The Fires in Australia — An Example of the Effects of Climate Change.

As I was listening to the news on the radio this morning, they were talking about the unusual warm winter they are having in Moscow. Usually it is covered in snow during the holiday season and this year it is not.

I also get to hear by people across different industries on how they can see how climate change has become a reality. In a specific case, one person was talking on how his once beachfront property in southern California has lost its beach in less than 15 years! A matter of time before the house goes fully under the water and the family has to run for the hills.

Personally, I have family who have relocated from California to another State as they just don’t see the situation with the fires improving any time soon, nor is the smoke situation from it going to be solved fast enough.

Many voices have been announcing the many potential multiple issues stemming from climate change, but few have been accurate as to how fast this was suddenly going to happen, much less the dizzying speed with which it accelerates. I do recall a tv show in the early 1980s, where one person did speak with that alarming tone of the situation of the planet (Haroun Tazieff) and he was frowned upon by everyone, including by Jacques Cousteau. For the record, Jacques Cousteau followed in those same steps a few years later.

Fires in Australia are not a new phenomenon. What is new is the speed at which it grows and spreads. This is due to the lesser humidity it is getting contrary to as in the past.

As the Indian Ocean is slightly warmer, the consequences make for more humidity in East Africa and Indonesia, while less humidity on the Australian side of the Ocean. This results in fires in Australia like it results in floods in east Africa and Indonesia. These slight little changes in temperature have very visible effects if one knows where to look.

The recent images of Australia have once again set the alarms on as they simply look like hell on earth. From children wearing masks to manage the smoke, to people leaving the country as to not risk a health hazzard. From a double-digit count of human deaths to the thousands in wildlife. This has grown the number of people asking their government and officials to handle the matter and assume responsibility for their lack of action.

Very much in the steps of Greta Thunberg, people who were once silent have started to speak up more and more. This is not just because they wish to live in a beautiful planet, but because they are feeling the immediate misery of the current lack of action in caring for the planet. Some have lost all their possessions, some have to dramatically start their life all over again.

What further issues are we contemplating? Lung diseases or further health complications as a direct cause? Are we able to manage to prevent fires or ‘natural’ disasters better in the future?

Just like the speed of climate change is accelerating, so are the implications for people living on the planet. Being adaptable is one thing, but will values finally all align and shift in the right direction?