The destruction Australia has seen in the past 4 months due to its wildfires has been devastating for its people, land, and wildlife. And thankfully, people all around the world have been spreading information on how to help as well as donate themselves, doing what they can to make sure aid reaches those affected.
Here at Sui, our hearts go out to them as we've seen the fires rage that have, in part, been especially deadly this year due to the major effects of climate change, an occurrence that may become 'normal' all over the world with our temperatures continuing to rise. It has also been especially hard to witness so much of their wildlife suffer and lose habitats. Being lovers of nature, we wanted to take a look at just how these creatures are doing up to this point and how we can reach out.
Here's what we know so far about the state of Australia's wildlife:
- It's been estimated that more than a billion animals have died in the fires so far - this excludes frogs, fish, bats, and insects. Moreover, experts are worried about the future of a number of species that include the glossy black-cockatoo, the quokka, the brush-tailed rock-wallaby (seen below on the left), the greater glider, and more. This also includes one of Australia's beloved, the koala (seen on the right).
- An estimated 8,000 koalas have been lost to the fires in New South Wales alone and experts are also worried that the fires may potentially drive them into extinction.
- Last week, thousands of pounds of sweet potatoes and carrots were air-dropped to feed animals whose food sources were destroyed in the fires.
- More than a third of Kangaroo Island (seen below, before exp[eriencing wildfires), described by an ecologist as a place that serves as a sanctuary for endangered species, has been burned completely by the fires.
Moving forward, the best way we can all help, no matter how far away we are, is to donate to the establishments working hard to rescue and take care of so much their wildlife. Here are just a few you can reach out to:
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
- Friends of the Koala
- Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park
- Koala Hospital NSW
- The Rescue Collective
- Wild2Free
- Wires Wildlife Rescue - We are also dedicating 10% of all our own sales from this month to Wires.
Every little bit helps!
And finally, we can't ignore that the severity of the fires are due to climate change and so, here are some little daily acts that you can do to reduce your negative impact on the world:
1. Less energy use equals fewer greenhouse gases being emitted that raise our planets' temperature. How you can reduce it?
- Turn off lights and electrical appliances that are not in use.
- Switch from incandescent bulbs to LED which is more energy-efficient.
- Choose to travel more by public transport.
2. Plant more!
- Another tree means more CO2 being taken out of our atmosphere.
- Grow your own produce to cook at home so that there is less need to import fruits, veggies or herbs from far and wide that takes an enormous amount of energy to do.
3. And, of course, reduce, reuse and recycle in many aspects.
- Invest in reusable items such as bags for your groceries and bottles to carry your water around in - less plastic in the world means less polluted landfills and a safer environment for our creatures on land and in the sea.
- Always look for the opportunity to recycle your items, whether that is by specifically separating your waste to be able to send materials to the respective recycling centers or donate items to be used by others who need it.
We hope you choose to always be conscious and lend a helping hand. Stay green.