Dozens of fires erupted in New South Wales, Australia, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency. Fires rapidly spread across all states to become some of the most devastating on record. An area about twice the size of Belgium, roughly 15 million acres, has burned. At least 24 people are dead, including at least three volunteer firefighters, and more are missing. More than 1,300 houses have been destroyed, hundreds more damaged. As blazes intensified in the days leading up to New Year’s Eve, thousands of people who were forced to evacuate sought shelter on beaches across New South Wales and Victoria. More than 100 fires are still burning.

The smoke has become another disaster. Australian CO2 emissions have surged by 250 million tonnes as a result of bushfires in New South Wales and Queensland. 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.”

It is disheartening to see the images of fire, burnt forest and animals in Australia. Climate Change has played an important role in the increasing forest fires in Australia and the result seems to be increasing every coming year if significant actions aren’t taken.  

#PrayforAustralia

#ClimateChange #ForestFire