Environmental Emergency
Everywhere you look there are signs of climate change. From the melting ice caps and loss of polar bears, wildlife and their habitats to the warming of the oceans and with it the subsequent demise of coral reefs and sea life. Our world has been irrevocably changed by mankind’s greed.
Some of the latest catastrophic losses are occurring in Australia.
What Have We Done? Environmental Emergency – Wild Fires Burning In Australia
The apocalyptic fires have killed 24 people and have destroyed more than 1,500 homes, ravaging through over fifteen million hectares of land (over three times as much land as the Amazon fire).
Half a billion animals have been killed including over 8,000 koalas.
The numbers are so staggering it is difficult to comprehend.
Realizing we’ve permanently altered our planet and its future is heartbreaking. The planet doesn’t belong to us. We are but one species living here and we have ruined it for all.
Before The Fires
I was lucky enough to spend three weeks in southern Australia in 2006. Seeing the devastation incurred throughout the region is beyond heartbreaking. The sense of loss is overwhelming.
At a time like this I feel showing photos of myself or what I’m wearing is irrelevant, inappropriate and indecent.
Instead, I am sharing some photos from a scrapbook I created of our trip in tribute to the extreme losses incurred by the animals, land and people of Australia.
The photos below were taken on Kangaroo Island, a refuge for some of the country’s most endangered creatures, located just off the coast of southern Australia. At this point over 30% of Kangaroo Island has burned.
Kangaroos were abundant on the Island when we were there. With wild fires raging they will have nowhere to escape.
Teams arrived to Kangaroo Island today to help euthanize livestock and wild animals injured in the blazes.
This little koala above was hanging out near a cabin where we stayed on the Island.
Koalas are not able to move quickly to escape the fires which is why so many have succumb to the flames.
The koala above has been severely burned. It will take extra efforts and care to ensure he lives.
How Can You Help?
If you are looking for ways to help you can donate to WIRES Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organization
, WIRES (New South Wales Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc.), to help animals in the midst of the bushfires.In addition to WIRES we helped the koalas at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital in New South Wales. You can contribute to a GoFundMe campaign to rescue koalas by rehydrating them and treating their burns in the hospital.
Life Changes
Ultimately to slow down and ideally stop climate change we need to change our habits and lifestyle. I’ve written previously about some easy changes I’ve made to my life in an effort to fight climate change on a personal level.
Vote For Change
It is up to us to choose governments that will impose regulations and fines on industries that pollute and exploit the planet’s resources. Gas and oil companies whose carbon pollution has helped cause the climate crisis, and in turn created these extreme fire conditions in Australia, need to be held accountable. They need to pay for the loss of life and land out of their earnings.
We are in the midst of an emergency that requires actions, not words.
Educate yourself and take responsibility for your choices. Stand up for the animals and the earth. It’s the only home we have.
Some films I recommend to educate yourself about climate change are; Before The Flood, The True Cost, River Blue, An Inconvenient Truth , A Plastic Ocean.
I would like to recommend this video of Dr. David Suzuki, a Canadian environmentalist explaining the facts about climate change below. It will change you forever.
Linking up with Visible Monday, Turning Heads Tuesday, Fancy Friday, and Spy Girl
Heartbreaking, Suzanne, and frightening and infuriating. The loss of lives, human and non-human, is tragic and these disasters are preventable. At least they used to be. Have we passed the point of no turning back? I will send some $$ toward the care of the koalas, and thank you for bringing this to the forefront.
Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Thanks Patti.
Thank you so much for thinking of us, Suzanne. It is absolutely devastating to see such loss in my beautiful country. I am so thankful to be safe from the fires where I live, but I am praying for my fellow Aussies, family and friends that are directly experiencing this devastation. I am especially saddened to see such loss of our precious and unique marsupials. Thank you again for thinking of us and supporting us. XXX
Thanks for taking the time to comment Sasha.
I am sending healing vibes to all life forms affected by the crisis down under and strength to those fighting the fires.
Thank you, Suzanne, for bringing this back to our attention. It’s so easy to hear the reports, sympathize, then get back into our hurried lives. I hadn’t realized the actual statistics, as well as the huge number of animals lost. Thanks for using your space to share this with us.
Thanks so much Evie.
