The Effect (People and Environment)

How people were affected

How the environment was affected

When extreme bushfires get out of control, someone will most likely get affected by it. To elaborate, bushfires produce smoke in which it affects one’s respiratory system. According to a survey, about 26% (out of 57%) of people reported health issues from the blaze. In addition, bushfires can also affect one’s home by getting their property completely burn. This leaves many people homeless, and can affect their mental state due to losing pets, homes, and belongings. Another survey was conducted and showed that 33% (out of 57%) had a change of routine due to the poor health conditions. That’s not all it affects the agriculture by destroying livestock and razed vineyards. Furthermore, it’ll be hard to recover due to the drought in Australia. Lastly, Victoria and New South wales are Australia’s key milk producing states, suffered the most.

This video basically shows how people are affected by the fire. It also shows how the environment is affected.

Just like humans, animals are getting affected by the bushfires. According to Chris Dickson at the University of Sydney, about one billion animals have been killed, this does not included invertebrates. However, invertebrates, which includes insects, snails, etc., could be dying by the trillions. Additionally, a team of scientists stated that the bushfires pushed at least twenty species towards extinction. Moreover, even though rain is helpful against the flames, it can also spell disaster for Australia. Ash, soot, and charred vegetation could clog up the streams, dams, and beaches, which could lead to algae blooms. This would ultimately threaten water quality, and hurt ecosystems in the water like coral reefs.

The image above shows how bushfires can pose a threat to public health.

The bush fires that are occurring in Australia can also affect the world. To elaborate, smoke billowing from the fires is currently making its way around the planet. In addition, it also injects aerosol into the atmosphere and causing carbon dioxide emissions. NASA satellite's measurements of the ultraviolet aerosol index showed aerosol values at some of the highest levels ever recorded. Larger aerosol values show that the smoke is sitting high up in the atmosphere which is also known as the stratosphere. Large pyrocumulonimbus storms are shooting smoke high up in the air as if they were a volcanic eruption or a nuclear explosion. According to the Washington post, recent studies showed that it can lead to a warming effect (climate change).

The image above shows a satellite image of Australia, and how the smoke is moving around the globe.