While the world welcomed the year 2025 with parties, the city of Los Angeles (LA) in California, USA was fighting against wildfires. I read how people had to evacuate their homes to save their lives, leaving behind their precious belongings. The newspaper headlines were full of successful evacuation stories, sad experiences, and bittersweet reunions.

Later in the day, I wondered – What are forest fires? How did these forest fires start in the first place?

Los Angeles Wildfires

The newspaper reported the fires began on January 7 in Pacific Palisades, a neighborhood in Los Angeles (LA). Over a couple of weeks, the flames burst into different areas, burning roughly 57,000 acres of property and land. The fire engulfed more than 1,000 structures and over 200,000 people were evacuated to safer areas.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time the residents of California have witnessed such destructive wildfires. Since 2000, not a year has gone by without a fire starting in some part of the state. The reason is tied to the area’s unique climate pattern.

The climate of California ranges from mild to hot all year round, with no trace of humidity. The summers, stretching from May to October, are dry and hot; whereas the winter months are warm with occasional heavy rainfall. The Santa Ana winds, known for their high wind speeds, and pressure-heated air, sweep through the state in winter. These winds usually act like fuel to the fire-prone conditions of this region.

Climate scientists suggest climate change was the likely cause of the LA fires. The heavy rainfall followed by a severe drought period increased the risk of wildfires. Climate change led to the Santa Ana winds sweeping over the area more fiercely. These elements created an ideal atmosphere for wildfires to ignite and spread rapidly.

Climate Change: A Concerning Factor

Climate change relates to long-term shifts in regular weather and temperature trends of any particular region. Most of the reasons for climate change are human-driven such as:

1. Burning fossil fuels
2. Deforestation
3. Transportation
4. Manufacturing processes
5. Industrialized agriculture

These activities release greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere. The increasing concentration of these gases in our environment leads to global warming, rising sea levels, and extreme weather.

The Alarming Impact of Climate Change Across the Globe

The 34,000 square miles of glacial ice in Alaska is melting due to climate change and global warming. The effects of this are worrying – sea-level rise, loss of coastal towns, and disrupted ecosystems.

Africa is warming up at a slightly faster rate as compared to the rest of the world. The change in temperature has led to decreasing rainfall, prolonged droughts, and destructive cyclones, like the Tropical Cyclone Idai in 2019.

The Deadly Effects of Climate Change in India

Due to variations in India’s geographical features, we experience different weather conditions across the country. From the tropical coasts to the arid deserts and the cold alpine Himalayas, every region is experiencing the severe effects of climate change.

In 2023, Sikkim in India received twice its usual rainfall. It led to the bursting of the glacial South Lhonak Lake and the flooding of the Teesta River in the region. Left behind was widespread destruction – of submerged roads and bridges, damaged property and loss of life. According to the scientists, climate change was the main cause of this disaster.

Conclusion

We have been facing the threat of climate change and global warming for years. Recently, though, its effects are becoming more alarming and threatening, as in the LA fires.

It will take years of disciplined and dedicated efforts to see any change but we owe it to our planet Earth and future generations. Don’t we?

Additional Resources

Watch the Climate Change Series by Next Generation Science to learn more on this topic.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txVHPcp6b98)

Read how children can make a difference, too in Something Happened to Our Planet by Marianne Celano and Marietta Collins. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV8pjBfodzQ)

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