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Forest fires emit CO2 in millions-of-tons each year

california wildfires

While the forest fire that raged across Southern California grabbed plenty of headlines, partially because of their enormity & partially as it hit Malibu. Somehow everything done in little Malibu is a big news. It seems it is virtually the ‘little Hollywood’, with every high profile wacko living there.

But, the disastrous consequences of this travesty are undeniable as they surely left an indelible mark on many lives which are now rendered homeless. They also have provided scientists a great opportunity to extend their study on global warming theories & garner some vital data.

I almost feel ashamed in making that last statement and it reminds of that little moment in the flick ‘Independence Day’ as the scientists tell the president of US that the last few days, since the alien attack have been “exciting”.

The same could be the case here, as this grave situation has given science an opportunity to peak into the raw power of Mother Nature. Science functions in methodical way and feelings don not count for much. Two Colorado researchers show that the blazing inferno that left a trail of destruction in California spewed out nearly 8.7 million tones of greenhouse gases. That is a phenomenally large quantity of emission.

The study also shows that 5 percent of greenhouse gas emission from US is attributed to forest fires. While 5 percent seems very small quantity, it still is a substantial figure. Alaskan forest fires have been termed as the most menacing with 27 percent of nation’s yearly forest fire CO2 emissions being attributed to them.

The ironic fact is that, forests that are supposed to absorb CO2 are actually emitting it in considerably large quantities. But then again facts show that forests indeed absorb a greater quantity of greenhouse gases than they emit.

While calculating the exact amount of CO2 released from forest fires is not possible, various scientific models do offer a pretty decent idea. So what do we learn from the recent inferno? Plant more trees and let nature take its own course. (and never let kids light a match box near dry grass in dense forest…).

I really don’t feel, there is much that needs to be done to tame forest fires as most often it is the forest’s way of cleaning itself up & letting new life take wings. It is we who are infringing the limits of nature and then tend to feel it is the other way around.

I still am smiling at the piece of work I did a week or so back, in which I was pretty certain that the Southern California fires were because of global warming. What happens a week later? I’m told a kid lit it up! Great… great indeed! Now that should be an assuring touch to my readers about the intelligence of their writer indeed!

Well done world media, you successfully tricked me into making an idiot out of myself & a huge thanks to one of my friends who made me add the word probably in the title of: ‘Southern California in flames ‘probably’ because of global warming’. Just imagine what it would have been without that ‘probably’. (& keep the match box away from kids, will you)

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