Friend -- the fires in Australia are a climate disaster.

At least 24 people have died since the wildfire season started, and thousands more have been evacuated -- millions of acres of land have been scorched, and thousands of homes have been destroyed. By some estimates, half a billion animals have been killed -- bringing some species to the brink of extinction.

I'm heartbroken for the people of Australia. Some people say climate action costs too much. But inaction is costing us, dearly, every day.

What's happening right now in Australia is what happens when a government ignores climate change -- and when they're owned by the fossil fuel industry.

This is what happens when a government is actively hostile toward climate action. When a political leader holds a lump of coal up in Parliament, laughs, and claims joyously: _This won't hurt you._

Australia's economy relied for years on selling coal to the world -- but an economy reliant on fossil fuels has led to apocalyptic wildfires that have consumed much of the country.

Disasters like this will keep happening as long as leaders ignore the threat of climate change. The fact is, climate change is no longer a looming distant threat -- everyone affected by the wildfires in Australia and California, hurricanes on the East Coast, and floods in the Plains can tell you that. _It's happening now._ And it will get worse unless we, especially our leaders, act boldly.

This is exactly why Democratic presidential candidates must prioritize climate change and take up my 100% Clean Energy for America plan. Taking on Big Oil and Big Coal is more important than ever and will grow our economy and act in the best interests of our own national security.

We'll keep fighting for a permanent, real solution to defeat climate change. Let's be really blunt about this: We can't spend the next century sending out emails asking for people to donate to a charity to respond to every climate disaster. It's not sustainable. It's not the way to build a future worthy of the next generation and the generation after that.

But as we fight for global change, Australia needs our help right now. You can see the New York Times' list of the ways you can help Australians and Australian wildlife right here, ([link removed]) AND I HOPE YOU'LL DO WHATEVER YOU CAN -- THEN RECOMMIT WITH ME TO THE FIGHT TO DEFEAT CLIMATE CHANGE IN 2020.

Very truly yours,

Jay



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