Billows of black smoke blanket the sky, an enormous and all-consuming dark mass. Barrages of ferocious flames ignite the skyline as fires continue to rage and engulf the remains of the Canadian black spruce trees. Meanwhile, spells of yellow-orange haze descend into the United States causing air quality levels to reach what the Environmental Protection Agency describes as “unhealthy for all” [1]. With air quality-related health issues such as chronic bronchitis and decreased lung function on the horizon, natural disasters such as the Canadian wildfires spark concern about the impact of the environment on our quality of life [2]. The will of nature is out of human hands, yet as environmental disasters pose a health risk to our communities, our civilian duty begs the question: what can we do?
A key distinction to appreciate when contextualizing a natural disaster is to recognize what is and what is not man-made. In the context of wildfires overall, some occur naturally by ignition from the sun’s heat or by a lightning strike. The spread of a wildfire is determined by weather conditions and topography [3]. High temperatures and little rainfall can prime vegetation to fuel the fire to burn faster uphill rather than downhill [4]. These factors are out of human control as wildfires are natural processes. Even though we have the resources to put out these wildfires, sometimes we do not because wildfires are required for the growth and survival of an ecosystem. For example, Yellowstone National Park allows lightning-ignited wildfires to burn because they promote biodiversity as new habitats are generated for differing species and prevent the accumulation of too much leaf litter and deadfall. Controlled fires such as these do not pose a threat to human health, and eventually go out on their own according to the Yellowstone National Park Service [5]. Even Canadian wildfires are common occurrences in the spring and summer as lightning is usually responsible for about half of all fires in Canada as well as 85% of the area burnt each year. However, the other half is where humans must be held accountable [6].
Canada’s record-breaking wildfire season has resulted in culpability being placed on humans who are at fault for this year’s extremities. Some explanations are indisputable such as this year’s early start to wildfire season being the result of unattended campfires and off-road vehicle accidents. One fire in the New Brunswick province began when an all-terrain vehicle caught fire on a trail, igniting the surrounding area [7]. In these situations, the responsibility rests on individuals such as 68% of wildfires between 2017 and 2022 being human-caused in the province of Alberta [8]. Though, this does not explain the full story behind Canada’s historical wildfire season in 2023. [9]. In addition to human error, climate change is a frequently cited cause for several intense weather events, including this year’s Canadian wildfires [10].
Climate change is a man-made, systematic problem, and we must acknowledge how human behavior has contributed to its development. Climate change is exacerbated by the increase in human emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gasses such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane [11]. On a broader scale, agriculture, oil, and gas operations are major sources of methane emissions that cause the global warming of the earth. Humans are responsible for virtually all of global heating over the last 200 years and as a result of human activity, the last decade was recognized as the warmest on record [12]. In terms of wildfires, climate change can shift factors like temperature, soil moisture, and aridity of forest fuel in favor of more extreme wildfires. For example, increasing temperatures can create conditions of extended drought and persistent heat that can lead to more active and longer wildfire seasons similar to the ones Canada has seen this year [13]. As the climate continues to change, research suggests that the fire season will worsen in coming decades such as parts of Quebec and Ontario will likely see the number and size of wildfires increase [14]. This is a reminder that Canadian wildfires are not a one-time occurrence if we are not proactive in working to combat climate change
Recognizing the role of human action as the reason for the increase in the frequency and severity of natural disasters such as wildfires is important for taking accountability and working towards finding a solution. On an individual basis, the average carbon footprint in the U.S. is about 14.6 tons of CO2, more than double the global average of 6.3 tons [15]. To preserve a livable climate, this number must go down to about 2.0 to 2.5 tons by 2030. The United Nations recommends initiatives such as lowering heating and cooling, using more energy-efficient appliances, making electric rather than gas transportation choices, and eating more vegetables towards reducing emissions [15]. Though, the difficult truth is that it is inconvenient to sacrifice your car to ride the bus at designated times. Making eco-friendly choices, rather than fiscal ones can be a costly downside for consumers [16]. It is also inconvenient to replace every household appliance with renewable energy. By no means, is reducing our carbon footprint an easy task, especially when our change won’t make the impact needed to reverse the overbearing issue of climate change. Regardless, taking individual action still holds great value in influencing our surrounding community, and most importantly, reminding us of our self-worth.
On a global scale, one action may be insignificant, yet the same effort creates a fundamental commitment toward confronting climate change. The dedication to lowering our carbon footprint creates meaning by placing value on the quality of human life including our own. Consider the act of choosing to place a plastic cup in the recycling bin rather than the nearest trash can. For the person waiting to throw their trash away behind you, the moments of thought as you decide which bin to dispose of your items in signifies that individual action does count for something, and possibly, their decision will too. In this instance, recycling contributes towards lowering greenhouse emissions by more than 50% by reducing the energy needed to extract or mine virgin materials [17]. For myself, offering to carpool with my friends or asking them to drive creates meaning by addressing the reality of climate change and how our small group of people can still be part of a movement without sacrificing too much comfort. Carpooling both on the way to work and home can potentially decrease 22%-28% of CO2 emissions, and these numbers remind us that the smallest actions are still relevant contributions in decreasing emissions as they build valuable attitudes around change [18]. These choices are much more than their numerical impact on carbon emissions but are essential in highlighting the importance of individual action under the umbrella of mentality.
Gnawing dread, coursing fear, and racing hearts are some of the unforgettable feelings induced by the sight of orange shrouds above the skies of our homes. The unfortunate reality is that these emotions may become familiar as wildfires are predicted to intensify as a consequence of climate change. While climate change certainly isn’t responsible for every single disaster, it is undeniable the great amount of influence it has on our environment with wildfires being just one example [19]. It is fair to say that without change, the future holds other unpredictable, terrifying moments that could jeopardize the future of humanity. Taking accountability is the first step in the grand scheme of trying to fix our own mistakes. The next is to put the first foot forward in understanding that our personal choices carry a priceless value to individuality and others. Recognizing the importance behind our actions is essential before confronting larger, systematic causes. Collective individual contribution is the effort needed to successfully challenge the companies responsible for the majority of emissions [20]. We all have a part to play, and it has to start with ourselves.
References:
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https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/17/us/wildfire-smoke-canada-ny-air-quality.html 2. US Department of Commerce, N. (2021, July 2). Why Air Quality is important. National Weather Service. https://www.weather.gov/safety/airquality
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