Author: Willy Phillips

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Wildfires Ravage Eastern Canada Amidst Political Gridlock

bird's view of tall trees covered with smokes

13 June 2023 – By Willy Phillips

Canada is on track to have the deadliest year of fires to date, and the question of how to move forward is largely unanswered.

Eastern Canada has experienced the worst season of wildfires to date. With over 400 burns since the fire season began in May, the 43,000 sq km of burned area may only be the beginning. So far,  15,000 people have been displaced within the past two weeks, bringing the total displacements this year up to 100,000. Many more risk the same fate as fire season has just begun and extends into late October.

The atmospheric impacts of the fires have been far reaching as apocalyptic-like haze has become commonplace along the east coast, stretching 700 miles south into North Carolina. Major league baseball games, flights within the US, and many outdoor activities within this international stretch of land have been canceled or delayed as hopes for blue summer skies dwindle.

Multiple factors have contributed to these fires, mainly a buildup of dry brush within forests, a lack of controlled burns, higher-than-average temperatures, and low rainfall levels. While climate change is not entirely responsible for record-setting burns, it has played a significant role in creating ideal fire conditions, setting the scene for more devastating and uncontrollable fires. 

The United States and other countries have provided over 600 additional personnel and various resources to aid the Canadian Government. Internally, response teams are stretched to their limits as the fires crawl insidiously and sporadically along their path. Fire crews have reportedly been working 12-18 hour shifts to limit the damage done to residential and wilderness areas.

The Canadian House of Commons has been filled with intense debate and finger-pointing as a response to the fires. No consensus has been reached for a preventative solution as both sides remain in a deadlock and have passed the blame onto one another. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has publicly criticized the opposition Conservative Party for blocking progress in the climate sector. Similarly, Trudeau has been called out for his approval of new extraction plans and subsidies given to the fossil fuel industry.

While politics has clouded the situation, the need for improved fire prevention and management strategies has become apparent. For Canadian citizens, a new approach to fire management is paramount. Katrina Moser, Western University’s geography and environment department head, has made clear the answer does not lie in political blaming but rather in concrete and unifying action. “Scientists have been warning us about this for years,” said Moser. “Everybody should be working on reducing fossil fuel emissions. That’s the critical thing: these fires are telling us something. We really need to take action right now. We need to get serious about reducing fossil fuel emissions.”

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EPA Power Diminished in Supreme Court Ruling

blue and white boat on water under white clouds and blue sky during daytime

2 June 2023 – by Willy Phillips

This post covers the recent Supreme Court ruling which limits power of the EPA to regulate water pollution.

In a 5-4 decision last week, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled to limit the power of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in policing water pollution via the Clean Water Act. This decision limits the power of the EPA to set regulations and has raised concerns about the potential risks to valuable ecosystems and national water quality.

The ruling, which stemmed from the Sackett V EPA case in Montana, has narrowed the EPA’s jurisdiction to regulate pollution in wetlands. According to the Supreme Court, the EPA overstepped its authority by expanding the “waters of the United States” definition under the Clean Water Act which was established over 50 years ago. The court’s majority opinion argued that the EPA’s broad interpretation of this term encompassed bodies of water that did not fall within the scope of federal regulation.

Wetlands play a crucial role in supporting diverse ecosystems, acting as natural filters for water, and providing habitat for numerous plant and animal species. This ruling has raised concerns that the reduced authority of the EPA to regulate wetlands could lead to increased pollution and degradation of these valuable ecosystems. Without robust federal oversight, wetlands and their associated ecosystems may be vulnerable to harmful practices such as industrial pollution and unregulated development.

The Supreme Court’s decision has created a fragmented regulatory framework across states. Unlike state lines, wetlands do not have clear borders. As a result, states may adopt varying standards and regulations, creating inconsistencies and gaps in environmental protection, further complicating national efforts to address pollution. Acting as a new precedent, more cases challenging EPA jurisdiction are sure to arise. 

Environmentalists and conservationists have expressed concern about the ruling, highlighting the potential consequences for water quality and biodiversity. They argue that wetlands are vital for maintaining the balance of ecosystems, protecting against floods, and supporting wildlife populations. Justice Elena Kagan led the dissenting opinion, stating the court has unjustly positioned itself as the “national decision-maker on environmental policy.” 

