"Australia Fires" by Daniel E.
(Above is a 3D visualization of the Australian fires by Anthony Hearsey, an image maker who specialises in photography, retouching and creative imaging)
As Australia continues to burn, since September over 24 million of land has been burned, it is claimed that it is one of the country's worst fire seasons on record. The area that has been burned in Australia is twelve more times the size of the area that was burned in California in 2018. The fire has already killed 28 people, and have destroyed over 2,000 homes. The breathing is as bad as smoking 19 cigarettes. An estimate of 1 Billion animals have been lost, and scientists believe this could have a long-term damage to many ecosystems.
Australia’s bushfires have released 400 megatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The fires ignited amid a record-breaking heat wave. One reason the fires could be to blame is climate change but so is weather variability. “Australia’s climate has warmed by just over 1° C since 1910, leading to an increase in the frequency of extreme heat events,” according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology’s 2018 State of the Climate report.
Around 244 species of mammals are found only in Australia. A staggering 1 billion animals are now estimated dead, though there’s a good deal of uncertainty in that figure. Other animals have not been burned alive but have faced death due to the destruction of their natural environment, which they rely on for food and shelter.But it’s not just charismatic animals like koalas (of which around 8,000 have died, while others are desperate for water).
(Sam Mitchell, owner of the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, carries a dead koala and kangaroo to a mass grave)
Thousands of birds, including our iconic yellow-tailed black cockatoos, died of exhaustion when they flew out to sea to escape the fires; their bodies washed up on beaches in East Gippsland. And our southern skies have been a smoky haze for days. More bad news will follow when rains wash vast quantities of ash from the fires into our waterways.
With just being a terrible time for Australia, to add some “gas” to the fires, the smoke coming from the fires is making it worse. The smoke can cause their own weather by forming clouds. Once the smoke has risen, it cools, and a cloud forms, it could be a simple rain, or a thunderstorm can develop.
But forecasters say it's not yet clear if the rain will fall where it's needed most in the coming days, or whether there will be enough of it to make a difference in fire-ravaged and drought-stricken areas. But since the smoke is causing storms, it could cause more problems. So far there hasn't been enough rain to put out fires, and lightning from the storms has also sparked new blazes.
What do you think about the fires? Should there be more foreign aid? Do you think it is as bad as a problem as the media treating it? Have you seen the ads for the donations?
Work Cited
“Australia Fires: A Visual Guide to the Bushfire Crisis.” BBC News, BBC, 13 Jan.
2020, www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-50951043.
Resnick, Brian, et al. “8 Things Everyone Should Know about Australia's Wildfire
Disaster.” Vox, Vox, 13 Jan. 2020, www.vox.com/science-and-health/2020/1/8/21055228/australia-fires-map-animals-koalas-wildlife-smoke-donate.
Wright, Alexis. “Want to Stop Australia's Fires? Listen to Aboriginal People.” The New
York Times, The New York Times, 16 Jan. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/01/15/opinion/australia-fires-aboriginal-people.html.
I am very worried that so many species are exclusively located in Australia, because now there is a good chance that not very many of those species will be able to survive there. I think foreign aid should be present and that we should be doing everything in our power to help restore Australia’s health.
ReplyDeleteIt is crazy to think that there are 244 species of animals exclusively located in Australia. It is even more crazy to see that over 1 billion animals have died because of these wild fires. I personally believe that there should be a lot more foreign help. Australia contains many exotic and very interesting plants and animals. If something is not done the fires will continue and they will become stronger. Not only will it be harder for animals to live, but for people to continue to live healthy in Australia.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a major problem that goes to show how much we need to stop climate change. I do think that this needs more foreign aid, Australia has major biodiversity and it would be terrible if we lost those species. I have always heard that someday in my lifetime children will look at rhinos the same way they look at unicorns and if these fires continue to spread as they do there may be no more kangaroos or koalas.
ReplyDeleteI think these fires are devastating and will have a lasting impact for years to come. It is worrisome to know that so many species are only found in Australia, and that they are all in danger. I believe any foreign aid is good and as of now i have heard of a lot of people, supplies, and money form all around the world is going to Australia to help with the fires. Since I am not there i can not say if the media is making it out to be worse than it is or if they are not making it as bad as it is, but just from the numbers and facts that have been put out, it seems to be horrific.
ReplyDeleteI have been following what's been going on in Australia for awhile now and the loss of so many animals astounds me. I agree with everyone else about Australia needing more foreign aid. Australia needs the rest of the worlds support now more than ever and we should continue to help take care of their beautiful country. I'm especially worried about how many animals native to Australia right now and how some animals, like the koala, are functionally now extinct. I think we need to do everything in our power to help save the wildlife before it's too late.
ReplyDeleteThis whole situation is depressing and very serious. It has given many people the opportunity to donate. Lately, it seems like people are making situations, and then announcing the wrong reasoning. The public should know the root cause of the fires, since there have ben hundreds of arrests. If people deliberately started the fires, their punishment should be very public for everyone to see.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very pressing matter, not only are the animals of Australia but their gorgeous climate is as well. The cause of the fire has been linked to some individuals in Australia that purposely caused the fires to burn their forests. I feel like they should be punished for doing this and more people should try to calm the raging fires instead of contributing to them. Hearing of the devastation it is causing their environment, people, and animals is heartbreaking. I can only hope that everyone does everything they can to put a stop to it
ReplyDeleteThe Bush fires in Australia are appearing to be a more serious and devastating situation as we get further into the new year. Once the flames are finally put out it will take a while for the Australian Bush to recover to its former natural beauty. Hopefully these wildfires can be stopped before it is too late. Also, It is hard to believe someone would intentionally destroy wildlife. That is tragic and doesn't seem to have any justification to me.
ReplyDeleteNeedless to say, the fires are a legitimate issue. With the amount of damage that has been done, and continues to be done, it will certainly take some time for the Australian Bush's ecosystem to fully recover. Efforts to subdue the fires have been relentless and Australia needs all the help it can get. This is definitely an issue that all nations can pitch into to help. Its not a matter of politics or foreign superiority, its a matter of good human nature. Sometimes nations just have to put politics to the side and help out someone who truly needs. Australia truly needs all the help they can get. Its also inspiring to see the out pour of support from not just other nations, but everyday people as well.
ReplyDelete