fires
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New Mexico town battles fires and flash floods
A New Mexico village facing evacuation orders due to wildfires is now grappling with flash floods caused by heavy rains.
In short:
- Ruidoso, N.M., under evacuation due to the South Fork and Salt wildfires, is now facing flash flooding.
- About 2.5 inches of rain fell in 30 minutes, causing floodwaters to surge down slopes charred by the fires.
- The South Fork and Salt fires have burned more than 23,000 acres, destroyed 1,400 structures, and claimed at least two lives.
Why this matters:
The combination of wildfires and flash floods creates a dual disaster, compounding the risks and challenges for emergency response. Wildfires, which strip the landscape of vegetation, leave the ground unable to absorb sudden downpours, resulting in flash floods. This cycle of destruction not only endangers human lives but also disrupts ecosystems, washing away topsoil and further destabilizing the terrain.
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Europe's climate change response lags behind growing threats
Heatwaves, floods, and ecological stress are outstripping Europe's preparations for climate change, warns a European Environment Agency report.
In short:
- The EEA has identified 36 significant climate threats to Europe, urging immediate action on half, with five deemed urgent.
- Southern Europe, a climate "hotspot," requires expedited measures to protect agriculture and communities from wildfires and extreme weather.
- The report underscores the inadequacy of current financial sector stress tests in accounting for compounded environmental risks.
Key quote:
"Our new analysis shows that Europe faces urgent climate risks that are growing faster than our societal preparedness."
— Leena Ylä-Mononen, executive director of the EEA
Why this matters:
As climate change intensifies, leading to more frequent and severe weather events, European nations have been prompted to implement comprehensive strategies aimed at mitigation, adaptation, and resilience building.
Dr. Robbie Parks joins the Agents of Change in Environmental Justice podcast to discuss the need to treat destructive storms, hurricanes and typhoons as public health and justice issues.
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British Columbia's budget overlooks climate disaster prevention efforts
In British Columbia, despite recent devastating climate events, the latest budget focuses more on emergency response than on preventing future disasters.
In short:
- The budget increases funding for emergency management but lacks investment in measures to prevent climate disasters.
- Experts criticize the budget for not addressing the root causes of climate events, emphasizing the need for a shift towards resilience and proactive measures.
- While some funding is directed towards drought issues and wildfire mitigation, there is a call for more strategic, long-term approaches to climate response.
Key quote:
"We have too many provincial officials with their heads stuck in the mud from floods and their heads stuck in the ash of forest fires."
— Sto:lo Tribal Chief Tyrone McNeil, chair of the Emergency Planning Secretariat
Why this matters:
This article highlights a critical gap in addressing climate change: the need for proactive, preventative measures rather than reactive responses. It underscores the importance of investing in resilience and preparedness to mitigate health and environmental impacts, aligning with broader national and global efforts to combat climate change.
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Amazon's growing fire crisis: a deep dive into the rainforest's struggle
The Amazon is experiencing increasingly frequent and intense megafires, exacerbated by climate change and human activities, leading to significant ecological damage and carbon emissions.
In short:
- The Amazon is experiencing unprecedented megafires, with flames reaching more than 10 meters high, signaling a dire environmental crisis.
- These fires, often caused by human activities like crop burning and deforestation, are releasing massive amounts of carbon dioxide, exacerbating climate change.
- The 2023 fires, some of the worst in decades, highlight the vulnerability of the Amazon, with scientists warning of a grim future where such fires become the norm.
Key quote:
"When I see the rainforest burning, I know what I’m really seeing is Amazonia dying."
— Erika Berenguer, Brazilian researcher at the University of Oxford
Why this matters:
The Amazon's megafires not only release vast amounts of carbon, worsening global climate change, but also destroy vital ecosystems. This ongoing crisis emphasizes the urgent need for global attention and action to protect one of the planet's most crucial natural resources.
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Chile's battle with climate-induced wildfires intensifies
In Chile, unprecedented wildfires, fueled by climate change and El Niño, are ravaging the landscape, marking a new era of environmental challenges.
In short:
- Chile, traditionally prepared for natural disasters like tsunamis and earthquakes, is now facing a new threat: devastating wildfires exacerbated by climate change.
- Recent fires, among the deadliest in over a century, have been driven by extreme heat and drought, highlighting the urgent need for adaptation and response strategies.
- The combination of human activities, climate change, and natural weather patterns like El Niño is creating increasingly dangerous fire conditions in South America.
Key quote:
"The effects of global warming on the weather cannot be ignored anymore."
— Raúl Cordero, climate scientist at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands
Why this matters:
These wildfires in Chile underscore the dire consequences of climate change on health and safety. They serve as a reminder of the growing need for global awareness and action against climate-related disasters, which are becoming more frequent and severe worldwide.
Up to 90% of wildfires we're seeing today are caused by human activity, highlighting a need for human intervention in both climate change and safe outdoor practices.
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Photo by Matthias Heyde on Unsplash
See how carbon dioxide builds up in Earth’s atmosphere over one year
Two hundred years after the discovery of the greenhouse effect, a new animation of our atmosphere shows how humans add more carbon dioxide than Earth can absorb.
Pixabay
Climate change is turning swaths of California’s mountains into ‘zombie forests’
There’s something eerie about this forest in the southern Sierra Nevada. Tangles of bony branches obscure the ground. Dead trees stand gray and bristly. An aura of doom hangs over the green conifers that remain.
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