Australia's Wildfires

Comparison Graph by BBC

   Consider this an emergency interim post of sorts since the wildfires of Australia are now appearing nightly on media outlets and unfortunately, there is still a month to go with their record-breaking temperatures overall.  The fires are approaching Sydney, said NPR, and the wildlife toll has jumped to an estimated 1.25 BILLION animals, including bats, birds, kangaroos and of course, the koala bears which feed on the burning eucalyptus trees (the trees themselves prove part of the problem due to their high oil content).  A quick glance at the NASA satellite map shows the scattered locations of the raging fires, and also shows the enormity of the continent itself; what it doesn't show is the generosity and heart of the Australian people and those not only volunteering but trying to help in other ways.  A quick summary of what happened and what you need to know if you are thinking of heading to Australia, either to help or to vacation, came from National Geographic...bear in mind that temperatures in some areas are climbing to as high as 114 degrees Fahrenheit (close to 40 degrees Celsius).  The BBC has also produced an excellent series of graphics (one example being shown here) that visually presents the toll the fires have taken on the country and its peoples and animals.

   George Stone, the executive editor at National Geographic wrote this as an effort to those wondering what they could do to help: The bushfires devastating huge portions of Australia are expected to burn for months, fueled by strong winds and extreme weather, leaving a staggering environmental toll.  Our hearts go out to the people affected and the habitats erased.  As travelers—especially those of us who have marveled at the beauty of Australia—it's good to ask what we can do to help.  Our partners at ABC News have suggested donating to Australian Red Cross' Disaster Relief and Recovery or to WIRES, an organization committed to wildlife in Australia; or you can donate to local fire brigades.  To support people affected by the fires, Fast Company suggests donating to the Salvation Army’s disaster appeal or the bushfire appeal fund set up by the St. Vincent de Paul Society.  The fires have made Australia's declining koala population even more vulnerable; consider a donation to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, which rescues koalas in regions across New South Wales. 

    Help is indeed arriving, although the Australian military has yet to be called to help; but financially the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital shot for a goal of $25,000 and is already past $6 million in donations.  Other fundraisers have brought in celebrity donations but none as prolific as those by Aussie comedian Celeste Barber which is passing the $32 million mark (Aussies Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban pledged half a million as a comparison).   Fast Company also suggested 7 ways to help in Australia "right now" and is worth a peek.  Donations have come from 75 countries so far and are a welcome breath of fresh air in a world filled with smoke and mirrors.  There is indeed good in the world and despite what seems a blitz of political discontent, people care and want to help.  The horrific scenes have touched our hearts, but are but a small reminder of just how many do need help.  Refugee camps and drought-stricken areas, vanishing species and acidifying oceans*...it can indeed seem overwhelming.  But generosity is still there, and a crisis brought to the forefront reveals that even political turmoil cannot hold back the will of the people.  Search other sites, for there are many; and many of you are already doing so much to help our planet...but should you need a quick glimpse of what needs saving, watch the opening segment of Our Planet on Netflix or the upcoming BBC series Seven Worlds One Planet which premiers on January 18th...this is our home and we need to save what we have (as but one example, 90% of the forests in the Philippines have been cut down).  The fires in Australia may be just one reminder from Earth that things can rapidly change and unless we care, there might be little we can do to control losing what we once took for granted.