“Wildfires Linked toClimate change” is an Article connecting the recent increase in the incidences
of wildfire to the change in the climate. Kaley Belval, the author of the
piece, tries to explain the growth of wildfires to the increase in the global temperature
from the negative changes to the climate.
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| Nasa Image of the Scarred land (black) from the Colorado Wildfire |
The changes in the
Earth’s climate can be contributed to many factors. Global warming is one of
the main contributors to the metamorphosis of our climate. Greenhouse gases are
one of the main culprits in the degradation of our ozone layer which leads to
the increase in the global temperature of the Earth. Greenhouse gases work by
absorbing the sun’s heat and releasing it into the atmosphere. These gases
include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and chlorofluorocarbons which all
have contributed to the depletion of the ozone layer because they absorb radiation
and send them back into the atmosphere creating these “holes” in the ozone
layer which allow for more dangerous radiation from the sun to penetrate the
earth’s atmosphere and essentially increase the overall temperature. Although
an increase in the temperature seems superficial, this increase poses dangerous
ramifications on our ecological system which affects all forms of life and our
environment in a negative manner. The evidence
of this increase in the global temperature is evident in the increased
incidences of wildfires in the United States. Recently, wildfires have had a
constant presence in the local and national news. There have been raging
wildfires throughout the United States more recently in Colorado. These
wildfires have devastated ecosystems, affecting humans, animals, and the
environment. All of these wildfires have destroyed vast amounts of land,
habitats for animals, as well as the property of many people. Colorado in
particular has experienced severe wildfires throughout June and July. According
to the “Wildfires Linked to Climate Change” Article, Colorado has experienced a
loss of over 18,000 acres from these wildfires ravishing Colorado. Scientists have contributed the recent
increase of incidences of wildfires to numerous reasons, particularly the
change climate conditions according to Kaley Belval. According to this article, the increase in
global temperatures has led to the increase of wildfires which in turn lead to
the compounding loss of land in the Western United States. The evidence of the
increased global temperatures can be proven by the occurrence of heat records
being broken in the United States this year. Kaley Belval states that this year
has been the hottest year witnessed in the United States ever, and there have
been approximately 30,000 wildfires that have occurred in this year alone.
Although the article
doesn’t delve too much into how exactly the changed climate has affected the occurrences
of wildfires, I would like to know what else besides greenhouse gases and
pollution have altered the environment and influenced the incidences of
wildfires such as logging. Also, what measurements have bureaucratic agencies
and organizations taken in order to try and control the factors that contribute
to the growth of wildfires, and what people can do to lower the occurrences of
these wildfires as well as the lasting ramifications of the fires.
I think it is possible that climate change might increase the frequency of wildfires since world temperature is increasing and frequent droughts. But, there are many other factors that need to be taking into account when doing the studies. It could be possible that these wildfires may add on to the global warming as well and probably make it worse.
ReplyDeleteI believe that global warming is a serious issue and that the media should make it a point to educate the public about its negative, future consequences if this trend continues. Since it is proven that accumulation of green gases significantly contribute to global warming and depletion of the protective ozone layer, it would be advisable for us to seek means to reduce the amount of air pollution created by these gases, which are often released from motor vehicles and by chemical industries. In addition, I think it would be helpful if corresponding investigations are conducted to find out the number of skin cancer incidents which are correlated with exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun, caused due to increasing depletion of the ozone layer. This would probably coax the public to play a more active role in reducing global warming by regulating air pollution.
ReplyDeleteGlobal warming is one of the major issues that the world as a whole is facing today. Erratic climate changes and the green house effect are the main , brutal causes that have been erupting because of global warming. Due to this , related to this article, wildfires are one of the most dangerous natural disasters are very frequently occurring around the world in turn ruining and destroying the natural environment in a way also reducing the food available for animals in the wild, thus damaging the animal population. Hence , today we hear about the extinction of various kinds of creatures. Acres and acres of land are damaged because of these wildfires emitting enormous amounts of pollutants in the environment. As the earlier comment also stated this causes the depletion of the ozone layer which is another important concern to the world today. My argument here is that this article has brought into light a very very important discussion of how to start tackling this problem to better the conditions of the world today ? There has to be an end to this issue that mankind is contributing to. We as educated human beings should take a stance and contribute in our way to better the environment, so as to reduce global warming even by a small percentage.
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ReplyDeleteBesides global warming having an impact on creating these wildfires, some of these fires have also been man made by both campers and loggers. By not respecting the area they camp on, campers can cause wildfires just from not extinguishing their campfire properly, leaving glass shards in their area for the sun to catch and start a fire, not properly lighting off fireworks, etc. Then when loggers clear huge areas of forest, they leave an environment that is hotter and drier, as there are less trees to shade the area, creating the perfect conditions for a fire to start. Even though the U.S Forest Service recognizes this trend, they are spending millions of dollars through taxpayers to try and suppress these fires not to protect the eco system within these forests but to make sure that the economic value of the forests they're protecting does not drop so that logging companies can continue to gain financially. There needs to be more education taught in schools and other places on ways and reasons why to respect nature, as well as more environmental organizations that protest against loggers destroying such large areas of land.
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