This week we're exploring the topic of wildfires. As immense wildfires currently blaze across huge areas of Australia and both California and Siberia have also experienced vast fires in recent years, we look at the causes of wildfires, the impact they can have on biodiversity and the natural environment, how fires fit into nature's usual cycles and the role that climate change is having on the increased frequency and severity of wildfires.
We also speak to Professor Stefan Doerr from the University of Swansea about understanding how climatic conditions have influenced the severity of the fires, and the best ways to handle living in fire-prone natural environments.
Some of the things we've spoken about:
8 things everyone should know about Australia’s wildfire disaster: https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2020/1/8/21055228/australia-fires-map-animals-koalas-wildlife-smoke-donate
Australia Wildfires: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/01/world/australia/fires.html
How wildfires work: https://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/natural-disasters/wildfire3.htm
Biodiversity at risk in Australia: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/04/ecologists-warn-silent-death-australia-bushfires-endangered-species-extinction
Australia Wildfires: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/01/australia/australia-fires-explainer-intl-hnk-scli/index.html
California wildfires: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/04/us/fires-california.html
California wildfire causes: https://www.wired.com/story/californias-wildfires-are-the-doom-of-our-own-making/
Prof Stefan Doerr:https://www.swansea.ac.uk/staff/science/geography/s.doerr/
Donate to the Australian Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org.au/campaigns/disaster-relief-and-recovery-donate
Registered Bushfire Charities: https://www.pmc.gov.au/registered-bushfire-charities
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Wonderful theme music by Mark Skinner Sound
84: Air Pollution (Psst. We’re on a break!)
83: Forget Me Not, with author Sophie Pavelle
82. Sam Gandy on Nature Connection, plus Psychedelics and Beavers?
81: BOGS! (Again) Celebrating natural carbon sequestration for #WorldBogDay
80: Eco-Anxiety. What is it, and how can we deal with it?
79: Antarctica. Can we protect it, or survive without it? With Ryan Dalton
78: Sports! Can we make them more sustainable?
77: Save the Seagrass, Save Ourselves?
76: Concrete: Cutting Construction’s Carbon Footprint with Adam Gittins
75: Bats! Why Bats Are Important And How To Save Them
74: Saving Fish and Top Pond Tips, With Wildlife Cameraman Jack Perks
73: Nina Constable on Fish Passes, Filmmaking and Families
72: Steve Simpson on Coral Reefs, Global Change, Eco Grief and Hope
71: Botanist Leif Bersweden on Plants & Climate Change
70: Rewilding and Reptiles, with Harvey Tweats
69: Conservation in Africa and life in the bush, with Rosie Miles
68: Birds of Prey! With Tom Morath from Hawk Conservancy Trust
67: Ho, ho, how to have a sustainable Christmas! (Again)
66: Australia on fire: BURNING with Emmy and Oscar Award-Winning Filmmaker Eva Orner
65: Cambo: Oil, Gas and Cheesy Bottom Sponges
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