I read the news. “More than a billion animals dead.” Then I sat on my bed and sobbed. Truly. I sobbed. And I bet I’m not the only one.
And it’s not just the animals. Sadly, so much has been lost in the Australian wildfire, just so much. Dear Aussie friends of mine know several families whose homes burned, and there are plenty of others among the expat community in Singapore who are closely connected in some way to the sufferers. Farms are completely gone. Lives have been lost. And a way of life has disappeared for so many.
The bad news
While Australia has certainly copped the worst and largest fires of recent times, it has not been the only place to suffer. One headline read, “2019 Was the Year the World Burned”.
For California, 2019 wasn’t as bad as 2018, but it was still pretty awful. In fact, seven of California’s ten most destructive fires have taken place in the past four years. The Amazon? Eighty-thousand fires burned in 2019, an increase of more than seventy-five percent from 2018 (yet all those fires are only half as big as Australia’s). Russia’s Siberia saw hundreds of fires, too. While several of these were closer to cities than in the past, many were so remote that they weren’t fought; the resultant smoke created a global environmental hazard with three hundred megatons of carbon dioxide released. Then, of course, there’s Indonesia on our doorstep. Last year’s annual burning of the palm oil fields proved particularly destructive.
One possible answer
This story is from the March 2020 edition of EL Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2020 edition of EL Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Do You Know What You're Breathing?
From air purifiers to mould remediation, there are ways you can help create a healthier home environment for yourself and your family. We asked the team from Initial Hygiene and Rentokil in Singapore about how to breathe better air indoors.
Start the Day Right
Rise and shine! From a trendy neighbourhood café and bistro to a brunch option that lets you still have a lie-in, Singapore's breakfast scene is buzzing. Here are a couple of our favourite tables!
A Magical FOREST
Expat Living's MELANIE LAM heads to a small Japanese island for hiking and forest bathing in an exquisite setting.
Cool & Classy
Chic looks from Silk Walk's different collections that will keep you feeling breezy, whether it's in the Singapore sun or on a tropical holiday.
Ankle Agony!
Our ankles are heavy lifters when it comes to keeping us up and about. So sufferers of ankle osteoarthritis know only too well how debilitating it can be when this joint is affected. Here, consultant orthopaedic surgeon DR KEVIN KOO gives advice on symptoms, causes and treatments to ease this painful condition.
Smiles for Miles!
Early intervention dental care is in demand, and treatment options now go well beyond traditional braces.
Harnessing Art for Therapy & Growth
A look at a non-verbal therapy that helps patients navigate the complexities of trauma and aids in personal development.
Profile: Danielle Van de Velde
Tapping into Singapore's spiritual side.
Walking to Help: The MacRitchie Challenge
Since early 2023, British expat TOM PLATTS has been doing a great job raising money for the Singapore charity Dementia Singapore. What's even more impressive is that he's done it in a healthy, social and fun way!
WHAT'S YOUR HYDRATION SITUATION?
When it comes to the elixir of life, the debate between spring and filtered water has long been a topic of discussion.