If you’re still denying the reality of climate change or dismissing the costs of taking action to prevent it, it’s time to step outside and take a look around. Residents of New York, as well as several other states, have been grappling with the effects of the vast wildfires that have been raging across Canada, with smoke and haze traveling hundreds of miles to reach them. This year has already seen over 2,300 wildfires and more than 10.3 million acres burned, meaning this could be the worst wildfire season for Canada on record.
While each fire has its own specific cause, such as a lightning strike or a discarded cigarette, these blazes are only made possible by a combination of factors, such as heat, drought, and high pressure systems. Portions of Canada and northern US states have experienced record heat, creating the ideal environment for wildfires to ignite and thrive.
The reality we’re living in right now is exactly what we’ve been warned about for years. Fossil fuel companies, their supporters in government and the media, and think tanks they have funded have all tried to discredit these warnings for decades. But we’re now seeing the results, including more intense storms, rising sea levels, and “500-year” floods. It’s not someone else’s problem anymore–it’s a problem for every community in the path of the wind and smoke.
While government officials can issue press releases and advise people to stay indoors, it’s clear that real action needs to be taken to prevent further harm. The homeless and those who work outdoors are particularly vulnerable, as are those with existing respiratory and cardiovascular problems. This could become our “new normal” if we let it, but we mustn’t accept it.
Recent warnings from the New York Independent System Operator that clean-energy systems are not being implemented fast enough to replace fossil fuel operations should be taken seriously. To keep all options, including natural gas, oil, and coal, on the table would be a mistake. We must commit to clean energy and not feed the fire any longer. Our government needs to take action now, or we will all suffer the consequences.
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