"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Tag: Wildfires
Why Does a Sudden Surge of HVAC Usage Increase the Chance for Wildfires to Happen?
01/31/20
“Why does sudden HVAC usage in a community increase the chance for wildfires to happen?”
On hot days, HVAC usage swells, causing utility lines to become overworked and bend over. Combined with the already hot conditions, if a utility line sags into foliage a wildfire can occur. This is why a Sudden Surge of HVAC Usage Increases the Chance for Wildfires to Happen
Image credit http://www.schwickerts.com
How Policies Can Be Used to Enforce More Resilient Construction Standards in the Wildland-Urban Interface
01/29/20
“How can we use policies to enforce greater resilience in wildfire country?”
With the threats posed by climate change, housing in the wildland-urban interface needs serious rethinking. Because of the inherent liabilities of building and living in the area, more rigorous construction standards need to be enacted so houses are safe in case a wildfire comes. This can be enacted and enforced using policy mechanisms. This is How Policies Can Be Used to Enforce More Resilient Construction Standards in the Wildland-Urban Interface.
How More Fire-Resistant Materials Will Ease Living in Wildfire Territory
01/28/20
“How can new building materials ease living in wildfire-prone lands?”
Living in the wildland-urban interface is becoming ever more difficult for its residents with the effects of climate change. However, with the introduction of more fire-resistant materials, houses in these areas will be able to withstand the effects of wildfires more and allow communities to thrive. This is How More Fire-Resistant Materials Will Ease Living in Wildfire Territory.
Image credit http://www.fs.usda.gov
Wildland-Urban Interface Maps
01/25/20
“Why are maps of the wildland-urban interface so important?”
The wildland-urban interface defines the nexus between human civilization and the vast swaths of forests on the Earth. And since it has such a paramount effect on resilience and development, Wildland-Urban Interface Maps need to be developed to keep track of everything. With time, these maps will need to be updated to reflect the development of climate change.
Image credit cdn.citylab.com
Why Having Consistent Power Is Critical for Maintaining Livable Interior Air Quality in Buildings During Wildfires
01/23/20
“Why is it important for a building to have consistent power to ensure breathability during wildfires?”
Air filtration devices are critical for providing breathable interior air quality during wildfires. However, these devices tend to be dependent on a consistent supply of electricity. If this is pulled, such as in the case of public power shutoffs, then these devices will also collapse, destroying their resiliency benefits. This is Why Having Consistent Power Is Critical for Maintaining Livable Interior Air Quality in Buildings During Wildfires.
Why Wildfires Drive Carbon Emissions Through the Roofs
01/21/20
“Why are wildfires particularly terrible for climate change?”
Wildfires are infamous for their disaster potential. However, one of their most lethal side-effects are their ability to drive carbon emissions through the roof. By burning down trees, large amounts of carbon are released into the atmosphere. This can be seen in California where the emissions sent out by the campfire roughly equal the total power-sector emissions for the same year and in Australia where the ongoing bushfires may have doubled the state’s climate emissions. This is Why Wildfires Drive Carbon Emissions Through the Roofs.
How the Wildfire Crisis and the Water Crisis Are Interdependent
01/18/20
“Why is it that the ongoing wildfire and water crises are deeply interrelated?”
Although the climate-induced wildfire and water crises appear to be quite divergent, they’re actually are both overlapping issues. An oversupply of rain in one season and undersupply in another cannot only cause flooding and drought respectively but also make an area much riper for wildfires. Furthermore, when wildfires occur a gargantuan amount of water resources need to be used to take it out and the particulate matter released can pollute local water sites. This is How the Wildfire Crisis and the Water Crisis Are Interdependent.
Image credit assets.weforum.org
How Ecosystems Will Be Permanently Damage From the Australian Bushfires
01/17/20
“Why is it that the bushfire might permanently damage Australia’s ecosystems? ”
Australia is going through catastrophic damages from the bushfires right now. And one of the most pressing issues will be its ecosystem damage. Just like how a burnt-down town may never recover, a torched landscape will have its residents move out and may no longer be suitable to live in. This is How Ecosystems Will Be Permanently Damage From the Australian Bushfires.
Image credit http://www.abc.net.au
How Rainfall Is Bringing Both Relief and New Problems to Australia
01/16/20
“How is rainfall both a remedy and a hindrance to Australia’s current resilience problems?”
Drought and bushfire stricken Australia is breathing a sigh of relief as extreme rainfall is hitting down on the eastern part of the country. But like many things in human infrastructure, the solution to one problem often causes another one to occur. In particular, the torrential rain create the potential for Mass floods as the soil is less able to hold water do to the longevity of recent droughts. If you’re in Australia, don’t be surprised if you were seeing warnings on the television change from bushfires to flash floods. This is How Rainfall Is Bringing Both Relief and New Problems to Australia.
Image credit static.boredpanda.com
Isaac's Science Blog 