Thread by @earth

Australia is on fire. Nearly half a billion animals have been killed with more than 14.5 million acres burned. This is climate change.

UPDATE — Nearly 200 fires are still burning across Australia. The death toll has climbed to at least 24 people and more than 1,200 homes have been destroyed.

More than 15 million acres of land has been scorched – 7x the 2019 Amazon fires and 3x the 2018 California fires.

Over 500 million animals have died in the fires. In New South Wales, it’s estimated that 8000 koalas – or a third of NSW's koala population – have been killed. That figure is feared to be higher now as the fires have continued.

Koalas are more at risk in the fires because they’re slow, making it even more difficult for them to escape the flames. They also eat eucalyptus, a tree whose leaves contain highly flammable oils.

The wildfires are burning so hot that they’re creating their own weather systems, generating thunderstorms and lightning – a phenomenon typically seen during volcanic eruptions or atomic bomb explosions.

Smoke from the fires has traveled thousands of miles to New Zealand where ash has turned glaciers yellow.

Nearly 3,000 firefighters are bravely tackling the blazes with temperatures exceeding 112°. A senior firefighter described the previous 24 hours as "one of our worst days ever."

Thankfully, conditions are beginning to ease and firefighters have gained control over several dangerous fires, according to @NSWRFS.

Australian comedian @celestebarber_ launched a fundraiser on Facebook and has raised over $20 million in just 48 hours. This is AMAZING.

These are the devastating effects of anthropogenic climate change. This is the slaughter of life, the destruction of nature and the loss of hope.

Let’s make 2020 the year that we stand up for the climate. It’s time to speak up for the voiceless and take action for what is right.

Donating money is the best way you can help. If you can't afford to donate, please help spread awareness.

NSW Fire Service (@NSWRFS) – rfs.nsw.gov.au/volunteer/supp…

Country Fire Authority – cfa.vic.gov.au/about/supporti…

Red Cross (Disaster Relief Fund) – redcross.org.au/campaigns/disa…

@NSWRFS If you want to donate to helping animal relief directly, the Adelaide & Hills Koala Rescue has started a GoFundMe.

This is Billy, a koala rescued from the fires. His paws are wrapped as his burns are still healing. He's a fighter 🐨

gofundme.com/f/sa-koala-bur…

@NSWRFS We've donated $1000 USD to the organizations mentioned above on behalf of the @earth community.

Thank you to everyone who has helped spread awareness and for supporting us in using this platform for good 🖤