Climate Change

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X.​ Wildfire

Wildfire smoke causing more frequent bad air days in Oregon, DEQ report shows

July 5, 2023

Oregon Public Broadcasting

As wildfires become larger and more frequent, air quality in Oregon has suffered. Days that hit air pollution levels considered dangerous for at least some people have increased sharply since 2015, according to a report from the state's Department of Environmental Quality. Click here

Number of People Exposed to Wildfires Has Doubled Since 2000

July 3, 2023

The Daily Beast

Over the past two decades, a staggering 21.8 million Americans found themselves living within 3 miles of a large wildfire. Most of those residents would have had to evacuate, and many would have been exposed to smoke and emotional trauma from the fire. Nearly 600,000 of them were directly exposed to the fire, with their homes inside the wildfire perimeter. Click here

Dangerous fire weather conditions becoming more common across U.S.

June 2023

Andrew Freedman (AXIOS)

Fire weather days ­ featuring a volatile mix of low humidity, strong winds and high temperatures ­ have increased in number across much of the Lower 48 states during the past 50 years, a new analysis shows. Click here

World likely to breach 1.5C climate threshold by 2027, scientists warn.

May 2023

The Guardian

This article highlights the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) research, which reveals the record-breaking temperatures as a consequence of global heating. It underscores the need for immediate action to address the climate crisis and mitigate its devastating consequences.

The WMO's findings emphasize that the average global temperature has surpassed previous records, further exacerbating the climate emergency. The article points out that this trend is a result of human-induced activities, such as greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels. Click here

The Fossil Fuels Behind Forest Fires

May 2023

K. Dahl, et al (Union of Concerned Scientists

The article from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) highlights the link between fossil fuels and forest fires, emphasizing that the extraction, production, and use of these fuels contribute to climate change and the conditions that increase the risk and severity of wildfires. It underscores the importance of transitioning to cleaner energy sources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address the underlying factors driving these fires. Click here

Almost 40% of land burned by western wildfires can be traced to carbon emissions

May 2023

Alex Wigglesworth (L.A.Times)

The article from Yahoo News reports that nearly 40% of the land in the western United States has been affected by wildfires. The information is based on data from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). The article highlights the extent of the damage caused by the fires, which have ravaged vast areas and resulted in significant ecological and environmental consequences.

The article points out that the western states have experienced prolonged drought conditions, which have contributed to the increased risk and severity of wildfires. It also mentions that climate change plays a role in exacerbating these conditions, as rising temperatures and changing weather patterns create a more conducive environment for fires to spread rapidly. Click here

Explainer: How climate change is increasing the risk of wildfires.

July 2020

Daisy Dunne (CarbonBrief)

The article from Carbon Brief provides an explanation of how climate change is influencing wildfires globally. It discusses the various ways in which rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and other climate-related factors contribute to the increased frequency and severity of wildfires.

The article highlights the relationship between rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and the increased frequency and severity of wildfires. The article acknowledges the complex nature of wildfires and the importance of considering various factors, including climate change, to understand and address this growing issue. Click here

The Impact of Climate Change on Wildfire Severity: A Regional Forecast for Northern California

January 2004

J. Fried, E. Mills (Climate Change)

This scientific study reviews and synthesizes existing research on the connection between climate change and wildfire severity. Including climatic change resulting in more frequent and more intense fires in northern California where escape frequencies increased by more than 100%, based on relatively conservative general circulation models (GCM) output and despite more extensive utilization of available firefighting forces.

The greatest increases in fire spread rates and area burned occur in landscapes dominated by grass and brush. Only 9 of the 114 additional escapes occur in high population areas due to the greater depth of fire suppression resources available. Click here

Attribution of the Influence of Human-Induced Climate Change on an Extreme Fire Season

January 2019

M.C. Kirchmeier-Young, N., Gillett, et all (Advancing Earth and Science)

This research paper examines the influence of anthropogenic climate change on a specific extreme fire season, providing evidence of its contribution to the severity of the fires. Click here

Megafires — The Growing Risk to America’s Forests, Communities, and Wildlife

October 2017

C. Skeens (National Wildlife Foundation)

The article from the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) announces the release of a report on the increasing prevalence and severity of "megafires" in the United States. It underscores the role of climate change and forest management practices in fueling these fires and emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to mitigate their impacts. Click here