The words “carbon
footprint” evoke images of industrial factories spewing smog, vehicles idling
in traffic, or the feelings of shame for participating in unsustainable air travel. The work of removing CO2 from Earth’s atmosphere is largely done by microorganisms in the oceans and by
trees on land. However, issues like ocean acidification and mass deforestation
jeopardize the planet’s ability to keep these global systems in check.
According to the United Nations, forest lands now cover less than 1/3rd of the Earth’s solid surface, and this number continues to decline.
Forest fires exact a multiplied toll on Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, with the
trees they destroy and remove from the carbon sink equation. Over the
past two months, thousands of precious hectors of forests have been incinerated
by more than 700
forest fires in the Canadian province of British Columbia (BC). The long-term
increase of atmospheric CO2 is not the only negative impact that forest fires have on human life. Smoke
from fires kill more than those who die from incineration. The forest fires
in BC have resulted in numerous air quality warnings and pose a serious health risk for those with
delicate respiratory systems. To learn the current conditions of the air
quality where you live, visit: https://waqi.info/.
Being
carbon conscious is in the best interest of everyone’s health. Take the time
to consider your actions that contribute to your carbon
footprint, and most importantly, be fire smart by taking Smokey’s
pledge.
Click the video link to watch Sally Aitken's escape through one of BC's 2017 wildfires
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