In 2019, Australia was ravaged by devastating bushfires, the likes of which the nation had never seen. Fueled by record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought, these massive bushfires burned more than 26.4 million acres—an area nearly as large as the state of Virginia. More than 12 million hectares of forest and bushland was burnt and at least 1.25 billion animals perished, such as koalas and kangaroos. The climate crisis does not cause bushfires, but it does make them worse. The 2019 bushfire catastrophe was far from normal. Australia was experiencing more frequent and intense heat-waves and prolonged dry periods that created tinder box conditions. Global warming made droughts and fires hotter and more frequent around the world. In response, WWF created a global fund to respond, restore and prepare for the future. Save The Earth Club recently donated approximately $600 towards the Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund. For more information on relief efforts to replant lost forests, save wildlife and prevent another catastrophe like this from happening, be sure to check out the June 2020 Australia Bushfire Report.
Are you interested in getting individually involved? Check out this link for resources and ideas for things you can do to support the bushfire recovery!
