S1 E4: Each week seems to bring news of another catastrophic weather event, from hurricanes to flash floods. It’s clear that these events -- that many communities have been facing for years -- are now intensifying and playing out all over the world. 

Christina wakes up to the aftermath of one such event: the 2021 Bootleg wildfire.

The massive West Coast wildfire spewed unhealthy amounts of smoke across the country, reaching her all the way in New York. Christina asks a tough question: are these extreme weather events the new normal? And can she do anything about it?

These questions lead her to a recent study from climate researchers Tom Corringham and Rosana Aguilera. They found some troubling evidence about the effects of wildfire smoke on human health, and they join Christina to share their takeaways. The question becomes, what can we do today to prevent devastating wildfires? 

Christina revisits climate justice, a concept introduced in our last episode. According to a climate justice approach, the people most affected by climate events likely have the knowledge to develop solutions in their communities. Christina gets in touch with Jade Begay, the Climate Justice Campaign Director for NDN Collective, to learn more about climate justice, and how Indigenous groups are uniquely poised to lead the way on climate.

With Jade’s insight in mind, Christina talks with someone who is on the frontlines of these wildfires, and who is actively leading solutions. Bill Tripp is the Director of Natural Resources for the Karuk Tribe in Northern California, and he explains the history and importance of cultural fire use; a promising and proven practice.

Highlights:

• The impacts of wildfire smoke on human health (3:11)
• Climate justice, and why Indigenous communities are already equipped to lead solutions (10:53)
• The Karuk Tribe’s approach and relationship to nature (11:48)
• What is cultural burning? And how could it change the severity of wildfire events? (14:20)
• What you can do to help preserve traditional Karuk ecological knowledge (24:53)

Terminology:

• Extreme Weather Event
• PM 2.5/Fine Particulate Matter
• Cultural burning/Prescribed burning
• Indigenous/Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Resources:

• Donate to the Karuk Tribe’s Endowment Fund
• WECLIMA
• Study Finds Wildfire Smoke More Harmful To Humans Than Pollution From Cars (NPR)
• NDN Collective
• Karuk Tribe’s Department of Natural Resources
• Western Klamath Restoration Partnership
• Ask your elected officials to act on climate change
• How Indigenous Groups are Leading the Way on Conservation
• Why Prescribed Burns are Essential for Forest Health