Australia Bushfire-A threat to future generation

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