Australia Is Burning

It truly is that simple.

By Jonathan ReedPublished 4 years ago • 5 min read

A Kangaroo flees the fires - © Getty Images

Australia is burning.

It truly is that simple.

Every day new footage, statistics and photographs emerge showing the rampant infernos which have devastated the length and breadth of the country. Twenty-three people are confirmed to have died in the apocalyptic blaze. Thousands have been left without homes, food or water; their memories scattered to the winds. Over half-a-billion wildlife have been destroyed, cattle euphonised; their burns too severe. The air is full of thick suffocating smoke dowsing out the sun. Australia is a mirror of hell on scorched earth and still Fire Service Officers enter the infernos, fighting to stop the prolonging cataclysms.

As we speak, this is the ‘Land Down Under’ today. A hellish furnace tormented by the effects of climate change and inaction of those in power.

With each released image - the lonesome Kangaroo fleeing a backdrop of topaz flames; the family huddled together, shivering in the cold waters of a lake; the footage of the New South Wales Fire Department desperately navigating the encroaching flames menacingly clawing at the sides of the their fire truck – you are left figuratively breathless.

For many Australians, the smoke and ash are anything but figurative, making the air thick and unbreathable, it is a reality. The suffering of the communities across Victoria and NSW (New South Wales) is sadly only just beginning. As conditions begin to ease in these areas with temperatures dropping and winds settling, there is still the challenge of rebuilding.

The scale of the bush fires in NSW (New South Wales) - © AP

These communities have been utterly decimated, razed to the ground. The blackened and charred remains of homes, community centres and outposts are all that is left. Yet, within these neighbourhoods, whilst the fires have obliterated the physical, there is still hope to be found.

It is astonishing how strong the people of Australia have been in the face of the flames. Their eyes burn with another type of fire, one defined by determination, teamwork, empathy and strength. These brave and dynamic people have shown to the world their resolve and willingness to stay strong as the climate around them threatens their livelihood.

Locals have stood up, leaders in their own communities, to try to navigate the ashen paths which this devastation has paved before them. This isn’t by choice. With a Prime Minister – Scott Morrison – who is frighteningly inept and disillusioned from the suffering of the people he is elected to lead, who can blame them?

Allison Marion took this photo of her son escaping the blazes at Mallacoota's Lake - © Allison Marion

On a recent and ill-advised tour of Cobargo, Morrison was mercilessly mocked and heckled by locals. In approaching one woman he asked, “how are you?” When she failed to meet his hand, blatantly refusing to shake it, he reached down and shook it, nonetheless. She responded: “I’m only shaking your hand if you give more money to RFS (Rural Fire Services). So many people have lost their homes.”

“I understand,” was Morrison’s reply. As he left, he was told “you’re not welcome here”.

Two days later, a self-indulgent and truly odd video was posted onto Instagram. Looking more like an election campaign, the video spoke on the amount of money and services Morrison’s political party had given in response to the fires. Causing further backlash, the Prime Minister’s post has resulted in calls for him to resign.

But the troubles with Scott Morrison started long before the emergency Australia finds itself in today. These fires have been burning for months, with key scientists and political figures warning of the dangers of climate change and how the soaring temperatures could affect the natural fires which occur across the country. These warnings have all but been ignored, or worse, denied by the Australian Prime Minister.

So, it is understandable why Australian’s feel they are being led by a man who simply doesn’t care about them, their homes or the precious environment around them. After all, this is a Prime Minister who decided it was more important to travel to Hawaii for his holidays, than stay behind and support the people who elected him into the highest office in the land.

Whilst it is easy to focus on the abject failure of those who deny climate change, or lack the qualities of a leader for all, there are the people willing to stand up and stand in place of the failings of the Prime Minister.

Celeste Barber, an Australian comedian, has raised over $20 million in donations for the NSW Rural Fire Service. An astonishing feat which should remind us all of the ability of coming together in face of such unimaginable tragedy. Singer Pink has donated $500,000 to help with those communities effected by the fires with many other high-profile celebrities following suit.

Businesses too have begun to form the foundations for those effected to build upon. Sipp Instant – an Australian company which specialises in sustainable coffee – are donating 100% of their profits to NSW Fire Services. And then there are those across the world who have donated whatever and whenever they can. A global family outstretching their arms to help. It is these small gestures which can have the biggest impact.

A haunting image of a lonesome Fire Officer fighting to put out the fires. - © AP

But as I sit here and type away, the fires continue to burn. The skies remain a volcanic burgundy and more and more succumb to the torment of loss and grief. There will come a time when the fires subside. The flames will falter beneath the freeing rains allowing Australia to breath again. But until then, Australia is in need of our help.

There is an ancient Australian Aboriginal proverb: “We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love… and then we return home.”

For many; man, woman and animal, they have returned home earlier than perhaps planned. We owe it to them, and to those who are still visiting, to not let them down in their hour of need. To observe their pain, to learn how to rebuild, to grow a better society ensuring this never happens again, and to love those who’ve lost more than we’ll ever truly know. As we are passing through, whether ‘Down Under’ or further afield, we must never forget:

Australia is burning.

It truly is that simple.