Are the Canadian Wildfires Connected to Climate Change?
More than one month since the northern U.S. experienced “zombie apocalypse” weather, air quality levels worsen again. Is this a result of climate change? What does this mean for the future?
Photo Source: Forbes
We all know about the “zombie apocalypse” weather that hit the U.S. in early June, with orange skies and nearly inhabitable air quality, but do we know how this will impact us moving forward?
As of July 17, new reports shared that 70 million people across the northern U.S. will experience decreased visibility and poor air quality triggered by the Canadian wildfire smoke once again. These reports occurred more than one month after areas in the U.S. faced historic levels of poor air quality, and it’s expected to carry on through the fall.
Let’s rewind to June 7, the most memorable and dangerous day people in northeastern states experienced as a result of the Canadian wildfires. With air quality alerts buzzing to warn people not to go outside, a smoky haze turned the sky orange and emitted scents of burned ash. People could see, feel and smell the toll of the fires sweeping over their homes and workplaces.
New York City in particular, which already endures high amounts of pollution, reached a historical level of poor air quality. That day, the index peaked at 460, surpassing the previous NYC record of 86 in 2003. For reference, other records include 177 in San Francisco in 2018 and 465 in Portland, Oregon, in 2020, both results of wildfires as well. These records are far cries from the safe daily average level of 35.
Photo Source: Forbes
There’s no debate that this is a result of the Canadian wildfires, but there are varying responses as to how these wildfires started. According to CBS News, half of Canada’s wildfires are caused by lightning and the other half are caused by humans, even from minor acts such as disregarded cigarette buds or sparks from passing trains. Additionally, it would be irresponsible not to acknowledge the discussion this created surrounding climate change.
“A one-degree Celsius increase in temperature amounts to about 12 percent more lightning. So the warmer it gets as the climate heats up, the more triggers there are for fires to burn” Edward Struzik, a fellow at Queen's Institute for Energy and Environmental Policy at Queen's University in Canada and author of "Dark Days at Noon, The Future of Fire" told CBS News.
According to the Government of Canada, 2022 was 1.2 degrees Celsius above the 1961-1990 reference value, which could play a role in the triggers predicted above.
Also, a 2021 report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) found that dry, hot and windy conditions increase the likelihood for fire to spread, and Canada is already being warmed at about twice the global rate by human-induced climate change, according to BBC.
Moving forward, we think the Canadian wildfires have made a strong and memorable impact on people in the U.S. that will stir more discussion, concern and movements for change to help save our world. We don’t expect the fires to stop or for our air quality to reach normal levels anytime soon, but we will keep you all updated on major developments.
Best,
Ariana for the Don’t Count Us Out Yet Team