Record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought have fuelled a series of huge bushfires across the whole of Australia, causing unprecedented destruction to wildlife and livelihoods. At the time of writing, 27 people have been killed by the bushfires including 4 fireman, and an estimated 10 million hectares (the equivalent of 15.6 million acres) of bush, forest and parks across Australia have burned. Recent rain across Australia has brought much needed relief and put out many of the bushfires, but large parts of Australia remain on fire as the crisis is far from over.
In the worst hit state, New-South Wales (where I will be in two months time), bushfires have affected more than five million hectares, destroying more than 1,800 houses and forcing thousands of people to seek shelter. The number of blazes has more than halved since the first week of January, but there are still more than 69 active bushfires.
Each state runs it’s own emergency operation, but Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has responded to the disastrous bushfires by pledging for better funding for firefighting and payouts for volunteer firefighters, as well as an additional £1 billion for the recovery. However, the Australian Prime Minister has come under intense scrutiny, with opponents arguing the Government isn’t doing enough to combat the climate change emergency.
The intense anger towards the Prime Minister has been fuelled by his holiday in Hawaii whilst his nation was facing a bushfire crisis. His office had initial denied reports of the trip but he was later made to confess following immense pressure. Morrison later apologised, stating ‘I deeply regret any offence caused to any of the many Australians affected by the terrible bushfires by my taking leave with my family at this time’.
Australia’s coal-dependent economy has ranked it as one of the worlds biggest per capita greenhouse gas emitters. The 2020 Climate Change Performance Index ranked Australia last of 57 countries for it’s climate change policy, saying it had gone backwards under Scott Morrisons leadership. Moreover, the UN has also identified Australia as one of seven G20 nations needing to do more on their climate change promises.
This fuelled protests as thousands stormed Australia’s streets, calling for the Government to urgently act on the climate crisis and to take more actions to end the bushfires that continue to destroy large swathes of the country. More than 30,000 protestors attended the march in Sydney, carrying signs that read ‘Koalas not coal’ and ‘Change the system, not the climate’, with much of the criticism being directed towards Scott Morrison.
The world has watched in horror as bushfires have torn across Australia and have reponsed with immense support to communities in need. One fundraiser for fire services in New South Wales, launched by Australian comedian Celeste Barber raised more than £10.6 million in its first 48 hours and has now reached an astonishing £26.5 million.
Kylie Minogue, Elton John and Chris Hemsworth are among those who have made donations. There has also been an outpour of support for animals, with people around the world knitting blankets and protective pouches for wildlife whose homes have been destroyed in the crisis. Also, firefighters from the United States, Canada and New Zealand have flown in to assist Australian crews, whom are exhausted by the never ending battle. This global response effort has been welcomed by many and demonstrates how the severe tragedy needs worldwide attention.
These responses and donations are being welcomed with open arms as many communities struggle to rebuild their lives. But money can only do so much.
Money can’t undo the damage that’s already been done. Money can’t fix climate change. Only people can make substantial changes that can lesser the impact of climate change. And this has to be a worldwide effort, Australia can’t do it on it’s own. So what we can do to stop future tragedies like this happening is reducing our carbon footprint, whether that be reducing our flights or following a plant-based diet, it’s a step in the right direction.