[INFORMATIVE] Wildfires and Climate Change
Wildfires and Climate Change
Zainab Aziz
Introduction
Wildfires have been a natural part of Earth’s ecosystem and play a crucial role in maintaining balance in various habitats. However, in recent decades, wildfires have been occurring more frequently and have grown in severity around the world, destroying different ecosystems, and communities, and causing climate change. This is not a coincidence and is linked to the rising effects of climate change. While wildfires cause climate change, the opposite also occurs. Climate change causes wildfires through dangerous feedback loops, harming the world.
The Science Behind Wildfires
Wildfires are a complex phenomenon that needs specific conditions to start. For wildfires to start and spread, there must be three components; fuel, heat, and oxygen. Fire results from a chemical reaction called combustion, which happens when oxygen combines with a heated fuel source such as trees, grasses, and buildings. The fuel releases a vapor that mixes with oxygen, sustaining the fire. To extinguish the fire, one of the key elements; fuel, heat, or oxygen must be removed from the “fire triangle”. Wildfires spread rapidly and can consume thousands of acres of land in hours. The movement and intensity of the fire rely on the “fire behavior triangle;” fuel, weather, and topography. How a fuel burns, including how fast a fire spreads and the temperature it reaches depends on its moisture level, chemical makeup, and density. Traditionally, wildfires have been started by natural causes like lightning strikes. However human causes such as arson, discarded cigarettes and unattended campfires have become more significant contributors to wildfires.
Climate Change’s Contribution to Increasing Wildfires
Climate change is significantly changing the factors that contribute to wildfires. One of its most immediate effects is the increase in global temperatures. According to NASA, the Earth’s average surface temperature has increased by about 2 degrees Fahrenheit since the late 19th century. This seemingly small increase has profound impacts on forest fire behavior. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration states “Climate changes create warmer, drier conditions, leading to longer and more active fire seasons.” Climate change has already led to a longer wildfire season because of factors like extended summer dry periods, warm springs, and drying soils with vegetation. Additionally, the frequency, severity, and area of fires are at risk because of rising temperatures and dryness. Earlier melting in the spring and reduced snow cover results in less water available during hot summer weather. This results in the risk of wildfires increasing, and fires can start more easily and at higher temperatures.
Wildfires Contribution to Increasing Climate Change
Wildfires are not only worsened by climate change, but they also contribute to it alarmingly. As wildfires burn, they release a great amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, intensifying the greenhouse effect and speeding global warming. The destruction of forests that act like carbon sinks further reduces the Earth’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Additionally, wildfires release other harmful pollutants such as black carbon, brown carbon, and ozone precursors into the atmosphere, affecting radiation and clouds. This feedback loop is dangerous: as wildfires increase due to rising temperatures and drier conditions, they, in turn, release more carbon and other pollutants, leading to further warming.
Impacts of the Wildfire-Climate Cycle
While wildfires have some positive impacts, the consequences of this cycle are devastating for humans and the environment. Wildfires have destroyed 103,900 homes, structures, and businesses since 2005. From January to September 2023, wildfires killed around 310 people worldwide. The smoke and pollutants released by wildfires also pose serious health risks, contributing to respiratory issues, heart disease, and premature death. The largest wildfire was the Australian bushfires of 2019-2020, which killed 3 million animals and endangered many species such as koalas and orangutans.
Mitigation and Adaptation
Addressing the threat of wildfires requires mitigation and adaptation strategies. To help the wildfire crisis, countries such as Brazil, Indonesia, Australia, and the US have made forest management organizations and implemented policies to protect forests. But everyone can make a difference. Restoring wetlands, stopping deforestation, and increasing soil health are powerful solutions to prevent climate change. Healthy soils and forests can store CO2 and reduce global emissions. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is vital to prevent wildfires and other extreme weather conditions like hurricanes. Ways to decrease CO2 emissions in day-to-day lives are to bike, walk, and use public transport more often, reduce waste, use reusable items, and so much more. You can help make an impact, so do it!
Works Cited
“Climate Change Indicators: Wildfires | US EPA.” Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-wildfires. Accessed 11 August 2024.
Davare, Ramani. “The Impact of Wildfires on Biodiversity and the Environment.” Earth.Org, 5 August 2022, https://earth.org/impact-of-wildfires/. Accessed 11 August 2024.
“Evidence.” NASA Science, https://science.nasa.gov/climate-change/evidence/. Accessed 11 August 2024.
“The Impact of Wildfires on Climate and Air Quality.” NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, https://csl.noaa.gov/factsheets/csdWildfiresFIREX.pdf. Accessed 11 August 2024.
Moore, Andrew. “Explainer: How Wildfires Start and Spread | College of Natural Resources News.” NC State College of Natural Resources, 3 December 2021, https://cnr.ncsu.edu/news/2021/12/explainer-how-wildfires-start-and-spread/. Accessed 11 August 2024.
Salas, Erick Burgueño. “Global deaths due to wildfires 2023.” Statista, 6 November 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1293254/global-number-of-deaths-due-to-wildfires/. Accessed 11 August 2024.
“Wildfire climate connection.” National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, https://www.noaa.gov/noaa-wildfire/wildfire-climate-connection. Accessed 11 August 2024.
“Wildfires.” Environmental Defense Fund, https://www.edf.org/climate/heres-how-climate-change-affects-wildfires. Accessed 11 August 2024.
“Wildfires destroy thousands of structures each year.” Headwaters Economics, 16 November 2020, https://headwaterseconomics.org/natural-hazards/structures-destroyed-by-wildfire/. Accessed 11 August 2024.
