Black Summer Bushfires, Australia

Background

Background

• September 2019 to March 2020

• it was one of most devastating wildfire in Australian history

• burned over 20 million hectares of land and it is estimated that over 1 billion animals were killed

causes

• 2019 was Australia’s driest and hottest year on record

• record-breaking temperatures combined with strong winds created perfect conditions for wildfires

• highly flammable Eucalyptus trees

• loss of traditional fire management has increased vulnerability

• some fires lit deliberate

• some lightnings trikes

• large bush-fires create storms which cause more fires

social primary impacts

• 33 people killed directly

• approx 80,000 people displaced

• almost 6000 buildings were damaged or destroyed

• health issues and injuries

economic primary impacts

• disruption to tourism, agriculture forestry and other industries cost over $4billion

• $5billion loss in agriculture

• firefighting cost over $2 billion

environmental primary impacts

• destruction of habitats and ecosystems with an estimated with an estimated 3billion animals killed or displaced

  • half of kolas on Kangaroo island

• smoke, ash and chemicals polluted the air, soil and water impacting ecosystems and biodiversity

• release of over 400 million tones of carbon dioxide

political primary impacts

• international aid and support arrived with many countries sending firefighters and supplies to help tackle the fires

• government response was criticized for being too slow

• raised awareness of need to tackle climate change and improve disaster response

Social secondary impacts

• almost 450 people died form smoke inhalation

• mental health issues

• health issues such as respiratory illness

economic secondary impacts

• insurance companies paid out significant amounts for damages and losses leading to higher insurance premiums

• slow down in economic activity due to disruption in trade

• cost for rebuilding homes

environmental secondary impacts

• long-term impacts on food webs

• increased soil erosion and loss of soil fertility

• release of carbon emissions contributes to climate change

• smoke fro the fires depleted the ozone layer by 3-5%

• smoke decreased air quality of neighboring countries

political secondary impacts

• government response was criticized for failing to address the root cause of the fire

• National Bush fire recovery Agency was created to improve response to bush-fires

short-term response

• 80000 firefighters from Australia and other countries such as New Zealand

• Australian defense force provided support with around 6500 soldiers deployed

• temporary accommodation was set up

• $1000 per adult pay out

• fundraising campaigns raised money for the response

long-term responses

• $2 billlion bush-fire recovery

• provision of mental health services

• development of mitigation

  • National Bush-fire recovery Agency

• environmental restoration

• policies to tackle climate change