In November 2019, dozens of fires erupted in New South Wales which prompted the Australian government to declare a state of emergency. Fires rapidly spread across all states and according to an estimate, an area roughly 25.5 million acres, which would be 1/4th the size of California, was burned to ashes. 

Summer season extends in Australia from December to February with fire season typically peaking in late January or early February. According to the verge, " On January 3rd, officials warned that conditions could get worse over the following days. ""Its going to be a blast furnace,"" New South Wales transport minister Andrew Constance said to The Sydney Morning Herald." 1

After a month of massive evacuations, the fires in New South Wales which was the most affected state were finally declared contained on February 13th. But the smoke became another disaster. As per Verge, "On January 1st, Australia's capital recorded the worst pollution it's ever seen, with an air quality index 23 times higher than what's considered hazardous." 2

The perils of the smoke were also felt 1000 miles away in New Zealand where it created eerie scenes atop glacier-covered peaks. According to one estimate from the University of Sydney, around 25,000 Koalas were feared dead on Kangaroo Island, a third of all the Koalas in New South Wales are believed to have perished and about 30 percent of their habitat has also been wiped out. 

The devastation only adds to existing pressures on Australia's unique ecosystems as the continent is home to 244 species which are not found anywhere else. This cataclysm was followed by a  massive uproar where on January 10th thousands of protestors took to the streets in Sydney, Melbourne and other cities demanding climate action. Prime Minister Scott Morrison also received much backlash for his handling of the bushfires and had to cut a vacation to Hawaii short during the bushfire.

The question that persists is how long do these innocent animals would have to suffer due to our reckless actions? The only thing that a climate activist can do is to urge other fellow activists to keep these tragic tales alive in their heart and mind and do whatever they can, however they can to stop such cataclysm take place again - NOW.

Refrences:

1. Calma, Justine. “What You Need to Know about the Australia Bushfires.” The Verge, 14 Feb. 2020, www.google.com/amp/s/www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2020/1/3/21048891/australia-wildfires-koalas-climate-change-bushfires-deaths-animals-damage

2. Calma, Justine. “What You Need to Know about the Australia Bushfires.” The Verge, 14 Feb. 2020, www.google.com/amp/s/www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2020/1/3/21048891/australia-wildfires-koalas-climate-change-bushfires-deaths-animals-damage