Wildfires dominate the headlines – but the media coverage focuses only on effects while ignoring a major cause. Talking about western wildfires without mentioning climate change is like talking about lung cancer without mentioning cigarettes.

---

 Notes:

"There’s compelling evidence that talking about western wildfires without mentioning climate change is like talking about lung cancer without mentioning cigarettes." Amanda Staudt.

When climate impacts are reported without reference to climate change, it is harder for people to connect the dots and to address the ultimate cause, human greenhouse gas emissions. Instead, they are left dealing with the symptoms while the disease gets worse.

Climate scientists have identified several ways that a warming planet will increase forest fire risk.

• Longer fire seasons
• Drier conditions
• More fuel for forest fires
• Increased frequency of lightning strikes

These linkages need to be spelled out so people can connect the dots.

Amanda Straudt says,

To prevent wildfires from getting much worse and to limit the risks to communities and wildlife, we must reduce carbon pollution. Just this week a new climate study came out making projections that many areas of the world, including the western United States, should expect even more fires if we continue spewing carbon pollution into the atmosphere.

 

 

Source: Amanda Straudt, National Wildlife Federation

Image: Nature's Fury