It’s been too difficult for me to begin reading about the loss, and I can’t bring myself to look at the aftermath. I’ve had this article saved so I could read it when I was mentally prepared, but I don’t think it’s possible to prepare myself for this much loss.

The catastrophic fires and the disregard for the climate under this government is heart breaking. It’s as if the planet has said, “that’s enough”, and 2020 is the year she’s set off the warning sirens, but STILL they aren’t heard. I try to comprehend the ability to not care about our environment, but I can’t because my values recognise the environment is me, you, and everyone else on this planet, human or not. Not caring about the environment is to not care about anything worthwhile.

Even from an economic perspective it doesn’t make sense to forge ahead in this fiery direction. Oil and gas aren’t profitable and renewable energy is, yet the US and Australian government are going to fund new oil and gas projects as well as subsidise them. There’s a whole newish, growing industry offering job creation and positive externalities, but this government wants to wear down this beaten dead-end path until the end of time.

I just can’t deal with this cruel, stupid insanity any more.