Australian bushfires: Pink donates $500,000 to firefighters, Selena Gomez & Kim Kardashian spread awareness
Several celebrities have taken to social media and pleaded with followers to donate to funds that are contributing toward firefighters tackling the wildfires raging across Australia.
Pop star Pink took to Twitter and appealed to her 32.2 million followers to donate to the firefighters, and shared links to the various fire services combating the blazes across the country. She promised to do her part and give half a million towards the cause.
"I am totally devastated watching what is happening in Australia right now with the horrific bushfires," she wrote. "I am pledging a donation of $500,000 directly to the local fire services that are battling so hard on the frontlines. My heart goes out to our friends and family in Oz."
Selena Gomez, 27, was another celebrity who spoke up about the bushfires and shared a link to an article explaining how those who want to help the country can do so in numerous ways.
"Absolutely devastated by the fires in Australia," she wrote. "Praying for everyone affected and all of the first responders. I'm making a donation and would love if you would consider doing the same if you can."
Kim Kardashian raised awareness of the plight in the country as well to her 62 million followers and shared a Bernie Sanders tweet highlighting the impact of climate change.
"I say to those who are delaying action on climate change: Look at the blood-red sky and unbreathable air in Australia because of raging forest fires," Sanders had written. "Our futures are all connected. That is why we must bring the world together and enact a Green New Deal."
Her sister Kourtney was no different, sharing an article that revealed how more than half a billion animals had perished in the wildfires so far.
MEAWW had previously reported that more than 130 fires are currently burning across New South Wales and Victoria with no signs of abating and that ecologists from the University of Sydney had said it had claimed the lives of 480 million mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Even Chris Brown seemed moved by the situation in the country, with the 30-year-old singer posting a heartbreaking message sent to him by a fan begging him to help spread awareness.
"Australia is burning please help us," the message read. "We really need any kind of help [or] donations or awareness spread. When California was on fire in 2018, our firefighters were right there helping put the blazes out [but] this is 1000x worse then any fire in history."
"California burnt 800,000 hectares in 2018. Australia has already burnt four MILLION hectares," it continued. "Canberra Australia has the worst air pollution in the WHOLE WORLD right now."
More than 14.7 million acres of land have been burned by the fires to date, which represents an area larger than the countries of Belgium and Haiti combined.
The fires have also claimed 23 lives and destroyed over 1,500 homes, and with strong winds and high temperatures predicted for the coming week, conditions could yet get worse.