7 things I learned from the Australian Bush Fire

The Lessons are best learned, through tragedy

Australia has been facing a massive uproar, as 19.5 acres of bushfires were disrupted. East Gippsland, and North-South Wales where 4.9 million hectares of lands were burned. Since September, 25 people have lost their lives, and 20,000 plus people lost their homes and businesses. Furthermore, there has been mass destruction to the entire nation, including the wildlife. Approximately 1 billion animals have sacrificed their life, hence predicting long term damage towards the ecosystem. The Victorian government is committed to holding hands with the local communities that have been drastically affected, including East Gippsland. Their aim through this support is to, empower them again, and rebuild their lives. Fortunately, the fire is now under control. Those days affected all of us and only now I found some time to think about the lessons, I learned from those days.

1- Climate Change is a cardinal topic of our time, and we are the ones who should be promptly seeking solutions. From the diversity in the weather patterns to the threatening of damage in life, wildlife, and the environment. The scope of climate change is drastic, and a large scale, if the seriousness is neglected, might as well let it consume us.

2- Risk is never a size zero. Any situation can be of some predictable danger, and it is crucial to take it into account. When you pre-plan accordingly. and have resources in hand, it helps you abstain from drastic issues like this, and any other that has prevailed previously.

3- Risk Management: Another lesson, this entire bush fire has taught the world. In times of ruts, and serious consequences, a systematic solution should be formulated. A fire protection plan should be devised to protect our community.

4- Indigenous fire practices: They have been used to prevent and, stamp out bush fires for centuries. This is based on a science. Cultural burning is one way that is used to calm the fires, as well, but large amounts of investment in training are to be placed, before adopting this method. Though, its benefits include protection of the environment and safeguarding it from potential burns. This is a huge value of learning from other cultures. The strategy behind Indigenous fire protection is prevention of big fires, rather than how to manage it aftermath

5- Altruism: In times of major crisis, the most devoted people come in the form of firefighters, and the emergency team, who struggle their breath, to save others. Their altruism has aided many and continues to do so. I now have even more respect for our firies and those volunteers in missions.

6- Donations: The power of growth comes in various forms, of solidarity, but after this major bush fire, many people have opened their doors and helped raise donations to aid the injured, the ones who lost their homes, etc, to give them a second chance, which they rightfully deserve.

7- Last but not least, awareness. It is crucial to openly discuss these issues, have an open-ended debate about it, and understand its grass-rooted cause. The failure of humanity crosses us every day, but as a standing generation, we need to work closely with our ecologists, and environmentalists to spread the knowledge of how to protect our environment.

While the 2020 started with this natural disaster, but I hope this can be seen as an awareness and make us think more about mother earth and our impact on it.