Wholeheartedly agree! Well said, Suzanne.
Thanks Louisa : ). You are a superhero when it comes to sustainability.
It’s utterly devastating, the loss of both human, animal and plant life and yet still, the powers that be, claim climate change isn’t happening. I’m so glad that we made a conscious decision not to have children, what kind of a world do they have to grow up in?
On a brighter note your travel journals are things of beauty. xxx
I worry about my neices and nephews.
I’m grateful for the scrapbooks I used to make now. We never print out photos or remember details of our trips. It’s a real shame.
I was talking with a relative who told me he doesn’t believe in climate change. But on questioning, it comes down to a resistance to change. He doesn’t want to drive a smaller car, or drive less or not live 20 miles out in the country (he commutes an hour each way). He wants to keep his A/C at 65 F in summer and the heat at 73 F in winter. He wants to eat meat twice a day. He doesn’t care about plastic–he burns it (another advantage, as he sees it, of living in the country, where “stupid environmentalists” can’t dictate what he can and can’t do). He is adamant: no changes. He sees change as a threat to his comfort.
The thing is, I know many people like this. Mostly of a certain age, 50 and older. Australia to them is a one-off. So are the hurricanes. And all the other extreme weather. How do you change the minds of people who think they know it all? How do you get them to change, even if they admit the need for it, when they are dead set in staying set in their ways?
All I can think of is to double-down and do more myself, to make up for them. I also wish more young people would speak up. How can these climate deniers tell their grandchildren that they don’t care about their future because they want their creature comforts today?
I feel your frustration. I’ve been having a difficult time trying to keep hope alive myself.
I ran across this quote on another blogger’s post and thought it was perfect, “You only fail when you stop trying.”
People are slow to react when they believe something isn’t affecting them directly. It brings to mind this quote by Martin Niemoller,
“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
The reality is that our world is global and what happens somewhere else does affect us, even if we don’t realize it immediately.
When we no longer have access to food, clean water and air to breathe all choices will have disappeared.
I highly recommend watching this video on YouTube…
https://youtu.be/ktnAMTmgOX0
It’s a video of David Suzuki, a Canadian environmentalist talking about climate change.
In the meantime let’s continue to support each other and our efforts and take some advice from Churchill, “We shall never surrender.”
I’ve just added the video to this post.
My heart bleeds for all the devastation caused by the bush fires. Half a billion animals is such an unfathomable, mind-boggling number. But will we ever learn I wonder? For every individual I know who cares enough for the environment and climate change to do something about it on a personal level, I know several who just don’t want to make the effort, and who, frankly speaking, do not even care. I really despair and find it hard not to get myself into a negative spiral. Thank you for sharing your beautiful scrap book images. xxx
I understand your frustration Ann. I feel it too. It is hard to keep going when no one seems to care.
I’ve known quite a few people that were once climate deniers that have slowly come around to understand the importance of making changes. It is painfully slow but at least it is something. Without hope what do we have?
We can’t give up. Don’t lose hope Ann. Let’s support each other. Looking for positive ways to make a difference is the only thing that keeps me from sinking into that spiral of despair you mentioned.
It’s impossible not to feel concerned by the Australian situation, the fires, the devastation. The whole planet is at risk, as fire, floods or hurricanes are becoming more frequent and affect more and more people.
I’m so sorry and sometimes I feel that my own voice is insignificant. Every time I try to explain why I refuse plastic bags, some people stare at me and even comment that I’m ‘one of those hippies’. At least I receive support from children!, they’re more conscious than their parents.
besos
We all feel like our own efforts are insignificant. I feel like I’m spitting into a tordado half the time.
Don’t be deterred by negative reactions because some people are slower to catch on. You never know when your actions will positively impact someone else to make better decisions.
Keep up the fight Monica! You’re doing good for the world!
What an excellent post, Suzanne. It is indeed heart breaking what we have done to our planet and our responsibility to put it right – if we can. Thank you for the practical advice; it’s always welcome.
Thanks Vronni : ) The thrifting tribe that I have found online understands the importance of change for our world.
It’s devastating— It’s overwhelming, but we have to press forward with change. My heart breaks for Australia rn.
