The Interconnected Threats of Drought, Heatwaves, and Forest Fires: Urgent Actions to Mitigate Climate Change

QUESTION

THE INTERCONNECTED THREATS OF DROUGHT, HEATWAVES AND FOREST FIRES
The Australian bush fires of 2019/2020 are estimated to have killed over 30,000 koalas.
The summer of 2021 brought historic heatwaves to much of the western US and Canada.
Referred to as the ‘thousand year’ heatwave, it soon became apparent that unprecedented
high temperatures were occurring almost weekly. In Death Valley, California, the temperature
reached 130°F (54.4°C), as it had done the previous summer. These were the highest
temperatures recorded worldwide since 1931, when a temperature of 131°F (55°C) was
recorded in Tunisia. The planet’s all-time record temperature was 134°F (56.6°C) at Death
Valley in 1913. The fact that for two summers in a row California sweltered in historically
unprecedented heat was an indication of the impact of climate change. There are very few
people living in Death Valley but many more living in central California, bringing millions of
people within the ambit of dangerously high temperatures. Is record-breaking heat becoming
the new normal as a result of climate change?
Where temperatures are over 50°C (122°F), there are serious risks to human health, much
economic activity becomes impossible and ecosystems are threatened with destruction. These
effects are amplified by the related phenomena of drought and wildfires. The western US has
recently experienced years of ‘megadrought’, where precipitation is lower than normal and
temperatures are persistently above normal. In a cycle of causation, the soil becomes dry,
causing the air to heat up more easily. The dry, hot air causes the land – including trees and
brush – to dry out further, leading to the risk of forest fires. The year 2020 was California’s
worst ever year for wildfires. By the end of the year, 31 people had died from the fires and 4.1
million acres had burned. This was double the previous record area of devastation for a single
year. An orange glow settled over San Francisco Bay for days.
Climate change, caused and driven by human activity, lies at the heart of global heating.
Heatwaves are now occurring all over the world. In some places, such as Central America, India,
the Persian Gulf and Southeast Asia, the levels of heat, especially in combination with high
humidity, risk making some areas uninhabitable. This is because the human body reaches a
point at which it is unable to cool itself. This can occur at temperatures above 30°C (86°F).
Extreme heat coupled with humidity has doubled in occurrences since 1979 (Mellen and Neff,
2021). Heat strokes and heart conditions are among the major health risks. The Gulf state of
Qatar has adapted to these conditions by air conditioning outdoors, but on a selective basis.
During the building of the stadiums for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the UN warned Qatar of the
risks to migrant workers working outdoors in the four hottest months of the year.
In general, the poor are more vulnerable than the rich. In Qatar and the US, air conditioning
indoors is the norm. However, air conditioning is itself a cause of climate change: it is a heavyuser of electricity and emits carbon dioxide into the air. This forms a deadly feedback loop:
hotter temperatures lead to more air conditioning, which in turn pushes up temperatures. Both
the US and Qatar have very high per capita emissions. In a heatwave in Beijing in 2018, it was
found that 50% of the power capacity of the city was going into air conditioning. Air conditioner
use has exploded globally. In the US, the vast majority of houses have air conditioning, now
typically central systems. In 2019, there were about one billion single-room air conditioners in
the world: one for every seven inhabitants. By 2050 there are projected to be 4.5 billion. In
2019, the US was already using as much power for air conditioning in a year as the UK’s total
consumption of electricity in a year. If the rest of the world reaches the levels of air
conditioning that now exist in the US, then air conditioning itself will produce 2 billion tonnes of
CO2 a year, about the same as India currently produces. And India is one of the world’s biggest
emitters.
Conditions in much of Australia are similar to those in California: extreme heat and drought
create conditions that give rise to wildfires, or bush fires. The year 2019 was Australia’s driest
year for 120 years and also the hottest on record. In December 2019, Australia recorded its
hottest day ever, with an average national temperature of 41.9°C (107.4°F). By then, fires were
already spreading, leading to a state of emergency in New South Wales. The fires spread to all
of Australia’s states, covering an area of 25.5 million acres. Thirty-three people died, thousands
lost their homes and many more thousands had to evacuate their homes. The fire season,
which typically runs from December to February, became worse as the new year approached,
as by then, smoke pollution became a serious concern. Air quality in Canberra was 23 times
higher than the level of concentration of particles considered hazardous. It was estimated that
more than one billion animals died in the blazes, but the real extent of the devastation to
wildlife, including rare species, will not be known for years.
Australia’s former Prime Minister Scott Morrison was well known for his inaction on climate
change and his defence of the country’s coal industry. He did not commit to implementing
targets in accordance with the Paris Agreement. However, one of the first acts of the new
President Anthony Albanese (elected 2022) was to update Australia’s climate targets and
commit to reducing emissions. Australia, like California, presents a frightening example of the
effects of climate change. Techniques for fighting fires are improving and Indigenous methods
are also coming into the frame. But these are fighting the symptoms, not the causes. Air
conditioning, too, ameliorates the symptoms during a heatwave but actually makes climate
change effects worse. Australia has again been reminded of the need to commit to global goals
of reducing emissions.
Questions

