Wildfires in Western North America have been devastating, scorching millions of acres and causing widespread destruction.
Wildfires in Western North America have been devastating, scorching millions of acres and causing widespread destruction.
A new study by the Union of Concerned Scientists has found that over 37% of the area burned by wildfires in the West since 1986 can be blamed on carbon pollution from the world’s largest fossil fuel and cement companies.
A new study by the Union of Concerned Scientists has found that over 37% of the area burned by wildfires in the West since 1986 can be blamed on carbon pollution from the world’s largest fossil fuel and cement companies.
The study found that nearly 19.8 million acres out of 53 million burned could be attributed to the planet-cooking pollution from 88 of the world’s major fossil fuel producers and cement manufacturers.
The study found that nearly 19.8 million acres out of 53 million burned could be attributed to the planet-cooking pollution from 88 of the world’s major fossil fuel producers and cement manufacturers.
The study also found that the fossil fuel activities of these companies warmed the planet by 0.5 degrees Celsius since 1901.
Megadroughts and record-breaking heat due to climate change have fueled the wildfires in the West.
Megadroughts and record-breaking heat due to climate change have fueled the wildfires in the West.
The researchers used actual climate data and compared it to an idealized, modeled version of the world where there was no fossil fuel pollution from the 88 companies.
One metric that the scientists focused on was the region’s vapor pressure deficit, which measures how thirsty the atmosphere is for moisture and is a key indicator of fire danger and drought.
The report also noted that development and growth contributed to a higher risk of human behavior-caused fires, with more people and property in harm’s way.
The study shows the devastating impact of fossil fuel pollution on the environment and how it is exacerbating the climate crisis.
Fossil fuel companies need to be held accountable for exacerbating extreme climate events like wildfires, which are putting lives at risk.
It is crucial that measures are put in place to hold fossil fuel companies accountable and reduce carbon emissions to mitigate the effects of climate change.
It is crucial that measures are put in place to hold fossil fuel companies accountable and reduce carbon emissions to mitigate the effects of climate change.
It is crucial that measures are put in place to hold fossil fuel companies accountable and reduce carbon emissions to mitigate the effects of climate change.