Thank you for using your platform to make this statement, Suzanne. I wholeheartedly agree with your advice, particularly about holding governments and corporations accountable to fix the problem. We can do our part as individuals, and we should never stop, but real change will only come when governments and corporations stop putting profits above the survival of the planet as we know it.
It makes my stomachs turn when I see the devastation on the telly. We all can do a bit to make the world a better place, but the industrial places and factories need to get their act together.
It’s up to us to vote in governments that take action. We still have a voice.
Also it’s up to us to vote with our cash. Don’t support fast fashion. When you take away their income you take away their power.
Bereft and reeling. And feeling the huuuuge disconnect between twirling in pretty clothes and destruction at an escalating pace. I also feel a bit like that cartoon character saying, which way do I go, which way do I go? I think about this all the time. But I do recognize that I need daily happinesses that influence others, and they me, or I get overwhelmed, so I still make an effort to “dress” and take my daily dose of kitty and comedy videos for strength to deal. I hope your post goes viral – it’s a great summary of what’s going on. xo
Thanks Mel : )
I could sure use another fun day with you to make another video to take my mind off things.
i shiver when i think about it… the lost lives and the lost forest areas…..
and australia is not alone – siberia, USA, greece, brasilia…… and here in middle europe too – not so much the fires but the drought and its followers like the mining bugs and the virus and and….
theank you for this wonderful post – you have your heart on the right spot (like we say in german)!!!!
xxxxx
Yes, it certainly isn’t a one out is it? It’s every day that we see problems caused by climate change and it’s only going to get worse.
We had massive fires here in Alberta last year which burned down most of a town and the upper part of the province.
As the temperatures continue to creep up as you mentioned bug infestation takes over. Almost all of the trees in my neighbourhood had to be taken down due to Emerald Ash borer beetle infestation. One tree came crashing down and barely missed the house while I was sleeping.
Our world is changing faster than many people realize.
People like my readers and you give me hope. You are a fantastic example of someone that lives sustainably.
It’s devastating. One of my friends lives in Adelaide and she posted some updates about Kangaroo Island on Facebook last weekend. Why should the beautiful, innocent koalas have to suffer for the selfishness of us people? It’s somewhat positive that lots of us are making changes on a personal level but until big business gets onboard then it’s just a drop in the (plastic filled) ocean.
It is up to us to make the big businesses get on board. You are already making your voice heard by not buying new clothes. That is great! When we take away the income from big business they won’t have a choice. We can’t expect businesses to change if we keep supporting them.
We also have a voice to choose governments which impose regulations and taxation on businesses harming the environment.
I love how you are sharing your memories of Australia. My friend just texted me a link to knit mittens for the koalas….I think everyone can help in their own way.
XOOX
Jodie
I agree that we can all help in different ways however I also believe we all need to make changes in our lives.
I think the most important thing is to recognize the problem for what it is and to see the big picture.
Thanks Jodie.
💖 Thanks Suzanne. The numbers of animals is staggering and is absolutely making the world pay attention, which is the only tiny sliver of silver in this horrendously dark cloud over Oz at the moment. Maybe it will change a mind or two, make a few more people into believers and doers. The generosity and support of people around the world has put shame to our government – a government which certainly seems to prioritises money over well being, coal over climate! I hate that we learn only through disaster of this scale, and I pray that now disaster has struck, we actually do learn. If everything stays the same after this horrific year, I fear I will lose all faith in humanity. Saying that though, the amazing kindness and generosity, the amazing heroics of people on the ground, the fighters and the carers and the givers, remind us that goodness still exists and hope can’t be forfeited. Thanks to everyone for thinking of Australia and doing what they can to help, and to help this stop happening in the future. Xx
Thank you for your words.
I am not in the fire zone but experiencing thick smoke drifting across Victoria.
Unthinkable but we still have maybe 3 more months of fire season to go!
Sam the Aussie
It is a great loss, almost impossible to fully imagine unless you’re living it. And yet, there it is–flames engulfing what feels like everything, the air orange-black, the animals running for their lives. So much loss. I fear this is our new normal and so few governments seem to even notice.
As you said to someone else, we must buoy each other to keep going. It’s the only way. If we feel we’re doing it alone, we’ll run out of juice and fail. But there are a lot of us out here, making different choices and working toward positive change. We must keep going.
– Sherry