Yesterday in my home town we had the hottest day on record. It was
unbearable. When you went outside it was so hot it was difficult to breathe
There are still terrible bushfires burning. They are the worst bush fires we
have ever had. So far 66 people are dead and we expect the death toll will
rise to well above 100. Far more have suffered horrendous burns. Over 700
homes have been destroyed. Whole townships have been razed as if they were
carpet bombed. God knows how many animals kangaroos, possums, koalas, cattle
and sheep have been killed and injured. I saw images on the television of
kangaroos jumping away from the flames as fast as they could in these
searing conditions. They must have been exhausted and dehydrated if they
ever made it to safety.
And at the same time as all this, I was facilitating a constellation
workshop. Some participants had their own homes directly threatened.
Everyone knew someone in danger or directly affected. The premier of our
state of Victoria cried on television. The prime minister took a grown man
into his arms who was sobbing. Australians usually bear crisis with defiant
good humour. This was different.
This was our hurricane Katrina. I am afraid we all more and more vulnerable
to extreme weather events like this with global warming. Please send us your
good wishes. God knows we need them.
hasta la vista
Chris Walsh
Melbourne, Australia
webpage: <http://www.cwalsh.com.au> www.cwalsh.com.au
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