Cause of Wild Fires
I had the pleasure of meeting a local fire fighter recently. Out in the country, that means wildfires, and out in this particular part of the country (Santa Barbara County) that means you’re a very busy fellow, because, in the last decade, we’ve become world famous for the enormous frequency and scale of our fires. At left and below is the Whittier Fire that turned my favorite hiking spot into a cinder two summers ago.
As one might predict, I asked him about the driver behind this horrifying increase, and I got a long and interesting explanation of how we now have the technology to extinguish fires more effectively and the policy of no preventative burning (which means build-up of fuel), and we also have more people living out in the forest (which means more opportunities for ignition).
Also as one might predict, I asked him about climate change. He replied that many people believe that this is a major contributor, I presume referring to higher temperatures, drier fuel, and higher winds. That phrase “many people believe” got my attention however, as a) it was clear that he wasn’t one of them, and b) science doesn’t care what you believe. I happen to know that the prevalent scientific theory re: the major cause of the recent increase in wildfires is climate change.
Of course, I thanked him for his service, and he graciously nodded in acceptance. As a cop once told me, “If you want people to like you, be a fire fighter, and not a policeman.”
Craig,
Interesting. After a discussion with a professional firefighter recently you concluded:
“I don’t care what he believes, I happen to know that the prevalent scientific theory re: the major cause of the recent increase in wildfires is climate change “.
Hmmm…., now the firefighter may not be an expert and even quite low in rank, but he’s actually out there fighting fires, not just an “armchair” pundit sitting around a cracker barrel making pronouncements based on nothing more than your own fantasies and prejudices.
Everyone, including you, are entitled to your own opinion. That’s the basis of a free society. However, sometimes a little rational, objective and open-minded research might prevent you from parroting absurd dogma.
Californian forest fires are not the result of “climate change” they are the result of human demographics, introduced flora and fauna and changes in the landscape brought about by human civilization.
There is no perfect “Eden’ or ‘Natural Paradise’. No eternal garden looked after by a wise ‘Earth Mother’! Flora and fauna, forests, coastlines, etc are in a continual state of flux and change. nothing is permanent.
Blaming every event on Climate change, is absurd and wearisome. Moreover, it destroys credibility for the entire environmental movement.
Michael Shellenberger is a Time Magazine Hero of the Environment and Green Book Award Winner. He is also a frequent contributor to The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Scientific American, and other publications. His TED talks have been viewed over three million times.
Hardly a “climate denier” !
Recently, Micheal has become increasingly alarmed by media and ‘green’ activist lies, distortions and myth building.
His latest article dispels many of the lies, fake news, and opportunism about the role of the Brazilian government in the Amazon fires.
It’s worth reading:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelshellenberger/2019/08/26/why-everything-they-say-about-the-amazon-including-that-its-the-lungs-of-the-world-is-wrong/#5538b0a25bde