Quick Facts about the Australian Bushfires
Interested in learning more about the wildfires that took Australia by surprise this past month? Here are some quick facts to keep you in the loop:
It Was a Record-Breaking Fire
The bushfires, concentrated along the southeast coast of the country, were a record-breaking heatwave. The most affected areas were Victoria and New South Wales. Over 27 acres across the nation were burned during the fire.
We Can Blame Climate Change
Partly, at least. Weather variability also plays a key role in the tragedy. This summer was especially hot and dry for Australia. This fed into the fires, like tinder fueling it to keep growing. Australia has been facing extreme drought recently, with three whole winters that experienced minimal precipitation. Because of little moisture in the air, the fires quickly caught on and spread wildly through the land.
Australian Fire Seasons are Worsening
Although fires in this country are deemed “common” and “normal”, nothing is normal about the increasing lengths of their duration. This particular fire season started earlier than ever - during September - and lasted longer. This affects many ecosystems in the country, including plants, animals, and other organisms and their ability to germinate, nourish and grow, and clear decay.
The Biodiversity in Australia is Endangered
Considered one of the biggest biodiversity hotspots on the planet, billions of animals and plants are put in danger whenever bushfires like this occur. This island slash continent spent millennia isolated from the rest of the world, creating unique paths for evolution. This is why several species of mammals can only be found here, and nowhere else in the world.
The recent bushfires pronounced 1.25 billion animals dead.
Suffering Continues Post-Flames
Even after putting out the fires, there is more to be done. Australians - people and animals alike - face the fact that their homes, family, and friends have been hurt. Many stand homeless. Besides these immediate needs, there are also many things that have to be addressed. The prolonged stress of homelessness, grief, loss of property, and more can pose challenges for both mental and physical wellness. Many can also face post-traumatic stress disorder, especially those who had close brush-ups with the fire.
You Can Help
As citizens of the world, we can do our part to help out. Here are some charities that you can donate to, to help with rescue and rehabilitation, or general support for the firefighters and rescue volunteers:
- Humane Society International
- WWF’s Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund
- Australian Red Cross
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Foodbank
- Givit
- New South Wales Rural Fire Service
- Victoria Country Fire Authority
- Country Fire Service in South Australia
- Rural Fire Brigades Association (Queensland)
#TEAkiHutGivesBack
Here at TEAki Hut, we’re always pushing ourselves to become the best that we can be - that’s why we provide you with naturally-sourced ingredients that promise to do the same. Being our best self isn’t just quantified by mental acuity and physical strength. It’s also in being charitable, kind, and compassionate.
This week, TEAki Hut gives back 10% of its sales to be donated to WWF Australia. We hope, in our small way, we can help with the rescue and rehabilitation of animals affected by the bushfires.
You can help us help them, too, by supporting our products - at absolutely no added cost on your end. Plus, we’re giving you Free Shipping on all products, sitewide, for the entire week.
Let’s help make the world a better, safer place for every living thing staying in it.
References:
https://disasterphilanthropy.org/disaster/2019-australian-wildfires/