California Wildfires

Wildfires in southern California’s Kern County have destroyed 25 homes, caused thousands of people to evacuate, and burned about 15,000 acres. Firefighters in the region have had their hands full dealing with spreading fires. As trees burn, they emit stored carbon dioxide. The CO2 along with ash and smoke, worsen air quality which leads to increased incidence of respiratory illnesses.

Source: CNN

Air Pollution

Los Angeles Times Columnist, Gary Polakovic, argues that while the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is truly atrocious, what’s worse is the air polluting emissions that humans release into the atmosphere every day. The state of California alone emits around 2,215 tons of hydrocarbons daily.

The Gulf spill sends about 8,820 tons into the air and, unlike California, there will be an end to it one day. Man-made emissions are a daily byproduct of a modern era and there is no end in sight. Poor air quality kills about 3,860 people per year in California.

Source: LA Times

Mekong River Dam

The Mekong River flows through Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. It’s also the home to many rare, endangered species that you won’t find anywhere else in the world, like the giant catfish that is roughly the size of a small car.

The World Wildlife Fund says that the 11 hydropower dams could destroy any migration and spawning of the giant fish, forcing them into early extinction. Go here to learn more about the fascinating giants of the Mekong. Watch Alexandra Cousteau’s feature on the Mekong here.

Source: World Wildlife Fund