This decision highlights questions about the balance between environmental protection and property rights. Critics of expansive EPA regulations argue that they impose unnecessary burdens on landowners, limiting their ability to utilize their properties for economic purposes. Meanwhile, proponents of the regulations argue environmental matters are the responsibility of the EPA and not the Supreme Court. The ruling essentially reflects a judicial attempt to balance protecting the environment and respecting individual property rights, of which the implications are yet to be realized.

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Mediterranean Heatwave Considered “almost impossible” Without Impacts of Climate Change

bokeh photography of thermometer on plant

15 May 2023 – by Willy Phillips

Since mid-April 2023, the Mediterranean region has experienced record-breaking sustained 40-degree Celsius temperatures due to an unprecedented heatwave. The uncharacteristically hot and dry spring has led to wildfires, droughts, and water shortages, affecting millions of people in countries such as Spain, Morocco, and Italy. The heatwave, described as the most severe in recent history, has quickly captured scientists’ and citizens’ attention.

According to experts studying the phenomenon, the heatwave would be “almost impossible” without the current climate crisis and the resulting atmospheric changes. A study from the World Weather Attribution found that the increase in global temperatures due to greenhouse gas emissions was the primary cause of the heat wave. The report further states that if no mitigatory efforts are taken, such heat waves will become more frequent and intense, leading to severe consequences for the region’s ecosystems, resources, and people.

The European Space Agency (ESA) monitors the Mediterranean region and has reported that a marine heatwave, understood as “extreme rises in ocean temperature over an extended period of time,” also affects the Mediterranean Sea. The recent heatwave has caused the sea’s surface temperature to rise, leading to the expansion of harmful algal blooms and the death of marine life. The ESA has also reported that the marine heatwave has affected the region’s fisheries and tourism industries, leading to significant economic losses.

The heatwave hit Spain and Morocco the hardest, with temperatures reaching 45 degrees Celsius. As a result, severe wildfires have torn through the regions, destroying forests and homes, forcing thousands of people to evacuate. The temperature spikes have also worsened water shortages in the area, with some cities resorting to water rationing.

The Mediterranean heatwave is a warning sign that the varied effects of climate change may be upon us. Moreover, it highlights the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prioritize human longevity as extreme temperatures, droughts, and wildfires become more significant threats to humanity. 

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6 Million Displaced from Earthquake in Turkey and Syria

a car is parked in front of a destroyed building

12 April 2023 – by Willy Phillips

Update on the February earthquake in Turkey and Syria 

In Turkey and Syria, earthquake rescue efforts shift to housing crisis as countless call refugee camps home.

On February 6th, 2023, two historic earthquakes struck Syria and Turkey. In the past 65 days, refugee camps and impromptu shelters have filled the streets. The first 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit near the Turkish city of Gaziantep, followed a few hours later by a second 7.5 magnitude event centered in the Elbistan district, a mere 80 miles away. Two weeks later, a 6.4 magnitude event hit the city of Antakya, a Turkish town nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the Syrian border.

Since February, the attitude surrounding the disaster has shifted from search and rescue to providing essential resources for those impacted, particularly concerning the housing crisis. The British Red Cross estimates this disaster affected over 26 million people, displaced 6 million, killed 50,000, and injured 100,000.

In addition to the unfathomable number of casualties, many buildings crumbled atop the seismic activity. Along with the stresses of war on infrastructure, poor building design is cited as the primary reason for such extensive damage. 160,000 buildings, holding over 500,000 apartment units, collapsed in on themselves in whites known as a ‘pancake collapse‘. Nearly 200 builders, contractors, and building owners have been arrested on suspicion of ignoring updated and more costly building codes during construction. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has promised weary citizens accountability as concerns over infrastructure stability and longevity continue to rise.

International aid provision has been substantial, as 94 countries have contributed finances, supplies, and on-ground assistance. While over 140,000 volunteers have assisted thus far, impacted areas are still stricken with displacement and a lack of essential resources. Aid efforts now focus on housing, as an estimated 1.5 million people need shelter. Many have taken to the streets, establishing themselves in impromptu shelters while waiting for rebuilding efforts to begin. In the immediate future, however, refugee camps will become home for those unable to reside elsewhere. 

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Winter Earthquake Poses Distinct Challenges in Relief Efforts Throughout Turkey and Syria 

There is nothing left in this place

8 February 2023 – by Willy Phillips

*As this is an ongoing story, another piece will be posted in the following week with updated information

Vulnerable buildings, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake and complicated relief efforts put millions at risk following the disaster in Syria and Turkey.

