Climate Catastrophe Animal Vid of the Week
December 29, 2019
The suffering of animals due to climate change is, and will be, immense.
Of course, for climate deniers, that calls for high fives all around.
Around 480 million animals are feared to have died in the bushfires sweeping Australia, including nearly a third of the koalas in New South Wales‘s main habitat.
Ecologists at the University of Sydney estimate around 480 million mammals, birds and reptiles have been killed, directly or indirectly, by the devastating blazes since they began in September, The Times reported.
This includes almost 8,000 koalas, which are believed to have burnt to death on the state’s mid-north coast.
The region, which lies around 240 miles north of Sydney, is home to the largest number of Australia’s koalas, with a population of up to 28,000.
Federal environment minister Sussan Ley told ABC “up to 30 per cent of the population in that region” may have been killed, because around 30 per cent of their habitat has been destroyed.
“We’ll know more when the fires have calmed down and a proper assessment can be made,” she added.
More than 100 fires continue to rage across the country, having so far consumed more than five million hectares of land.
Climate Denial Crock of the Week 
December 29, 2019 at 1:22 pm
Good On Ya, Ozzies! It would appear that the loss of numbers and loss of habitat may be setting up the koalas for extinction. Save as many as you can—-they are too cute to be allowed to die off.
PS Watch the clip on Youtube and view the other Koala follow-on clips that pop—-they will make you smile.
December 29, 2019 at 3:53 pm
Truly shocking!
December 29, 2019 at 7:49 pm
It’s hard to be hopeful about politics in Oz… the treatment of refugees has been brutal for decades, including indefinite imprisonment in isolated camps; when it was first getting underway (early 2000’s) I couldn’t believe they would continue the policy for long (especially when it was revealed that Howard had lied about the video he used to suggest refugees were throwing their children into the water to force the Australian navy to rescue them…). But it’s still underway, and their current PM gives no F**Ks at all for the climate, the fires, the Great Barrier Reef or anything else but power and privilege…
December 29, 2019 at 10:39 pm
We appear to be seeing rapid evolution in progress. Koala supposedly means ‘does not drink’. Well not anymore. Also, at best they were indifferent to humans, traditionally avoided them like the plaque. People put out watering points for them and the word has got around ( how? ) that humans are good.
These cute, but otherwise useless creatures, bring happiness to millions by their very existence.
Adelaide today a DEBILITATING 40 deg C. That would be freak heat in December (any month actually) not long ago. NOT unusual anymore!
December 30, 2019 at 6:52 pm
First time ever that Tasmania hit the 40°C mark.
December 30, 2019 at 7:02 pm
Tasmania is having some serious water problems—-drying out on land and extreme warming in the ocean that is killing much kelp and other critters.
January 1, 2020 at 1:17 am
YEP!