A Social Disaster Caused by a Natural One: A Call for Resilience & Support
If you have been outside in the region or checking out any media sources, you are well aware of the extreme air quality concerns moving in the United States. This has been a reality-check for areas that have not dealt with these conditions annually, and, unfortunately, this is just the beginning.
With over 150 fires burning and a storm spiraling off of the coast, high volumes of smoke are being sent down from Quebec to the American East Coast. This smokey air is coming down from large forest fires in Quebec. Causes of the blazes are cited as lightning strikes along with climate change-driven record dryness.
There is very compelling evidence that there is more to come. As drought areas skyrocket, fire-prone areas continue to grow. With high volumes of particulate matter and carbon release, hospitals are preparing for an uptick in patients.
Beyond a public health crisis, there are major societal impacts of these fires. There are critical infrastructure threats, as the call for resilience is exacerbated. The climate is changing. If we do not change with it, we will not be able to sustain our already-decaying infrastructure.
With very little visibility through the smoke, operations such as rail and transportation are being suspended. In addition, these conditions are impacting access to resources from outdoor work like mining. Businesses, like those providing outdoor activities, are also suffering the repercussions during their usually-busy season.
As those without access to shelter are exposed to the air, there is a disparity in impacts in lower-income areas or those experiencing homelessness. These communities, with existing inequities when it comes to infrastructure quality, are also far more susceptible to the swelling impacts of climate-related disasters. Their infrastructure is statistically more likely to fail and less likely to get the equitable attention it needs. With Natural Disasters sweeping the world, the numbers of people in these demographics increase due to displacement or property damage.
Luckily, programs are popping up to address the needs of both failing infrastructure and equity. More in our News Room…
What You & Your Organization Can Do
Protect your employees: provide shelter or masks and follow OSHA air quality guidelines (there is not an OSHA general standard at this time)
Donate: Relief programs and hospitals will need as many resources as possible for the repercussions of these fires.
Stay Informed & Share Information: Maintain awareness and keep as many people as possible up-to-date on current guidelines and conditions. Suggest to dig deeper and learn more about the causes and systemic impacts of climate change.
Provide Resources or Shelter: In areas that are impacted, shelter and resource needs are going to surpass the current capacity. (ex. food, water, medical supplies, indoor access)
Thank you for reading & for your interest in this pressing topic.
Online Resources
Quebec public safety release, What to Do Before, During, & After.
Red Cross Relief
https://www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/current-emergency-responses/2023-quebec-fires
Sources
New York Times : https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/us/smoke-maps-canada-fires.html
Washington Post - Free : https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2023/06/07/wildfire-smoke-health-impact-climate-change/
The Globe & Mail : https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-quebec-wildfires-shutdown-rio-tinto/
