We went to sleep feeling anxious about how the heavy rain would affect us, and we were woken by the sound of water seeping into our home. As water started coming in, our furniture began soaking it up and essentially our bottom floor was covered in water.
Maribyrnong, VIC
Hi! My name is Patrick, and I was affected by the recent floods which occurred throughout Victoria. I am currently working full time at an accounting firm and therefore spend majority of my time in Melbourne CBD. I live in Maribyrnong, Victoria, which is a suburb only around 15 minutes from the city.
Living in such proximity to a major city, I did not have much experience with climate change and its effects. It was not until last month when I felt the seriousness of climate change because myself, my family and my friends were impacted by the floods. We were warned to prepare for flooding throughout Victoria, but my family and I did not expect it to become as serious as it did. We went to sleep feeling anxious about how the heavy rain would affect us, and we were woken by the sound of water seeping into our home. It was the first time that this has happened and we felt extremely nervous about how it was going to ruin our house and our possessions inside it. As water started coming in, our furniture began soaking it up and essentially our bottom floor was covered in water. We were able to clear a lot of the floor to protect our belongings, however the next morning when we looked further into it, we realized some of our furniture was damaged and irreparable. It was clear that we were not the only family to face this issue as there was a section in our street filled with piles of furniture and damaged goods from the overnight flooding. It was sad to see that so many of us were affected by something that could have been avoided altogether.
Since that week, my family and I have considered moving elsewhere to avoid a situation like this from happening again. We are well within Spring and it continues to rain heavily. For most of my life the effects of climate harm was not clear to me but after the flooding I strongly feel that change needs to happen as soon as possible.
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I am surrounding by an ocean of drowning trees. They are not drowning in water, they are thirsty for it. Brown as scabs and waving like flags throughout the forest, on roadsides, and in backyards, Endlessly and silently gesturing to all of us. You can see them out of the corner of your eye, Niggling at the edge of our thoughts, As we relentlessly drive on without changing lanes, slowing down or coming to a stop. If we did that, we would have to turn and look. Like properly look, Noticing something for the first time that has been there all along. The forest that is, which has existed and perfected its survivorship over thousands of generations. We call it the Jarrah forest, and it is found nowhere else in the world. It has loved and nurtured the people of the south west of WA, Without question and without asking anything in return. It has given breath to our lungs, pure water for drinking and sacred footpaths to tread. It could have lasted forever if we had chosen to tread carefully, And looked after it like we would our own kin. The least we could have done is look after it. The sheer number of dying trees is new, and that’s what’s waving to us, As they are drowning in the hot, dry air; New saplings that have germinated after a brutal ‘controlled’ burn, Right before the rain stopped in spring last year. It’s barely rained since, And the tender young plants cannot reach water in time to survive through summer. We are nearly two thirds of the way through autumn, And still it feels like summer. We will get rain soon, And we will enjoy the lush, earthy smells and green tones, That will please our eyes and calm our minds. The new brown scabs will remain, Reminding us of the groundwater that we can’t see, That has been depleting every year. It will remain out of reach for the old, old trees, Not just the young saplings; The grandmothers of the landscape are dying. First you see the grey-green crown start to fade, And then turn yellow, And then brown, like weak tea. Without the elders and the saplings, What is left? And what will come next? Not air for our lungs. Or water for our bodies. Or shaded footpaths. The forest will no longer be safe. Just one word, and you will know; Fire. Everyone who thinks that we don’t need the forest to survive, Will realise too late. Or perhaps they don’t think at all. Or perhaps they know, and they choose to ignore. Or perhaps they think that we have dominion over the forest, And it is there to take from what we want, And the consequences are too far in the future to worry about now. Except they are not. Those poor, drowning trees. Not drowning in water, thirsty for it. Not waving, but drowning in the hot, dry air.
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