Climate Change and the California Wildfires
By Sanjana Bajaj: Southeast REGIONAL OUTREACH MANAGER AT THE TOMORROW PROJECT
Earlier this month, millions of Californians woke up to a rustic orange-colored sky in what appeared to be a scene straight out of a Hollywood movie. Ash rained from the sky and many residents had no power. This event was yet another wake-up call in a series of warnings that all point towards a crisis of global proportions.
Smoke turns the skies orange in California. Photo by Tegan Mierle.
This year has been difficult for a number of reasons. Besides the coronavirus pandemic and the economic consequences of quarantine, California has been facing the brunt of the climate crisis in the form of severe wildfires, many of which larger than any other in the history of the state. 3.6 million acres of land burned so far, or about 1 in every 29 acres. California’s wildfires have increased 8 times in size since the 1970s. According to California Governor Gavin Newsom, the debate around climate change’s existence is over.
“If you don’t believe in climate change,” says Newsom, “come to California.”
The West Coast of the United States is known to have a difficult wildfire season every year, but this season is significantly different. A powerful windstorm, unexpected lightning strikes, and an intense heatwave have all accelerated the spread of wildfires. Last month was the country’s third-warmest August on record, and many daily temperature records in California were broken. Rising air temperatures remain the primary force driving the fierce wildfires. Our planet has continued to heat up ever since the start of the Industrial Revolution, when humans first began to burn large quantities of fossil fuels, releasing heat-trapping gases. Over the past century, climate change has warmed California’s average temperatures by roughly 3 degrees Fahrenheit. This might seem like a small amount, but in climate science, a little can go a long way. Hot, dry air soaks up water from whatever it touches. This includes plants, soil, and bodies of water. A small increase in temperature over time can have a tremendous effect on the amount of water the air pulls out from vegetation, creating a dry climate prone to wildfires.
A firefighter combats a blaze. Photo by USFWS/Southeast.
As carbon emissions increase and global temperatures continue to rise, California’s wildfire season will only get worse each year, with more unexpected shifts in weather patterns and dried out vegetation. We need to combat global warming by promoting the use of vehicles and industries that are more energy efficient. California has already been taking steps towards a greener planet. On September 23, the state banned sales of new gasoline cars beginning in 2035. This move is estimated to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 35%, and would in turn reduce dangerous wildfires.
“California, folks, is America fast forward,” states Gov. Newsom. “What we’re experiencing right here is coming to communities all across the United States of America unless we get our act together on climate change.”
Sources:
CAL FIRE Stats & Events
https://www.fire.ca.gov/stats-events/
National Climate Report - August 2020
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/national/202008
The science connecting wildfires to climate change
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/09/climate-change-increases-risk-fires-western-us/
California’s recurring wildfire problem, explained
https://www.vox.com/21430638/california-wildfires-2020-orange-sky-august-complex
The Most Important Number for the West’s Hideous Fire Season
US wildfires fuelled by climate change, California governor says