The Rise of Smoky Skies: A New Normal in the Climate Change Era

Smoky Skies and the Changing Face of Wildfires in the Age of Climate Change

In the wake of increasingly frequent and intense wildfires, the term "wildfire" might no longer accurately capture the nature of these destructive phenomena. As the world warms and climate change takes hold, smoky skies and the threat of wildfires have become a new normal – or rather, a "new abnormal." Scientists argue that the term "new normal" implies a stable pattern, whereas the reality is that conditions are only getting worse. With wildfires consuming three times more land in the US and Canada compared to the 1980s, experts warn that the problem will worsen unless greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced. The consequences of wildfire smoke, including reduced air quality and adverse health effects, are becoming increasingly pervasive, affecting millions of people and causing hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. As fire seasons lengthen and the risk of wildfires intensify, experts stress the need to adapt to this fraught reality and take meaningful action to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Limiting the Impact: Adverse Health Effects and Reduced Air Quality from Wildfire Smoke

Smoky Skies and the Changing Face of Wildfires in the Age of Climate Change

In the wake of increasingly frequent and intense wildfires, the term "wildfire" might no longer accurately capture the nature of these destructive phenomena. As the world warms and climate change takes hold, smoky skies and the threat of wildfires have become a new normal – or rather, a "new abnormal." Scientists argue that the term "new normal" implies a stable pattern, whereas the reality is that conditions are only getting worse.

Increasing Frequency and Intensity of Wildfires

With wildfires consuming three times more land in the US and Canada compared to the 1980s, experts warn that the problem will worsen unless greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced. The type of fires seen this year in western Canada are in amounts scientists and computer models predicted for the 2030s and 2040s. This increase in wildfires can be attributed to global warming, which is causing extreme weather conditions, especially drought, in many regions. As the atmosphere dries, it creates more fuel that burns easier, faster, and with greater intensity, leading to larger and more destructive fires.

Adverse Health Effects and Reduced Air Quality

The consequences of wildfire smoke go beyond the immediate danger

Summing it up

Smoky skies and the changing face of wildfires are inextricably linked to the escalating impacts of climate change. As the world warms, the frequency and intensity of wildfires have increased significantly, consuming three times more land in the US and Canada compared to the 1980s. The rise in wildfires can be attributed to global warming, which is causing extreme weather conditions, particularly drought, in many regions. These conditions create the perfect environment for fires to burn more easily, rapidly, and with greater intensity, leading to larger and more destructive fires. However, the consequences of wildfires extend beyond the immediate danger of fire. The smoke generated by wildfires poses a severe threat to air quality, resulting in reduced air quality and adverse health effects. Millions of people are affected, and hundreds of thousands of deaths are caused each year as a result of exposure to wildfire smoke. This growing menace of smoky skies is a direct consequence of climate change. To address this escalating crisis, urgent action is needed. It is imperative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly to mitigate the risks posed by wildfires. By taking meaningful steps towards curbing climate change, such as transitioning to renewable energy sources, implementing sustainable land and forest management practices, and promoting awareness and advocacy, we can work towards mitigating the impacts of climate change and ensure a safer and healthier future for all. It is only through collective efforts and immediate action that we can mitigate the devastating effects of smoky skies and preserve the planet for generations to come.
Originally Published at: https://fortune.com/2023/07/01/why-wildfires-smoke-air-how-long-bad-climate-change/ Business Topic: Environment