australia. Any donation, big or small, could make a positive change in someone’s life.