This week, the drought and bushfires dominate the conversation and put pressure on wildlife, towns and politics. People are angry and making their voices heard! Marine life is also struggling amidst a silent extinction crisis.
Climate strikers continue
As the COP25 conferences continue in Madrid, the city has been taken over by climate strikers; school children, workers, solidarity strikes for indigenous people affected by climate change as well as women bearing the brunt of environmental destruction. On December 6th, 500 000 people marched in Madrid with Greta Thunberg calling for the declaration of a global climate emergency. After Greta made a powerful speech at COP25, 200 strikers staged a disruptive protest in the main halls of the summit and many had their badges removed. Greta worries that these strikes are not achieving the change we need.
http://www.climatenetwork.org/blog/half-million-march-madrid-bring-climate-strikes-cop
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/06/greta-thunberg-says-school-strikes-have-achieved-nothing
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/12/activists-protest-un-climate-talks
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-50752126
http://www.climatenetwork.org/blog/half-million-march-madrid-bring-climate-strikes-cop
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/06/greta-thunberg-says-school-strikes-have-achieved-nothing
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/12/activists-protest-un-climate-talks
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-50752126
Morrison grapples with the truth
Scott Morrison is feeling the heat as he slowly acknowledges the impact of climate change on Australia’s devastating bushfire season. He still refuses to increase funding for the Rural Fire Service and is trying to deflect accusations of not doing enough to limit Australia’s emissions. His environment minister, Matt Kean, blatantly called out the lack of action on climate change calling for his colleagues to stop dancing around the climate-fires link.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-13/bushfire-liberal-tension-scott-morrison-change-climate/11795712
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-12/scott-morrison-bushfires-smoke-haze-climate-change-albanese/11793820
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-13/bushfire-liberal-tension-scott-morrison-change-climate/11795712
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-12/scott-morrison-bushfires-smoke-haze-climate-change-albanese/11793820
Sharks and rays struggle for survival
A silent extinction crisis is eating away at shark and ray populations despite the animals being listed on the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. Fishing, habitat loss and climate change are all resulting in the destruction of sharks and rays and many of these species are showing no sign of recovery despite their listing on the EPBC Act and the awareness of their vulnerability.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2019-12-12/11788812?fbclid=IwAR1K44ju3tjgHqW9L2oxgDE5-b4nVdwf49sWoK4PAIDqGytn2uiyMaB18bU
https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2019-12-12/11788812?fbclid=IwAR1K44ju3tjgHqW9L2oxgDE5-b4nVdwf49sWoK4PAIDqGytn2uiyMaB18bU
Towns under pressure from the drought
The drought continues to be a problem for small rural towns with added bushfire risk heightening the demand for water. Tharwa, a 45 minute drive from Canberra, relies on the Murrumbidgee River for water to protect their homes and properties in case of a fire. However, the river is at its lowest level in 20 years and kids are having to dig out the sand to encourage more water into the pump system. Meanwhile, Sydney has been forced into level 2 water restrictions with the potential of level 3 restrictions later in summer.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-14/tharwa-residents-digging-in-mud-to-ease-water-supply/11798840
https://www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-water-restrictions-what-it-means-as-drought-bushfires-could-trigger-level-3/cdbde2f1-f948-4601-b3c2-9167d7f43330
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-14/tharwa-residents-digging-in-mud-to-ease-water-supply/11798840
https://www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-water-restrictions-what-it-means-as-drought-bushfires-could-trigger-level-3/cdbde2f1-f948-4601-b3c2-9167d7f43330
Murray-Darling basin plan under scrutiny
Demands of the drought are threatening to force the government to scrap the Murray-Darling Basin Plan as the NSW government says they have no more water to give to the environment. This risks the collapse of the river ecosystem while rural towns struggle to survive as their water supply slowly runs out. What we desperately need now is rain!
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2019-12-15/nsw-threatens-to-walk-away-from-murray-darling-basin-plan/11790502
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2019-12-15/nsw-threatens-to-walk-away-from-murray-darling-basin-plan/11790502