Escape from Shalott: Smoky summer afternoons

Here's what climate change looks like in the West: a period of sun-free summer sunsets for the nth summer in a row, and driving to pick up your kid from Young Men's Camp because the smoke from California fires has made Utah's air quality the worst in the world, and he's having an allergy attack! (Too bad, 'cuz he'd been having a blast!)

Also, one fire got within 30 yards of my relatives' house, but firefighters were able to save it 😳

Forest management plays a role in fires, of course. We've had too many years of "Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires"...so natural, needed fires got put out, and controlled burns didn't happen enough. But warming makes things worse. And every indication is that big fires are the new "normal" until there's nothing left to burn.

Here's why:

Warmer air=faster evaporation=drier soil=faster water cycle=more rain in rainy places, less rain in drought places=drought=longer, hotter dry season=crispy vegetation=🔥🔥🔥

(Also: Drier soil=more absorption when it does rain=less water in reservoirs.)

🗞 News: You can now look up your house and see how much climate change--by way of increased flooding, fire, etc--will affect your location in the coming 30 years (the length of a mortgage). The service is free right now. My result points to higher temps (duh), drought, but also storms...meaning when the rain/snow does come, it comes with a vengeance! Check out the tool here: https://climatecheck.com/

✅ As always, the best thing you can do is call your reps and tell them good climate change policy is important to you. TODAY you can CALL YOUR SENATORS and tell them you support the bipartisan infrastructure bill (they're voting on it soon). It doesn't have as much green stuff in it as *I'd* like, but it's a start! Find them here:

https://myreps.datamade.us/#/?results_level=local,county,state,federal

Sources:

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/whats-causing-the-drought-in-the-west-and-why-its-so-bad

https://gimletmedia.com/shows/howtosaveaplanet/39h6wb7/fighting-fire-with-fire?utm_source=gimletWebsite&utm_medium=copyShare&utm_campaign=gimletWebsite

https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-drought

https://ksltv.com/470177/salt-lake-city-tops-worlds-worst-air-quality-list-on-friday/

https://www.google.com/amp/s/gizmodo.com/redfin-will-now-tell-you-how-at-risk-your-dream-home-is-1847421501/amp