Another Twist in the Wildfires

Australian authorities arrested a man on account of arson associated with the wildfires that have killed over 180 people, destroyed 1,800 homes, blackened 1,500 square miles of forests and farmland, and caused serious damage to native species in the area. As the investigation to confirm the immediate and implicit source of the fires continues, the outcry for paying closer attention to addressing climate change is getting louder.

The intensity of the wildfires has been linked to an alarming rise in temperatures, heat waves and prolonged spells of drought. Time Magazine's Bryan Walsh, for example, writes about the topic in "Why Global Warming May Be Fueling Australia's Fires."

For a long time, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and using cleaner energy sources have been, as they should, part of tackling global warming. While reductions are part of a coherent strategy, reforestation and other restoration measures are also needed.

Offsetting initiatives done by Carbonfund.org in reforestation, for example, play an important part in complementing efforts by our organization and others in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Another important lesson to learn from this event is to prioritize the environment as an integral factor of land-use planning. Walsh writes that the rise of residential occupancy in fire-danger zones in southern Australia increases the likelihood of fire and the intensity of damage caused by it. Read more about the wildfires in the Time article.