Dear EarthTalk: How can we get better at predicting when and where wildfires will occur so we can adequately mitigate their impact? ~ R.K., Tarrytown, NY
In recent years, the wildfires incidents have intensified, driven by factors including climate change, land use patterns and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. As we grapple with the growing risk, efforts to enhance predictive capabilities and mitigate the impact of wildfires have become paramount.
Predicting when and where wildfires will occur demands a sophisticated approach that integrates advanced technology with comprehensive data analysis. Indeed, researchers are leveraging cutting-edge satellite imagery and machine learning algorithms to enhance wildfire prediction models. These technologies allow experts to analyze historical fire data, vegetation patterns, weather trends and terrains in unprecedented detail. By identifying high-risk areas and predicting potential fire behavior, scientists can provide early warnings to at-risk communities and allocate firefighting resources more effectively.
Increased wildfires have also spurred new mitigation strategies. The Wilderness Society stresses three key approaches to reduce wildfire impacts: proactive forest management (controlled burns and selective thinning of vegetation, making forests less susceptible to catastrophic fires), community preparedness (educating residents about fire safety, setting evacuation plans and increasing firefighting infrastructure), and policy reforms (stricter building codes and incentivized sustainable land management practice).
The federal government is also ramping up initiatives. One is the Technology to Reduce the Impact of Wildfires (TRIW) initiative, where federal agencies work together to develop innovative tools like fire-resistant materials, advanced firefighting equipment and real-time communication systems. This not only enhance firefighter safety but also improve response times and coordination during wildfire events.
Private industry is also getting in on the act. One company, Blue Sky Analytics, uses a network of sensors with AI and machine learning to beef up our ability to predict and prevent fires. Drones with infrared cameras can detect hotspots and monitor fire progression in real-time, providing critical data. Sensors deployed across vulnerable landscapes continuously collect data, feeding into models that forecast fire behavior based on current conditions. Such advancements enable authorities to issue timely alerts and deploy resources where they are most needed.
Combining these public and private initiatives with the power of citizen science can make all the difference as to whether fire mitigation succeeds or fails. By integrating field observations with scientific data, experts gain a more comprehensive understanding of wildfire dynamics and its impacts.
MORE INFORMATION: www.wilderness.org/articles/blog/3-reasons-wildfires-are-getting-more-dangerous-and-3-ways-make-things-better.
Dear EarthTalk: What’s the most effective way to remove pesticide residues from fruits and vegetables that I buy at the supermarket? ~ R.L.J., Kansas City, KS
For many decades now, pesticides have been a vital tool for farmers to ensure that their harvests aren’t overgrown by weeds or eaten by pests. As a result, pesticides remain prevalent today, in spite of the many health risks that pesticide residues still pose to people consuming fruits and vegetables. It’s worth noting that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has placed limits on the amount of pesticide residue found on produce—called “tolerances”—to ensure that people will most likely not be impacted by harmful “persistent organic pollutants” (POPs) such as glyphosate and atrazine. However, it’s still important to make individual efforts to clean produce to further protect your personal health and safety.
A recent report from the American Chemical Society analyzed data provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and found that 20 percent of 59 different produce categories posed significant health risks to consumers despite current pesticide limits. The researchers developed new methods for finding and removing traces of pesticides from produce, as they found that traditional methods of cleaning produce were insufficient. Most notably, the report posits that pesticides go beyond the produce’s surface to leach into the food, meaning that washing may not be as effective. Further research is needed to determine the full risks and implications of current pesticide limits. Regardless, all produce should be cleaned thoroughly before consumption.
There are varied opinions on the best methods for removing pesticide residues from produce, and no method is 100 percent effective. Rinsing produce is somewhat helpful for cleaning off dirt and germs, but soaking their fruits and vegetables in warm vinegar or salt solutions may be better; however, some sources claim that exposure to these solutions may allow chemicals to form more complex, equally dangerous chemical compounds, so always follow soaking with thorough rinsing. Finally, peeling or boiling produce can be highly effective in removing residues, though you will suffer a loss of nutrients.
Of course, the only way to significantly reduce your exposure to food-borne synthetic chemicals is by buying organic, as organic foods are not grown with the assistance of hazardous pesticides. You might have to pay a little more, but isn’t your health and peace of mind worth it?
MORE INFORMATION: http://npic.orst.edu/faq/fruitwash.html; https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/08/clean-fruit-vegetables-pesticides; https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/how-to-series-removing-pesticide-residue.
Dear EarthTalk: Where do we stand in jettisoning coal as an electricity source? ~ K.N. via email
Before dinosaurs roamed the earth, large plants grew and died in swampy forests. In the eons that followed, layers of rock and dirt covered the plants, and heat and pressure turned them into a substance high in carbon and hydrocarbons: Coal. The history of coal mining is a dark tale of child labor, black lung disease and an untold number of miners blown up in mining accidents. Research started in 1980 found that acid rain was caused by burning coal, and thus coal’s negative impact on ecosystems became clearer as well. This spurred industries into action and $1 billion was spent on air pollution control equipment.
Yet, 44 years later, coal remains the world’s largest source of electricity generation, with coal demand hitting a historic high in 2022. In 2023, two-thirds of coal-burning plants in the works were in China, which accounts for 60 percent of global coal usage. Despite the known risks, it has proven challenging to get away from this energy source, partially due to the difficulties presented by clean energy sources.
Solar power, or light from the sun that is converted into energy by photovoltaic cells, is restricted by geography—its use is impacted by weather, clouds and tree cover. Wind power may not be cost-competitive in areas that lack wind, and ideal sites to set up wind turbines are often in remote areas. Hydropower, which takes advantage of the movement of waterways, can be less practical in areas where wind slows the current or drought dries up reservoirs. Despite this, technological advances and advocacy against climate change bring greater hope to improvements implementation of renewable energy sources.
The COP28 and G7 agreements are a formal capture of that hope. COP28, which occurred at the end of 2023, resulted in a call from the United Nations for governments to speed up their transition away from fossil fuels. G7 followed shortly after, as the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom came together and signed a deal to end the use of full-strength power plants between 2030 and 2035. Critics argue that too much leeway is given to countries heavily reliant on coal, but it is a strong signal from industrialized democracies that the transition away from coal should be a priority.
Consumers can help the movement away from coal by opting for renewable energy sources, either by selecting them from your utility’s offerings or installing your own solar panels (or wind turbines) where you live or work. If electricity generated by burning coal is the only option where you live, make your home and office as energy efficient as possible and do your best to reduce the amount of electricity you use.
MORE INFORMATION: https://www.statista.com/topics/3255/coal-energy-industry-worldwide/; https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/renewable-energy-types.
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