Australian Bushfire Crisis - from frustration to action
Rampant fires have been burning in Australia since late November. The Australian Bushfires have destroyed over 2000 homes, released more than 350 million tonnes of CO2 into our atmosphere and killed over one billion animals. This crisis has consumed our country and has intensified discussions surrounding Australia’s climate policy or lack thereof.
A collective feeling of helplessness is felt among us. With our media saturated with images of devastated families, destroyed country and dying animals we can feel as though our actions are not enough to help and that our contribution will not have a significant impact.
A time of crisis can generate feelings of frustration and anger towards a government who has denied our changing climate the attention it deserves. These feelings of frustration are important and need to be transformed into determination to create change for a brighter future.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
These are some ways you can help!
Make a donation
If you are in a position to do so, consider donating to one of these amazing organisations:
First Nations GoFundMe Fundraiser: this online fundraiser aims to offer “culturally sensitive, specific, direct support” to First Nation communities that have been affected by the fires.
https://au.gofundme.com/f/fire-relief-fund-for-first-nations-communities
RSPCA New South Wales: the RSPCA are helping the community to keep their pets and livestock safe from the fires. Their work will continue even after the fires have stopped.
https://www.rspcansw.org.au/bushfire-appeal/
State Fire Services: volunteer firefighters have sacrificed everything to help our country. Show your support by donating to the brigades.
https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/
https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/home
Port Macquarie Koala Hospital: They are the world’s first rehabilitation facility dedicated to the care and preservation of wild koalas.
https://shop.koalahospital.org.au/collections/donations/products/donation
If you don’t have spare money to give consider donating your time or parting with things you don’t use anymore:
Check out GIVIT. They are an Australian non-profit that connects people in need with items and services they ask for!
http://www.givit.org.au/
Find a bed is a volunteer-run initiative that matches member sof the fire-affected community with those offering a place to stay or somewhere to have a shower!
https://www.findabed.info/
“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors: we borrow it from our children.”
2. Use your voice
Utilise your platforms to spread the word about what is happening! Share donation pages, even if you don’t have much to donate spreading the word is powerful.
Keep the conversation alive surrounding climate change. Particularly when the fires are eventually out, ensure the conversation on climate change does not stop. Let’s make sure environmental stewardship is on the top of everyone’s agenda.
Use your vote and make sure it matches your values. Do your research on what party is prepared to take action on climate change. Write to your local member of parliament and request they stand up for climate action.
Join a non-violent rally! Make a sign, bring friends and make sure your voice is heard. These protests are an integral way of pressuring government to prioritise our environment.
“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”
3. Make sustainable lifestyle choices! Don’t underestimate the impact of your choices
Buy less, shop second-hand, use what you have and fix things that are broken rather than throwing them away
When you do shop, support local
Consider meat-free Mondays
Bring your own bag, keep cup, cutlery and straw instead of using disposables
Walk instead of drive when you can
Avoid landfill, start your own compost at home
“We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.”
Written by Bethany Good
