As viewers in Oregon witness the heartbreaking L.First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude and pride to the more than 300 brave Oregon firemen who bravely traveled to the scene to assist during the wildfire disaster. But the rest of us could be asking ourselves, what else can we do?
Defensible areas and building hardening will be crucial new development goals to reduce property loss and slow the spread of fires. Climate change, however, is the main underlying cause. Severe wildfires have become far more often due to a warming globe, drier circumstances, shifting vegetation, and altered wind patterns.
Our congressional representatives must seek to significantly accelerate climate policy progress, such as by passing the Energy Permitting Reform Act and continuing to support the Inflation Reduction Act. This is the most crucial step. Making individual adjustments to a society reliant on renewable resources, such as purchasing an electric car or heat pump, shopping at secondhand stores for new clothing, etc., also helps.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a simple solution to stop major wildfires. However, our best chance of changing the course, particularly for future generations, is to confront global warming collaboratively.
Portland’s Matt Lane
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