Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake’s Post

A study indicates that climate change will extend wildfire seasons in the U.S., with significant regional variations in wildfire risks and seasonal changes in fire hazards https://lnkd.in/eYBYQxam #ClimateChange #WildfireSeason #EnvironmentalScience #FireRisks #WildfireManagement #FirePrevention

A study indicates that climate change will extend wildfire seasons in the U.S., with significant regional variations in wildfire risks and seasonal changes in fire hazards https://lnkd.in/eYBYQxam #ClimateChange #WildfireSeason #EnvironmentalScience #FireRisks #WildfireManagement #FirePrevention

We know Utah is already facing various environmental issues (air pollution, GSL desiccation, etc., are significant concerns), But how do Utahns consider their climate change and disaster vulnerabilities? Do they believe that changing climate is the will of God? We have addressed these important issues in our recent research, and I am happy to share this co-authored research brief with my advisor Professor Jennifer Givens, Professor Peter Howe, and Professor Jessica Schad. We found that 34% of Utah residents agree that their household is in an at-risk area for climate change or extreme weather events, 37% consider their household is well-prepared for climate change, and 11% of Utahns believe that their household does not need to be prepared as climate change is in God’s hands. This brief is based on the statewide survey data of the Utah People and Environment Poll (UPEP), and our findings will be helpful for Utah policymakers to make the people more climate resilient. Thanks to my professors who contributed a lot; hopefully, we will continue to do something great together. https://lnkd.in/dZ5YSr-s Here is the local newspaper report based on our research and interviews: https://lnkd.in/gJgh6ZeT

EDITED MARCH 29, 2024 @ 5:44 AM QUOTE: ". . . .Ricardo Lozano, a geologist and former environment minister of Colombia, said El Niño was a natural phenomenon that occurred cyclically, but that with climate change, “these events are more and more intense and more and more extreme.”. . . . ." UNQUOTE That makes sense. But please do not tell such a thing to American Climate Deniers, such as Donald Trump, Sean Hannity, et al, or their heads will explode! Such people can only "think" of ONE thing or process, at a time, whether it is "natural" or "man-made". However, when you tell them that two processes are occurring at the SAME time, their "Brains" freeze up! My BFF, Sean Hannity, likes to get paid $36 million a year, to tell his audience that: "Climate Change or Global Warming is not real, since Mike Bloomberg flew on a jet today". Such an ignorant comment implies that ONLY individual action can solve the Climate Crisis, which Mr. Hannity refuses to even acknowledge is a REAL crisis. If we relied on INDIVIDUAL action to build weapons to defeat the Axis Powers or to land men on the Moon, such things would never happen. It was ONLY by COLLECTIVE Action of Private Industry and Government that our WW Two Victory and 12 men walking on the Moon became realities. However, when people like Sean Hannity hear the words "COLLECTIVE ACTION", their brains only "think" of one word: "SOCIALISM"! At some point, we will have to stop adding eight and five and pretending that the answer is "SEVEN". But when we do that, it may be too late to avoid a Climate Catastrophe.

"Under the current policy regime, municipalities are largely responsible for ensuring growth in high-risk areas will stand up to climate change. And while there are data gaps, municipalities generally know where their high-risk neighbourhoods are. The critical next step is disclosing and building for those risks. Unless flood risk is better reflected in zoning policies, there is real potential that many new homes are going to be in harm’s way. Given that B.C. will need an estimated 2.58 million new housing units by 2030 to accommodate population growth, communities cannot afford to be building in neighbourhoods that could soon be under water."

“And what we’re seeing in our urban environment is, climate change isn’t something that’s just about melting poles and polar bears — it’s about erratic weather events that are quite unusual to the everyday person.” Climate change is impacting all of us, as detailed by the recent National Climate Assessment. But those impacts are felt more intensely in areas that have been historically under resourced, including in communities of color and low-income communities. Read more from Michelle Carr, Illinois director of The Nature Conservancy, in this Chicago Tribune Media Group story. https://nature.ly/4a4ooss #ClimateChange #UrbanConservation

¨ Alongside cataloguing the impact of last year’s fires, the report also focuses on the causes of extreme fires in three regions: Canada, western #Amazonia and Greece. In all three locations, they found that fire weather - characterized by hot dry conditions that make blazes more likely to ignite - has shifted significantly due to climate change.¨ Another stark reminder of the devastating impact of climate change. The article shows that there are more frequent and intense fires in these areas and due to extreme fire weather conditions. It's crucial that we understand the root causes in order to find effective solutions. #climatechange #wildfires #climateemergency #environment https://lnkd.in/eTDDZ8NY

No Escaping the #ClimateCrisis: Report Identifies #US Hotspots of Severity From coast to interior, the climate emergency in the United States spares no region. It's time for united action to combat this escalating crisis. Visit: https://lnkd.in/gvGeNctS #climateemergencyinUS, #danger

No doubt the cost of suppression has and will continue to grow. I’ve said it before and I will say it again… it’s like taxes pay now or pay later.. Invest in mitigation to protect our values at risk, Infrastructure and communities. And allow nature to take its course when and where appropriate. We need good fire to it’s job so it can help us manage catastrophic fire. Legislation needs to be passed for resiliency districts to allocate tax dollars for implementation. One way or another we will respond and do our best we can with what we have. Always have, always will… However communities and business need to do their part to assist in preparedness. We can accomplish extraordinary things if we work together. So many layers of conflicting interest seem to prevent progress. Sad situation really.. I am looking forward to what lessons will be brought forward from what is happening today decades from now. Will the next generation of fire leaders understand the complex environment we have operated in. Or will they scratch their heads on why we continued to do the same thing over and over expecting different results…