The before and after images are startling...our home is smoldering from the wreckage.
And the government is not taking responsibility.
In the middle of Australia’s burnt desolate landscapes, emergency services have had to deal with a terrible lack of equipment. Firefighters continue to bravely rescue homes and families with the bare minimum of supplies and responders.
And extreme weather patterns are being sparked by the climate crisis.
The government says there’s not enough money for more help and taxpayers are about to foot the bill for $2bn in relief funds for rebuilding and recovery. Yet, Australia’s leaders are still subsidizing the fossil fuel industry for $42bn!
Morrison, a staunch supporter of the coal industry, is under a ton of pressure and the Australian government is now talking about “evolving” its climate change policy.
With a huge global outcry now, the Morrison government could crack and redirect the crazy climate-killing subsidies towards recovery and begin the long process of reversing fossil fuel devastation.
Yes, Australia fossil fuel subsidies should go towards recovery and transitioning away from climate-wreaking energy sources.
As we speak, people are losing their homes, some have lost their loved ones, others have seen their livelihoods destroyed.
The Morrison government is being attacked nationally and internationally, with Australians like tennis star Nick Kyrgios saying “the time will come when our leaders will need to sit down and figure out what we can do to protect our environment. It’s urgent that we find a solution.”
Scientists are adamant, at 1.5C of global warming, extreme weather events double compared to 150 years ago. For Australia, that means an undeniable trend towards warmer, earlier and more extreme bushfire season.
SumOfUs members have seen dark times and we’ve fought back with a plan and a strategy to get out of it. When man-made fires raged in the Amazon we took action by targeting JBS, one of the largest meat producers in the world and pension funds began divesting from it.
Will you join us in making these bush fires a catalyst for change and stop this from being the new normal?
More information
Before and after images show scale of devastation
The Guardian. 16 January 2020.
The Guardian. 16 January 2020.
Photo credit: Nathan Edwards
Getty Images. 3 January 2020.
Getty Images. 3 January 2020.
Tennis star Nick Kyrgios criticizes Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison for 'slow' wildfires response
CNN. 9 January 2020.
CNN. 9 January 2020.
Should fossil fuels pay for Australia's new bushfire reality? It is the industry most responsible
The Guardian. 7 January 2020.
The Guardian. 7 January 2020.
