Canada's Wildfires and Climate Change: Are They Related?
What was the cause of the latest Canadian Wildfires and were they related to climate change?
You have likely heard about the latest wildfires that have devastated Canada. If not for the fires, you would have seen the pictures of murky-orange smoke plaguing cities. People were told to stay at home because of how bad the air quality was.
These wildfires have set Canada on a path of being the worst wildfire season they have ever had.
Is this a result of climate change or something else? In short, yes - these wildfires are a result of climate change. There is a clear connection between our warming planet and the number of wildfires worldwide.
In recent years, Canada has experienced several devastating wildfires which you may have heard about in the news. For example, in 2016, the Fort McMurray wildfire destroyed over 2,400 homes and businesses and forced the evacuation of over 80,000 people. In 2018, the B.C. wildfires burned over 1.2 million hectares of land and, unfortunately, killed 25 people. And in 2021, the Lytton wildfire destroyed the town of Lytton, British Columbia, and, sadly, killed two people.
These wildfires have raised concerns about the relationship between climate change and wildfires. Climate change is causing longer and more intense heat waves. These heat waves are creating ideal conditions for wildfires to start and spread - something that we are seeing before our very eyes.
In addition to warmer temperatures, climate change is also causing changes in precipitation patterns. In some areas, there is less precipitation, which is making forests drier and more susceptible to fire. In other areas, there is more precipitation, which is leading to flooding and landslides - two major issues that we, globally, are facing right now. These changes in precipitation patterns are also making it more difficult to fight the wildfires which makes them more deadly and disastrous.
Evidence supports this theory, too. The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2021 found that dry, hot, and windy conditions (also known as fire weather) are becoming more prevalent and will continue to become more common as climate change gets worse.
What can we do to prevent wildfires?
There are many things that we can do to prevent wildfires, such as:
Reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, which contribute to climate change.
Invest in renewable energy. Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels will only be possible if we invest in renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, which do not produce greenhouse gasses.
Protect our forests. We can protect our forests by conducting forest management activities, such as thinning trees and creating firebreaks.
Be prepared for wildfires. We can be better prepared for wildfires.
Wildfires are just one of the many ways that a warming planet is impacting our world. Fire is only going to get worse if we don't try to prevent a warming planet and prepare for these changes.
Every little bit helps. By taking action, we can all make a difference. You can find out more about how we slow down climate change here.