A Drier Future Sets the Stage for More Wildfires

July 18, 2019 / activist360 / Leave a comment

Droughts can create ideal conditions for wildfires. Dry trees and vegetation provide fuel. Low soil and air moisture make it easier for fires to spread quickly. In these conditions, a spark from lightning, electrical failures, human error or planned fires can quickly get out of control. As Earth’s climate warms and precipitation patterns change, increasingly severe droughts will leave some areas of the world vulnerable to increasingly severe fires. Understanding how fires behave in dry conditions can help firefighters, first responders and others prepare for a hotter, drier future.

Wildfires Are a Problem 100 Years in the Making. Can We Fix Them?

May 20, 2019 / activist360 / Leave a comment

We’ve spent 100 years growing a tinderbox across the West. Now it’s wildfire season. An indigenous tradition that’s been used for millennia might be a solution. Sources and resources: Emily Washines, Frank Kanawha Lake, Reese Lolley, Hilary Franz, Dina Gilio-Whitaker

2018 Was 4th Warmest for Globe

February 10, 2019 / activist360 / Leave a comment

NOAA/NASA’s annual global analysis reveals that 2018 was the 4th warmest for the planet. The report shows record warmth for much of Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, New Zealand and nearby ocean, and parts of the Atlantic and western Pacific. There were 14 billion dollar disasters in the U.S. in 2018 which accounted for $91 billion in direct losses, the 4th largest on record.

NOAA / NASA Annual Global Analysis for 2018 Download