There have been two fires not too far from where I live, one was so close that I watched the airdrops of water that eventually knocked it out. Another fire started, also not too far from my neighborhood and is still raging into the desert and another county. When I first saw the plume of smoke rising over the surrounding hills, my heart stopped because it is hard to tell where the fire actually is unless you gain some altitude to locate it. It’s been worrying for everyone in Southern California as we all look at the dry brush throughout and knowing that if anything sparks it, both people and wildlife will be impacted and many animals will lose their lives. There was a great deal of precipitation in California, but the heat has dried out all the vegetation that grew from that abundant rain and is brittle tinder that can ignite easily and is unstoppable because everything across the state is so dry. The Park Fire is larger than the size of Los Angeles and it is not close to being put out.
Wildfires are deadly to people, wildlife, and plants. When they are infernos, there is little anything can do to outrun it. Right now there are over 90 wildfires burning across the US. This is just the US. Our world is on fire and we need each need to take steps to combat climate change.
As temperatures rise around the world, wildfires are posing threats to many countries like Canada, Brazil, Australia, and Greece to name a few. If it is not wildfires, then countries are facing flooding like in France where farmers are struggling to meet their yields as in previous years.
It is a lie to think anywhere on this planet is immune to climate change. Our world is dying because of our pollution that we, and previous generations, have poisoned what was once pristine and thriving. Each day that we do not acknowledge our impacts and how we affect the environment is one more day that we add to the pollution that is accelerating climate change to the point that this planet might never heal.
There will be more fires.
There will be less water.
There will be less food.
There will be an astronomical increase in the cost of goods and energy.
We are just beginning to experience climate change. If we cannot change our over-consuming ways, then nothing will improve and this world will be doomed.
Consume less.
Conserve more.
Our mindsets have to change if we want to save our planet and the future. Before you do something, think about the environmental impact it will have and choose what will not negatively impact the environment. Your choices do make a difference. Together we can turn things around for our planet.
Articles for reference. Please read and share.
Axios: Climate whiplash is fueling California’s Park Fire
The New York Times: Where Wildfires and Smoke Are Spreading Now
KOMO: Gov. Inslee declares statewide emergency as wildfires lead to fuel shortages
Bloomberg: Wildfires Are Getting Weirder. Case in Point: Firenados.
Copernicus: 2023: A year of intense global wildfire activity