It’s hard not to feel down about Australia, isn’t it?
🇦🇺
4.7 million hectares. Over two dozen human casualties. About a million animals. And some of the most charismatic and sensitive species among them.
Australia holds a special place in my heart. I still remember scenes from a trip I took there as a seventeen year old vividly. The cable car ride through a rainforest. The towering coastal crags. The bandicoots prone to crossing the road at inopportune times.
At the time I had yet to really start my career or interest in global sustainability. I just knew I was in a place full of natural wonder. I have learned a couple of things since that totally apply today. 🐨🐨🐨
First, indigenous communities and First Nations are so important in stewarding land. This rung true in the Amazon, in places I’m more familiar with throughout Southeast Asia, and in Australia. They lose the most during natural disaster and often have the most knowledge regarding how to prevent them.
Second, when a crisis isn’t happening, the things we do still profoundly impact the severity of the crises that do emerge. Climate change and forest loss were ongoing long before these current fires, but they make the challenge much worse. 🌎🌍🌏
I’m trying to practice #highlightingthehelpers- shouting out a worthwhile cause/org once a month and I can’t help but feel that those responding in Australia are worthy of this first feature. I’ve been asked a lot lately for places and opportunities to help. Here are a few:
🐾 WIRES Wildlife Rescue - for wildlife relief and rehab
🌱 Seed Mob - for climate justice
🐨 Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
📸 NRMA
Any others? Also, here’s a 17 year old me with a koala.
