HOW WE CAN SUPPORT EACH OTHER THIS BUSHFIRE SEASON 

By Molly Burley and Anushka Batu 

 

The Black Summer fires of 2019-2020 were devastating. Lives were lost, families devastated, communities were left without homes, and catastrophic damage was done to our ecosystems, and wildlife. Images of orange skies linger in our minds years on. 

Make no mistake, what happened that summer was a climate disaster. Extreme fires are fuelled by the mining and burning of coal and gas. 

Labor knows this, yet the Albanese Government has approved five new coal projects this year. 

Since the last election, the Greens have been able to knock out around half of the new coal and gas projects in the development pipeline. But we must stop Labor from opening the rest. It’s going to take all of us. 

Labor wants Woodside’s Burrup Hub to go ahead, which will emit 13 times Australia’s annual emissions over its lifetime. This year Woodside posted a record half-yearly profit of $2.7bn and have donated over $2m to Labor, Liberals & Nationals since 2014.

The Labor Government is making the climate crisis worse. 

With a new El Nino summer upon us,  the coming months will bring another season of heightened fire risk - one that the Bureau Of Meteorology and the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council predicts that we haven’t seen since 2019. 

We’ve already seen bushfires rage across Perth this November, and Queensland’s south-east and Western Downs regions in October, destroying or damaging more than 50 homes in its wake. 

This past week NSW has been facing sweltering temperatures, with 81 bushfires burning, and warnings in place in Victoria as well. 

Confronting multiple climate events year in year out, whether it’s fires, floods or heatwaves is incredibly distressing. It’s clear that we all want to see our leaders take decisive action. If you are feeling anxious about the summer ahead, and the lack of action from those in charge,  you are not alone. 

Here are some things you can do to take action and prepare for the coming months: 

1. Sign the petition for no new coal and gas: 

The only way to keep people safe is to stop adding more fuel to the fire: no more coal and gas.

That means – no more public handouts or special tax treatment, no more political donations, replace existing coal and gas with renewables and no new projects. 

Since the last election, the Greens have been able to knock out around half of the new coal and gas projects in the development pipeline. But the work doesn’t stop there, we must stop Labor from opening the rest. It’s going to take all of us.

GET YOUR FRIENDS TO SIGN THE PETITION FOR NO NEW COAL AND GAS!

2. Make a bushfire action plan:

Plan early and be prepared. It is much better to know exactly what you need to do when a fire threat is imminent. Make sure to create your bushfire action plan early and keep up to date on your local area through news coverage such as the ABC Emergency website.

Find your relevant state bushfire action plan below:

 

3. Check-in on community:  

We know that disasters related to climate change cause a high incidence of mental ill-health. Supporting each other through the eco-anxiety and distress of climate disasters is an act of compassion we can all take to show solidarity in our communities. The toll on individuals extends beyond the immediate or imminent physical devastation of climate events and lingers in the emotional aftermath of experiencing climate trauma year after year. Reach out to your loved ones and let them know they’re not alone!

4. Amplify stories of those impacted:

Amplify your voice and use your social media for impact by sharing stories from the ground, and linking to official resources on how people can support during climate events - whether that’s on-the-ground assistance, donations, volunteering or advocating for organisations fighting for a safer climate future. Your voice matters and contributes to a larger mission for action. Make sure to use it! 

5. Keep the hope and know that inspiration is all around 

People-power has been rising like never before, we’re seeing it around the country and the world. People marching for their futures, whether they are a school-striker or 97-year-old Reverend Alan Stuart arrested at the People’s blockade of the world's largest coal port in Newcastle this past November. 

People are fed up with the government saying that they are taking action on climate and then opening new coal mines. 

It’s going to take all of us, showing up, speaking up and demanding an end to coal and gas, whether it is marching in the streets, writing to your MP or door knocking in your community. Each role is essential in our push for a better and safer world. 

We’re at a critical juncture to avoid the worst outcomes of the climate crisis, but also to build a society where we care for each other and leave no one behind as we stop the seas from rising and our environment from burning.

In 2024 the fight for a safer climate future continues.