Table of Contents
The True Scale of Climate Change: California Wildfires
Worse than Previous Fires
California wildfires due to climate change. have hit unprecedented levels of destruction in recent years. In 2020, over 10,000 fires have burned over 4 million acres of land. This has caused hundreds of billions of dollars in damages. The size, speed, and intensity of these California wildfires due to climate change surpasses those of the past.
Hotter Climate Change for Larger Infernos
The cause of the current California wildfires is the ultra-arid and hotter climate. Heat waves throughout the state in the summer of 2020 made for ground-level temperatures that were well above average. This made it nearly impossible for firefighters to control the raging blazes. Higher temperatures also create more dry and brittle vegetation, increasing the risk of a fire starting and spreading. There is growing evidence that the changing climate in California is making these disasters worse.
Negative Effects of California Wildfires on Wildlife and Community
These fires have terrible impacts on the environment, wildlife, and communities. The heat generated by the fires causes major stress and mortality of wildlife, while smoke inhalation is linked to health risks in humans. Air pollution related to the fires also increases respiratory issues, exacerbates existing heart and lung conditions, and irritates the skin. On top of this, land and property destruction can have a long-term economic and psychological impact on the affected towns and families.
Tackling the Problem: Supervised Burning and Removal
To mitigate the effects of climate change, preventative measures need to be taken to reduce the likelihood and severity of future fires. Supervised burning and the removal of flammable vegetation can play a role in reducing the risk of fires, as well as removing potential fuels for large and intense fires.
The Role of Public Policy for Climate change and California wildfires
It is essential that conservation and sustainability strategies are implemented into public policy. This is to ensure that mitigation measures are based on the best science and methods, and are implemented in the most effective way. To do this, policy makers must prioritize projects and programs that support wildfire resilience and ensure the availability of resources.
Conclusion
Will California survive climate change? California’s 2020 wildfires have burned over 4 million acres of land and have caused hundreds of billions of dollars in damages. The heat wave has made it difficult for firefighters to control the blazes, and has caused terrible impacts on the environment, wildlife, and local communities. To prevent future disasters, supervised burning and flammable vegetation removal must be prioritized, and public policy must prioritize projects and programs that support wildfire resilience. Unfortunately, if climate change is left unchecked, future fires could be just as severe, if not worse.