What are the links between drought, heatwaves and wildfires?
•What changes in policies and behaviour would be needed to reduce the risks of dangerous
heatwaves?
•Why are the poor more at risk from drought and high temperatures?
•What case would you make to Australia’s government to persuade it to commit to the Paris
Agreement targets?

ANSWER

The Interconnected Threats of Drought, Heatwaves, and Forest Fires: Urgent Actions to Mitigate Climate Change

Introduction

The devastating impact of climate change is evident through the interconnected threats of drought, heatwaves, and wildfires. The examples of the Australian bushfires and the historic heatwaves in the western US and Canada serve as poignant reminders of the urgent need for action to combat global heating. This essay explores the links between drought, heatwaves, and wildfires, proposes changes in policies and behavior to reduce the risks of dangerous heatwaves, discusses the vulnerability of the poor to extreme weather events, and makes a compelling case for Australia’s government to commit to the Paris Agreement targets.

The Interlinked Cycle

Drought, heatwaves, and wildfires are interconnected phenomena, with each contributing to and exacerbating the other. Drought occurs when a region experiences a prolonged period of reduced rainfall, leading to dry soil and parched vegetation. As the soil dries up, it becomes more prone to heating up, further exacerbating heatwave conditions. In turn, the high temperatures intensify the drought’s severity, creating a vicious cycle that increases the risk of forest fires. Dry, hot air causes vegetation, including trees and brush, to dry out, increasing the likelihood of wildfires. The recent occurrence of ‘megadrought’ in the western US, where precipitation is lower than normal, illustrates how these three factors amplify one another, leading to catastrophic consequences.

Policies and Behavioral Changes to Reduce Heatwave Risks

To combat the increasing risks of dangerous heatwaves, comprehensive changes in policies and individual behavior are required. Firstly, governments must prioritize emissions reduction and transition to clean and sustainable energy sources. This entails phasing out coal-fired power plants, investing in renewable energy infrastructure, and promoting energy-efficient technologies. Additionally, stricter regulations on carbon emissions from industries and vehicles should be enforced to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

Secondly, urban planning must focus on climate resilience, incorporating green spaces, green roofs, and reflective surfaces to mitigate the urban heat island effect. Increased greenery can provide shade, enhance evapotranspiration, and cool down urban areas during extreme heat events.

Thirdly, public awareness campaigns are vital to promote energy conservation and educate the public about the risks of extreme heatwaves. Encouraging responsible water use during droughts, limiting outdoor activities during peak heat, and promoting heat-safe practices can significantly reduce the impact of heatwaves on human health.

Vulnerability of the Poor

The poor are disproportionately affected by drought and high temperatures due to several reasons. Firstly, they often reside in areas with inadequate infrastructure and limited access to essential resources, making them more susceptible to extreme weather events. Secondly, poverty restricts their ability to adapt and respond to heatwaves, as they may lack access to cooling facilities or health services. Moreover, low-income individuals are more likely to be employed in outdoor labor-intensive jobs, exposing them to higher health risks during heatwaves.

Making the Case for Australia’s Commitment to the Paris Agreement:
Australia, like California, has experienced the devastating consequences of climate change, particularly through the 2019 bushfires. The country’s commitment to the Paris Agreement targets is paramount in mitigating future risks. By pledging to reduce emissions and transitioning to renewable energy sources, Australia can take a leadership role in the fight against climate change.

The benefits of adhering to the Paris Agreement are numerous. Firstly, it will safeguard the environment, preserving unique ecosystems and biodiversity, which are vital for sustaining life on Earth. Secondly, it will protect public health, reducing the incidence of heat-related illnesses and deaths. Thirdly, it will create economic opportunities in the renewable energy sector, fostering innovation and job growth.

Conclusion

The interconnected threats of drought, heatwaves, and wildfires underscore the urgent need for global action against climate change. By implementing effective policies, promoting sustainable behavior, and addressing the vulnerabilities of the poor, we can reduce the risks associated with dangerous heatwaves and protect our planet’s future. Convincing Australia’s government to commit to the Paris Agreement targets is a crucial step toward building a sustainable and resilient world for generations to come. The time to act is now, and by working together, we can create a safer, healthier, and more sustainable planet.