On Extraordinary Clouds, Wild Fires and Global Threats

Last week, a Pew Research Center report said "climate change and infectious disease top list of global threats", according to a survey of adults in 14 countries.

Source: Pew Research Center. Survey included Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, UK and US

The National Interagency Fire Center, commenting on US fires, said, "large fires have burned 4.7 million acres across the western states ... More than 29,000 firefighters and support personnel are assigned to the wildfires." (Map details the breadth of the fires)

Source: InciWeb

 The Creek Fire (196,667 acres, 6% contained, east of Fresno, CA) created a "pyrocumulonimbus" cloud, which NASA called "the fire-breathing dragon of clouds". The cloud formation reached over 40,000 feet into the atmosphere. The fire is among the largest in California. 

Source: San Francisco Chronicle / Thalia Dockery

OUR TAKE

• As the western US confronts challenging fires, other signs of global climate change include increased wildfires in southern Europe, Canada, Australia, South America, Africa - as well as more turbulent storms, melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and more.

• Addressing the economic/social impacts of climate change (business/property losses, health risks, etc.) will require adaptation and innovation in many areas (zoning, forestry, construction, material design, insurance, medical care, alternative energy. etc.)

• Everyone can have a positive impact on both climate change and infectious diseases.  Eating healthier, wasting less, and walking more are parts of the solution.