Every year
wildfires or bushfires breakouts in Australia, the reason being dry weather
(summer season) in the months of December to February with temperature hitting
40 degree Celsius accompanied by thunderstorm or certain manmade factors
responsible for this cursed infernos. But this year it has seen the worst
bushfire of the decades, which has devastated large areas of the country which
has taken life of at least 28 people and half billion mammals, birds and
reptiles (especially Kangaroos and Koala). Thousands of fish died in the New
South Wales as the bushfire ash washed into river. New South Wales
is the worst hit with 3000 home destroyed or damaged and the fire is
uncontrollable. The fire is also affected some of the largest cities including
Melbourne and Sydney, where outer suburbs have been damaged by the fire. In New
South Wales alone, more than 100 fires are still burning. The breakout of fires
in the Australia is not new but the situation is worsening. Increasing heat,
unprecedented drought, lack of rain contributes to drying out of fuel and that
makes the fire worst. Climate scientist believes climate change has increased
the intensity of the fires which otherwise might not have been this worse.
Australia is especially vulnerable to climate change because the continent is
already hot and dry. Fire by adding carbon dioxide- a greenhouse gas into the
atmosphere further amplifying climate change.
If we are
seeing these in 1 degree warming of the planet so far, what will happen in the
future as we are headed for a 1.5 or 2 or 3 degree warming of planet? Let’s
work together for a greener planet so that our future generation will be saved
from the approaching disaster.
Dr. Sumitra Mohanty
Coordinator Research, Documentation and Communication Dept., PECUC
Coordinator Research, Documentation and Communication Dept., PECUC
