Wildfires are Intensifying. What can be Done?

By Janessa Chaplin. This story was collected as part of a 2023 open call for submissions. It is one of 17 stories that were selected to be published.

As I learn more about climate change through my local Envirothon team, I am becoming increasingly concerned about the future. Of course, there are the well-known effects of extreme weather, warming waters, and warming temperatures. I am finding out just how rooted the change is in our economy, home, and health. We can observe what is going on around us (more smoke, lower rivers in the summer), but I didn't realize it could all be attributed to climate change until recently.

Research shows that changes in climate create warmer, drier conditions, leading to longer and more active fire seasons. This is something my family has noticed over the years. My mom loves hiking and has been noticing more and more decimated areas of forest that show little signs of coming back. I notice it because I can’t go play tennis outside without feeling a sting in my throat. Since wildfires are lasting longer, they are pumping out more smoke and ash, which can cause sore throats, a cough, watery eyes, congestion, headaches, and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. This is especially dangerous for those whose health is already impaired and who may need to get exercise outside but can’t without risking their health. Fires are destroying approximately 250 percent more structures than in the previous ten years. Furthermore, climate change has allowed fires to burn hotter, which means that instead of forests being able to grow back stronger and greener, they remain burned.

Envirothon has also taught me about what I can do about it, such as how I can help measure, promote, and implement climate-saving technology. It is a huge responsibility to try to stop climate change because we are so dependent on many factors that contribute to it. But we don't need to stop climate change; we just need to mitigate it. We can help spread knowledge about preventing forest fires and planting trees. The government has helped by providing billions of dollars in funding to help reduce the effects of climate change. The forest service, in particular, can use it to do controlled burning to improve forest conditions.

I feel as if I have an obligation to help mitigate climate change, and I have become overwhelmed with the amount of trouble the world is facing. I need the reminder that there are things that I can do, so that there is hope for future generations.

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Janessa Chaplin was born and raised in Hamilton, Montana, where she is currently a senior at Hamilton High School. Recently, she has taken an interest in environmental science which is where she became passionate about climate change issues. She loves to bake, make art, play sports and hang out with her cats.