This Fires on the island of Maui (Hawaii) Physical geography and natural disaster expert Matthew Blackett says the events that shocked the world this week are “very rare” events that don’t usually happen on the islands and are mostly caused by climate change.
The forest fires that have ravaged the island of Maui and burned the historic city of Lahaina since Tuesday caused at least 89 deaths as of yesterday, and this number is expected to continue to increase as the days go by. The whereabouts of hundreds of people are unknown.
Besides its unusual impact (it is the deadliest wildfire in the US in the last century, according to officials released on Saturday) “very rare” phenomenonHe highlights Blackett, an expert at Coventry University, in testimonies collected by Efe Verde.
Wildfires are rare on islands, he explains, “because they’re partially surrounded by water, so when the wind moves over the ocean, which is very flat, it has to rise as soon as it hits the island, and this air is very water because it just flowed over the ocean and the water it collects as it rises above the land.” it turns into a cloud, causing precipitation.”
Although wildfires broke out on various islands, such as those in Greece or La Palma, this summer, Blackett said, these fires (mainly due to dry land conditions) Hawaii is an archipelago characterized by being very humid at all times.
Blackett emphasizes that the situation of the American archipelago is particularly special because “these are islands that are in the middle of nowhere and have never experienced drought,” but have been through a strong crisis in recent months. drought most likely caused by climate changesays the expert.
Hurricane is also related to climate change
Local Hawaiian officials attributed the speed and severity of the blazes to these dry conditions and winds from Hurricane Dora.
“The hurricane formed about 700-800 kilometers south of Hawaii, passed through the islands, and sucked in the air, producing really strong winds there, which fueled the fire,” says Blackett. an “unusual” severe hurricane (over 4,000 miles) that is also related to climate change.
“Scientists have long said that as the oceans warm, climate change will lead to larger hurricanes,” Blackett says.
A recent study published in the journal Union of Concerned Scientists Environmental Research Lettersrefers to the emissions produced by About 37% of the area burned in forest fires is behind 88 major fossil fuel producers and cement companies. In the western region of North America since 1986.
Blackett also does not hesitate to point to the oil and gas industry as responsible for the increase in the frequency and severity of wildfires around the world, emphasizing that “as humans we need to understand the impact of our actions on the nature and planet.” .
effects of tourism
Voices like Hawaii native and activist Kaniela Ing, director of the Green New Deal Network coalition, criticized the press for mentioning the island of Maui as a tourist destination, emphasizing: HENot only do tourists live on the island, but also locals like Kanaka Maoli – his people – and many other permanent residents.
Blackett said that the exact changes in the landscape transformation of the economy into a tourism-oriented model (to the detriment of the primary sector) They contributed to the creation of such favorable conditions for llamas.
“People have lived on these islands for thousands of years, and the forest fires did not affect them.. Tourism to the Hawaiian Islands, like many other places, has been to replace some traditional ways of life, such as agriculture, with cement, asphalt, and tourist attractions, the expert adds.
It also highlights other factors related to Hawaii’s colonization. For example, The unintentional introduction of invasive species like guineagrass, which grows there an average of 15 cm per day due to the humid conditions of the islands, but when there is a drought, as in the archipelago “That grass is fuel for fires.”
……..
Contact address of the environment department: [email protected]