There's been a significant decline in birdlife in my backyard. Where a few years ago, I was woken by the cacophony of bird noises at the break of day from the nearby Merri Merri Creek, the sound of birds, more generally, is much subdued, as well as sightings of wildlife, such as lizards and rakali.
Coburg, VIC
I’m a resident of Coburg, living on Wurundjeri country in Narrm, Melbourne. Over the last 5 years or so, I’ve experienced and observed the impacts of climate change and ecological degradation locally, from the heatwaves and wildfires of 2019, which inundated Melbourne with smoke from bushfires across NSW and Vic, to the global pandemic of the last 2 years, caused by zoonotoc viruses, spread as a result of human intervention with wildlife. The impacts to health, mental health in particular, are increasing, particularly, and understandably, for young people.
There’s been a significant decline in birdlife in my backyard. Where a few years ago, I was woken by the cacophony of bird noises at the break of day from the nearby Merri Merri Creek, the sound of birds, more generally, is much subdued, as well as sightings of wildlife, such as lizards and rakali. I watch the news and see the impacts of storms and floods in regional Victoria, and beyond, in Northern NSW and Qld. The list goes on. There are rigorous IPCC reports tracking local and global impacts of climate change and local reports on the dire state of our ecology from over 200 years of treating this country and its First Nations people with violence and disrespect.
The Australian Government needs to take stronger action on climate, the recent plan to reduce emissions by 46% by 2050 is a start but it’s not nearly enough, and needs to ramp up to care for any semblance of life on this planet, not least human life.
Hundreds of people from across the country are sharing their stories to send a clear message to the Australian government - it's time for real action on climate change.
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I have been deeply affected emotionally by the trauma of the Black Summer bushfires. Two and a half years later, I still find it hard to talk about it without tears - and yet I want to talk about it.
Read my storyPeople all across Australia are being harmed by climate change. These are some of their stories.
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