November 11, 2019

Andrew Campbell 

Although Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack publicly denied recent catastrophic bushfires in Australia linked to climate change, the state of New South Wales government has declared a state of emergency, the worst ever in the country’s history.

The Air Quality Index is adopted as a measurement of particulate matters PM2.5 and PM10, Ozone O3, Nitrogen Dioxide NO2, Sulfur Dioxide SO2, and Carbon Monoxide CO emissions in the air. On November 12, Sydney was recorded 153 on its Air Quality Index at an unhealthy level. The worsening air was polluted by more than a hundred bushfires lately in the region.

Firefighters have been battling blazes across Australia. Some people lost their lives and more than 100 homes were destroyed. In addition,  it was reported at least 350 koalas also died due to bushfires.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the compelling scientific consensus shows that Australia's bushfire season is becoming longer and more intense, a phenomenon highly linking to climate change. In Australia, a catastrophic rating is determined on several contributing factors including dryness, humidity, temperature, and wind conditions. Some regions of eastern New South Wales and the Greater Sydney most recently have declared a catastrophic fire danger since November 12.

Photo:Webshot.