http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/wildfires.html
published by nasa.gov
posted September 24, 2010
With an increase in wildfires, scientists believe they are a symptom of Global Warming. Most of the fires are in fact “human instigated”. The extent of damage from the fires varies from each ecosystem. Some biomass is more combustible, while others burn at higher temperatures. Any burning biomass releases harmful chemicals or gases, such as carbon monoxide, and can threaten the health of humans.
The author clearly states facts found from scientists, but also writes about one mans experience with a close encounter of a wildfire. The man describes it as eerie, and although knows it is environmentally harmful, seems to enjoy the view of burning Earth. However, there is little to now bias in the article.
I. Earth Systems and Resources
B. The Atmosphere
II. The Living World
C. Ecosystem diversity
III.Land and Water Use
B. Forestry
IV. Pollution
A. Air Pollution
B. Impacts on the Environment and Human Health
1. Hazards to Human Health
V. Global Change
A. Stratospheric Ozone
B. Global Warming
C. Loss of Biodiversity
1. Habitat loss
Wildfires are sometimes necessary in some biomes. In a chaparral, vegetation becomes very dry and flammable-- chaparrals are adapted to and maintained by fires because many of the shrubs store food reserves in their fire-resistant roots and produce seeds that sprout only after a hot fire (Miller- Living in the Environment). I do agree that when wildfires get out of hand, they release large amounts of greenhouse gases that add to global warming, which eventually cause global climate changes. I believe that play a significant role in some biomes and if kept under control will serve it purpose.
ReplyDeleteStephanie Udalor 6th
The article is clearly pro-environmental. It blames humans for the increase in fires because humans increase the amount of greenhouse gases which increase the temperature which then increases lightning which increases fires. I do believe that humans emit a great amount of greenhouse gases but I do not believe its enough to increase the temperature by enough to cause multiple problems including an increase in fires. The earth I believe in warming on its own. Its a natural cycle that the earth goes through--ice age then warming.
ReplyDeleteThis article is informative and persuasive. It lays out the facts in an clear manor, yet persuades the reader that global warming has more effects than melting the ice caps. I agree with Caroline that the article is obviously pro environmental. The author has done his research and has consulted with experts in the field. It is interesting to hear that many, many of the fires are started by humans. So if humans are not the entirely at fault for global warming, they are largely at fault for many of this years wildfires.
ReplyDelete-Mary Jacobs
The bias in this article obviously leans towards environmentalists that are extremely worried about every emission of greenhouse gases. Wildfires clean up their environment, breaking down the dead biomass in the way of the biome flourishing. What happens in most cases nowadays, people interfere with the natural cycle that goes on by stopping all wildfires from happening creating a huge buildup of dead biomass. Therefore, when a wildfire actually occurs it is much more drastic than it could have been if it happened 20 years earlier. Now keeping this in mind, if a wildfire with a massive buildup of dead biomass occurs it will emit much more carbon dioxide into the air than if it was a natural wildfire cycle. No matter how many greenhouse gases are emitted into the air breaking down dead biomass is a very necessary and natural thing so environmentalists should be more worried about emissions from synthetics such as cars not natural cycles.
ReplyDeleteThis article shows the potential effects of climate change that go beyond just global warming. The fact that these fires are "human instigated" shows that we still don't know everything that global warming will affect. If we don't stop climate change soon, humans are going to "feel the burn"! Ha ha!
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