01. I’m sure Australia’s bushfires have made world news. The stats* are staggering and almost incomprehensible. I won’t turn this into a rant about our government’s lack of action (no, even acknowledgment) on climate change but this article is worth a read.
“Australia is the canary in the coal mine.”
02. Post Christmas, my TBR stack blew out to 317…
03. Is it too early to start thinking about Stella Prize predictions?
04. This article on reading books in the age of the internet.
05. My family is heading into peak-board-game-playing-season, so this tweet made me laugh.
06. I’m a huge fan of river beaches and one finally made the list of Australia’s best beaches.
07. This Is Going To Hurt by Adam Kay – the comedy show.
08. ‘Best culture 2019’ – lists of movies, tv shows, music, theatre and podcasts you might have missed.
09. ‘Without women the novel would die’ – interesting.
10. I think the Australian cover better represents the story, but the US cover of Charlotte Wood’s The Weekend is gorgeous nonetheless.
Bookish Thoughts is hosted by Christine at Bookishly Boisterous. Pop by, say hi.
*At last count:
- 11.3 million acres destroyed (the Amazon fires were 2.24 million acres) – this area is bigger than the Netherlands
- 2500 buildings destroyed, and thousands of people displaced
- 21 people dead but six more unaccounted for (this is far less than the Black Saturday fires, mostly because legislation put in place after those fires enabled the state government to force evacuations)
- 480 million animals killed.
Hard to grasp how anyone can deny the reality of climate change in the face of such ferocious fires but unfortunately it seems many still do throughout the world – some of them in positions of power.
I have always read and am always astonished to be told it is a gendered activity. Perhaps I’m a bit like the woman who has always done woodwork.
Yes, well I’m the one who owns the power tools in our house!
Some great links here as always Kate, thank you!
The figures on Australia are absolutely staggering. I am so sad about the human and animal suffering. I hope you’re safe where you are?
We are safe but family and friends have not been so lucky. My cousin (who lives in another state) lost her business and friends in regional areas have been evacuated. The biggest problem for Melburnians is the layer of smoke which has made air quality extremely bad – had a few days where we’ve had to stay inside.
Watching the coverage of the fires is absolutely heartbreaking. How there can be climate change deniers is beyond comprehension. Stay safe x
Our government had been firm deniers up until this week and are now trying to deny that they denied… 🙄
This is all so sad
They keep publishing maps to demonstrate the area that is burning – basically the size of The Netherlands/ most of England – it certainly puts it in perspective.
01. So devastating.
02. Mine is completely out of control.
03. Never too early.
04. Interesting.
08. Definitely bookmarking this.
That article about Australia as the canary for climate change impact makes for sobering reading. One thing I don’t understand is why there hasn’t been more of an international effort to help tackle these fires – the emergency services personnel on the ground must be exhausted and surely could do with some support?
My heart is breaking for Australia. Just… breaking.