We are all to blame for Canada’s hellscape
The wildfires that have engulfed thousands of Canadian communities and ecosystems can be attributed to human behaviour
Spring 2023 has seen a surge in wildfires across Canada, destroying thousands of communities and exacerbating the air quality. (pxfuel)
The devastating wildfires that have engulfed many areas of Canada serve as a grim reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and its far reaching consequences.
Tens of thousands of communities across the country have been evacuated as firefighters struggle to suppress the blazes that have burned over 3.8 million hectares of land. These fires not only ravage landscapes, but also cause displacement and destruction of countless animals, habitats, and ecosystems.
Much like everywhere else on this planet, Canada is growing warmer and drier, leading to a rise in wildfires. In 2021, Lytton, British Columbia, was consumed by wildfires and temperatures soared to a high of 49.6 C. While this might not seem too hot to someone like me who grew up in the United Arab Emirates, these statistics reflect horrifying damage to our ecosystems in Canada.
While climate change does play a major role in wildfires since the majority of fires this year are said to have been sparked by lightning. However, 40 per cent of wildfires are caused by human activity annually, whether it be careless cigarette disposal, bonfires or barbecues, and even railway sparks. Not only has this contributed a decrease in air quality, but it has also led to numerous people and animals being displaced.
In Fox Lake, Alberta, a community of approximately 3,600 people had limited accessibility to get in, evacuees were told they had to leave their pets behind. Outside of pets, animals that call these habitats home like caribou, grizzly bears, and countless bird species, are forced to flee or face the threat of perishing in the flames.
The loss of their habitats disrupts delicate ecosystems and pushes species towards endangerment or extinction. Raising public awareness about the link between climate change, wildfires, and animal displacement is crucial. Even when the fires eventually go out and the provincial states of emergency have ended, the aftermath will continue to linger on.
Promoting fire safety practices, such as proper campfire management, cigarette disposal, and equipment maintenance to minimize accidental ignition of wildfires goes a long way.
In Canada, the proportion of fires caused by lightning has surged to approximately 60 per cent. However, the occurrence of lightning strikes is escalating and projected to get worse due to the impacts of climate change.
Unless we implement changes towards saving our burning planet, the vicious cycle consisting of the release of vast amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere will only further exacerbate global warming.
It is important to remember that these fires and evacuations don’t just affect those living in burning communities but firefighters, frontline workers, and families across the country. On our worst days, we rely on them to keep us safe, but we should also be working to prevent our worst days from turning into living nightmares.
Think twice when you go out camping. Remember what’s at stake, not just for you but for the sake of our planet and all its inhabitants. Our planet is the only one we’ve got. There is no planet B.
