Economist Podcasts Great walls of fire: America’s west coast burns
Sep 11, 2020
In this discussion, Katrine Bragg, Environment editor at The Economist, highlights the escalating wildfire crisis on America's West Coast, driven by climate change and urban development. She sheds light on the importance of updated fire prevention measures and architectural innovations in building fire-resistant communities. The conversation also touches on the rise of misinformation surrounding vaccines, exacerbated by historical anti-vaxxer movements. Finally, it explores the evolution of outlaw motorcycle gangs in Northern Europe and their increasing influence in the drug trade.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Wildfires Rage in Western US
- America's western states are battling nearly 100 wildfires, fueled by low humidity and high temperatures.
- These fires have caused significant devastation, prompting discussions about climate change and fire prevention.
Record-Breaking Fire Season
- This year's fire season in California has already broken records for acres burned, with smoke darkening skies even at midday.
- Wildfires are also impacting Oregon and Washington state.
Intensifying Fire Regimes
- Globally, fire regimes are intensifying due to drier landscapes and longer fire seasons.
- Urbanization in woodland areas, known as the wildland urban interface, exacerbates the human damage caused by these fires.