Why is Australia burning down?
As you are probably aware, there have been terrible bushfires raging across Australia. The first one started on 1 August 2019, and nine more followed before the end of that month. Many people suspected that the fires were caused by lightning strikes but after some further research, many scientists and others speculate that the fires could be linked to climate change.
The Climate Crisis has had some catastrophic effects on our planet and it is up to us to start improving our daily lives, to decrease the amount of energy we are using. About 12.35 million acres of natural wildlife and habitats have been burned from the fire, and - to a certain extent - we are to blame for this travesty. Though energy is something we are never going to completely stop using, it’s still important that we are aware of the consequences that it can have on our planet and that we try to reduce our individual Carbon Footprints.
Since 1851 (the beginning of the bushfire season in Australia) 800 people have been killed in the bushfires, billions of animals have had their lives taken, and huge amounts of land has been destroyed. Not only did the bushfires physically hurt people but mentally too, many people now suffer from PTSD, depression and more from living through this terrible experience. We need to put ourselves in their shoes, and think about how painful it must be to have your family, home and even your pets taken away in such devastating and traumatic circumstances. The huge amount of animals that died in the bushfires has had a horrendous effect on the Australian wildlife and ecosystem, as animals play an essential role in our survival on Earth. The bushfires could drive more than 700 species to extinction, without them we could face some serious changes in the future. The reason that many animals died was not primarily due to the fire itself, but also because their natural habitats were demolished and they didn’t have anywhere to go.
If you feel compelled to help the wildlife and nature rebuild after the bushfires, there are many ways that you can get involved. For example, you could donate to the Red Cross who currently have volunteers at evacuation and recovery centres. Furthermore, Volunteers for the Animal Rescue Collective are sewing pouches for Australia's orphaned or injured kangaroos, koalas and bats. You can help them in their efforts to support the animals by donating to their website: https://therescuecollective.com/ .
Kindness is a gift that any person can give. That’s my motto, and I wanted to share it with you. I believe that helping and saving those who are in need is such a crucial thing that we should think about more often. Please, think about what has happened in Australia and try to cut down your Carbon Footprint. Climate change is moving rapidly, and if every one of us changes our lives, even in a small way like turning off our lights when we leave a room, we can make a significant difference together.
Hannah Rofe, Year 9
The Climate Crisis has had some catastrophic effects on our planet and it is up to us to start improving our daily lives, to decrease the amount of energy we are using. About 12.35 million acres of natural wildlife and habitats have been burned from the fire, and - to a certain extent - we are to blame for this travesty. Though energy is something we are never going to completely stop using, it’s still important that we are aware of the consequences that it can have on our planet and that we try to reduce our individual Carbon Footprints.
Since 1851 (the beginning of the bushfire season in Australia) 800 people have been killed in the bushfires, billions of animals have had their lives taken, and huge amounts of land has been destroyed. Not only did the bushfires physically hurt people but mentally too, many people now suffer from PTSD, depression and more from living through this terrible experience. We need to put ourselves in their shoes, and think about how painful it must be to have your family, home and even your pets taken away in such devastating and traumatic circumstances. The huge amount of animals that died in the bushfires has had a horrendous effect on the Australian wildlife and ecosystem, as animals play an essential role in our survival on Earth. The bushfires could drive more than 700 species to extinction, without them we could face some serious changes in the future. The reason that many animals died was not primarily due to the fire itself, but also because their natural habitats were demolished and they didn’t have anywhere to go.
If you feel compelled to help the wildlife and nature rebuild after the bushfires, there are many ways that you can get involved. For example, you could donate to the Red Cross who currently have volunteers at evacuation and recovery centres. Furthermore, Volunteers for the Animal Rescue Collective are sewing pouches for Australia's orphaned or injured kangaroos, koalas and bats. You can help them in their efforts to support the animals by donating to their website: https://therescuecollective.com/ .
Kindness is a gift that any person can give. That’s my motto, and I wanted to share it with you. I believe that helping and saving those who are in need is such a crucial thing that we should think about more often. Please, think about what has happened in Australia and try to cut down your Carbon Footprint. Climate change is moving rapidly, and if every one of us changes our lives, even in a small way like turning off our lights when we leave a room, we can make a significant difference together.
Hannah Rofe, Year 9