In the early hours of Monday, February 6th, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit southern/central Turkey and northern Syria, marking the region’s largest seismic event in over a century. By nightfall, destruction hung heavily over the region as a 7.5 magnitude aftershock struck. The epicenter appeared near Nurdagi city in the Turkish province of Gaziantep. As of February 8th, over 12,000 individuals have been pronounced dead. The geography of the region, combined with the lack of earthquake-proof infrastructure, has resulted in a devastating 72 hours.

Understanding “why” this event occurred requires knowledge of the tectonic plates below the impacted countries. Briefly, much of southern Turkey sits atop the Anatolian plate, and Syria atop the Arabian plate. The movement and collision of these plates within the Earth’s crust causes an energy build-up, eventually releasing seismic wave energy. These seismic waves are responsible for destroying roads, buildings, and livelihoods on the Earth’s surface over 17 km above. As roads collapse and building rubble grows, rescue operations struggle to provide life-saving relief.

Relief efforts have come under pressure in the last day. In addition to being overwhelmed by potential rescue efforts and severe fuel shortages, below-freezing temperatures have heightened anxieties around sites with possible survivors. Turkish President Tayyip Ergodan has entrusted over 20,000 soldiers and rescue personnel with relief efforts, but the damage has thus far outpaced their abilities. Moreover, an alleged focus on the ‘lives of the living’ has caused tensions between rescue workers and those who have lost loved ones in indiscriminate piles of rubble. Reportedly, efforts have since picked up in the hardest hit areas, but much work is still to be done.

The conflict between Syria and Turkey has further complicated relief provision as the two governments have yet to discuss cooperative solutions for aid. Additionally, a former advisor to the Syrian president, Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban, called out international relief efforts from the west. She stated, “It’s not humanity. It’s politics” when discussing contributions from the US and EU. While it is difficult to understand the nuances present, there is a certainty in that many people are still without essential resources. The charity Save the Children has been a significant player on the ground and has called for heightened international assistance, urging that “the window to get shelter, medical supplies, water and food to the worst affected areas…. is rapidly closing.”

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Oak Fire in California: Sparking New Fire Management?

people walking near fire

1 September 2022 – Willy Phillips

This piece discusses the Oak Fire in California and the future of fire cycles in the state. 

On July 22nd, the foothills of Sierra Nevada, California, saw the state’s most sporadic and unpredictable fire to date, called the Oak Fire. The Oak Fire burned nearly 18,000 acres in its first three days. About 2,000 firefighters fought to keep the blaze at bay, which destroyed numerous properties and left thousands without power. The CAL fire department reported over 6,000 people evacuated in the first 72 hours of the blaze. Today, over a month later, the fire is nearly contained, but still holds an ‘active’ listing on the fire departments website. As the fire season comes to a close, many fear events as unpredictable and rampant as this are soon to be commonplace.

California has faced some of the United States’ most severe climate challenges. From extensive droughts to unmatched heatwaves, the state is familiar with the impact of climate change on their fire season. Beth Pratt, a regional fire expert, spoke of the regularity of big fires, saying, “The fire cycle up here, before these 1,500-year droughts which we’re in, was like a big one every 15, 20 years, now we have multiple big fires every year.” 

The uptick in massive fires has not happened overnight. Instead, years of unrelenting drought, warmer-than-average temperatures, and a buildup of dry-brush fuel on the forest floor have created ideal fire conditions. Across California, fire crews and departments have cited “explosive fire behavior” due to the unprecedented lack of moisture. In fact, soil records reveal these are the driest conditions California has seen in 1200 years, with no hopes of moisture on the horizon. As even drier conditions take hold in California, fire management is due for an overhaul. Evacuation as a management strategy is entirely unsustainable, but can only be avoided with comprehensive and collaborative management.

To build these new strategies, the state and supporting agencies have much work to do. Citizens can do their part by adhering to evacuation strategies and being disaster-ready with supplies on hand. However, a large amount of fire safety must come from proactive state-wide efforts to address climate change, like fire-proofing buildings, and prescribed burns throughout the state. Previous fire management strategies utilizing rainfall and cooler temperatures have fallen short. In response, experts are calling for more proactive and comprehensive approaches that depend on multi-level cooperation and continued adaptation to the observed conditions. Undoubtedly a tough task, but one that is critical to the longevity of the state and its residents.