Wildfires have been a natural part of Earth’s ecosystem and play a crucial role in maintaining balance in various habitats. However, in recent decades, wildfires have been occurring more frequently and have grown in severity around the world, destroying different ecosystems, and communities, and causing climate change. This is not a coincidence and is linked to the rising effects of climate change. While wildfires cause climate change, the opposite also occurs. Climate change causes wildfires through dangerous feedback loops, harming the world.
The Science Behind Wildfires
Wildfires are a complex phenomenon that needs specific conditions to start. For wildfires to start and spread, there must be three components; fuel, heat, and oxygen. Fire results from a chemical reaction called combustion, which happens when oxygen combines with a heated fuel source such as trees, grasses, and buildings. The fuel releases a vapor that mixes with oxygen, sustaining the fire. To extinguish the fire, one of the key elements; fuel, heat, or oxygen must be removed from the “fire triangle”. Wildfires spread rapidly and can consume thousands of acres of land in hours. The movement and intensity of the fire rely on the “fire behavior triangle;” fuel, weather, and topography. How a fuel burns, including how fast a fire spreads and the temperature it reaches depends on its moisture level, chemical makeup, and density. Traditionally, wildfires have been started by natural causes like lightning strikes. However human causes such as arson, discarded cigarettes and unattended campfires have become more significant contributors to wildfires.
Climate Change’s Contribution to Increasing Wildfires
Climate change is significantly changing the factors that contribute to wildfires. One of its most immediate effects is the increase in global temperatures. According to NASA, the Earth’s average surface temperature has increased by about 2 degrees Fahrenheit since the late 19th century. This seemingly small increase has profound impacts on forest fire behavior. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration states “Climate changes create warmer, drier conditions, leading to longer and more active fire seasons.” Climate change has already led to a longer wildfire season because of factors like extended summer dry periods, warm springs, and drying soils with vegetation. Additionally, the frequency, severity, and area of fires are at risk because of rising temperatures and dryness. Earlier melting in the spring and reduced snow cover results in less water available during hot summer weather. This results in the risk of wildfires increasing, and fires can start more easily and at higher temperatures.
Wildfires Contribution to Increasing Climate Change
Wildfires are not only worsened by climate change, but they also contribute to it alarmingly. As wildfires burn, they release a great amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, intensifying the greenhouse effect and speeding global warming. The destruction of forests that act like carbon sinks further reduces the Earth’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Additionally, wildfires release other harmful pollutants such as black carbon, brown carbon, and ozone precursors into the atmosphere, affecting radiation and clouds. This feedback loop is dangerous: as wildfires increase due to rising temperatures and drier conditions, they, in turn, release more carbon and other pollutants, leading to further warming.
Impacts of the Wildfire-Climate Cycle
While wildfires have some positive impacts, the consequences of this cycle are devastating for humans and the environment. Wildfires have destroyed 103,900 homes, structures, and businesses since 2005. From January to September 2023, wildfires killed around 310 people worldwide. The smoke and pollutants released by wildfires also pose serious health risks, contributing to respiratory issues, heart disease, and premature death. The largest wildfire was the Australian bushfires of 2019-2020, which killed 3 million animals and endangered many species such as koalas and orangutans.
Mitigation and Adaptation
Addressing the threat of wildfires requires mitigation and adaptation strategies. To help the wildfire crisis, countries such as Brazil, Indonesia, Australia, and the US have made forest management organizations and implemented policies to protect forests. But everyone can make a difference. Restoring wetlands, stopping deforestation, and increasing soil health are powerful solutions to prevent climate change. Healthy soils and forests can store CO2 and reduce global emissions. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is vital to prevent wildfires and other extreme weather conditions like hurricanes. Ways to decrease CO2 emissions in day-to-day lives are to bike, walk, and use public transport more often, reduce waste, use reusable items, and so much more. You can help make an impact, so do it!
Works Cited
“Climate Change Indicators: Wildfires | US EPA.” Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-wildfires. Accessed 11 August 2024.
Davare, Ramani. “The Impact of Wildfires on Biodiversity and the Environment.” Earth.Org, 5 August 2022, https://earth.org/impact-of-wildfires/. Accessed 11 August 2024.
“Evidence.” NASA Science, https://science.nasa.gov/climate-change/evidence/. Accessed 11 August 2024.
“The Impact of Wildfires on Climate and Air Quality.” NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, https://csl.noaa.gov/factsheets/csdWildfiresFIREX.pdf. Accessed 11 August 2024.
Moore, Andrew. “Explainer: How Wildfires Start and Spread | College of Natural Resources News.” NC State College of Natural Resources, 3 December 2021, https://cnr.ncsu.edu/news/2021/12/explainer-how-wildfires-start-and-spread/. Accessed 11 August 2024.
Salas, Erick Burgueño. “Global deaths due to wildfires 2023.” Statista, 6 November 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1293254/global-number-of-deaths-due-to-wildfires/. Accessed 11 August 2024.
“Wildfire climate connection.” National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, https://www.noaa.gov/noaa-wildfire/wildfire-climate-connection. Accessed 11 August 2024.
“Wildfires.” Environmental Defense Fund, https://www.edf.org/climate/heres-how-climate-change-affects-wildfires. Accessed 11 August 2024.
“Wildfires destroy thousands of structures each year.” Headwaters Economics, 16 November 2020, https://headwaterseconomics.org/natural-hazards/structures-destroyed-by-wildfire/. Accessed 11 August 2024.
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