1. Firefighters in California are in a desperate battle to defend giant sequoias
Like glaciers or coral reefs, it is another example where climate change threatens some of the most beautiful sights on our planet.
Thread 🧵
#Sequoia #wildfires #California #ClimateCrisis
Like glaciers or coral reefs, it is another example where climate change threatens some of the most beautiful sights on our planet.
Thread 🧵
#Sequoia #wildfires #California #ClimateCrisis
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2. The changing climate changes the planet, including some of the most beautiful sights that you may see in your lives.
From the magnificent glaciers in the mountains to the coral reefs in the oceans, we destroy the most iconic examples of nature.
theplanet.substack.com/p/firefighters…
2. The changing climate changes the planet, including some of the most beautiful sights that you may see in your lives.
From the magnificent glaciers in the mountains to the coral reefs in the oceans, we destroy the most iconic examples of nature.
theplanet.substack.com/p/firefighters…
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3. I remember how amazed I was in the 1990s when seeing some of these enormous trees in California.
Standing on the forest floor and looking up, they seemed to grow into infinity.
Thread🧵
#nature #forests #SequoiaNationalPark #California #hiking
3. I remember how amazed I was in the 1990s when seeing some of these enormous trees in California.
Standing on the forest floor and looking up, they seemed to grow into infinity.
Thread🧵
#nature #forests #SequoiaNationalPark #California #hiking
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4. And I remember my sadness when learning about the Castle Fire that killed some 10,000 giant sequoias last year.
That number means that the world lost some 10% to 14% of all giant sequoias across the tree's natural range in the Sierra Nevada in just one year.
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4. And I remember my sadness when learning about the Castle Fire that killed some 10,000 giant sequoias last year.
That number means that the world lost some 10% to 14% of all giant sequoias across the tree's natural range in the Sierra Nevada in just one year.
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5. Most of us make a mistake to treat these kinds of glacier-, coral-, or wildfire disasters that have the fingerprints of climate change all over them, as earthquakes: sad but unavoidable incidents.
Unfortunately, these events are not incidents; we could have avoided them.
5. Most of us make a mistake to treat these kinds of glacier-, coral-, or wildfire disasters that have the fingerprints of climate change all over them, as earthquakes: sad but unavoidable incidents.
Unfortunately, these events are not incidents; we could have avoided them.
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6. The structural change caused by the climate crisis, combined with the changes we made to the landscape that surrounds the trees, kills Sequoia's that can generally withstand forest fires.
theplanet.substack.com/p/firefighters…
6. The structural change caused by the climate crisis, combined with the changes we made to the landscape that surrounds the trees, kills Sequoia's that can generally withstand forest fires.
theplanet.substack.com/p/firefighters…
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7. Our planet is getting hotter, and wildfires will likely worsen since warmer temperatures and drier climates allow the fires to grow more quickly and intensely.
#environment #trees #climatechange #NationalParks #outdoors #sequoias #California
theplanet.substack.com/p/firefighters…
7. Our planet is getting hotter, and wildfires will likely worsen since warmer temperatures and drier climates allow the fires to grow more quickly and intensely.
#environment #trees #climatechange #NationalParks #outdoors #sequoias #California
theplanet.substack.com/p/firefighters…
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8. Sequoias have survived dramatic climate changes; the giant trees even survived the events that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.
But, the current speed of change and the scale of the catastrophic events pose a completely new challenge for the species' survival.
8. Sequoias have survived dramatic climate changes; the giant trees even survived the events that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.
But, the current speed of change and the scale of the catastrophic events pose a completely new challenge for the species' survival.
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9. Sequoias require periodic wildfires, sometimes caused by dry lightning, to clear competing vegetation.
Without fire, shade-loving species will crowd out young sequoia seedlings, and sequoia seeds will not germinate.
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9. Sequoias require periodic wildfires, sometimes caused by dry lightning, to clear competing vegetation.
Without fire, shade-loving species will crowd out young sequoia seedlings, and sequoia seeds will not germinate.
theplanet.substack.com/subscribe
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10. The sequoias are not equipped to deal with these human-made changes in climate and landscape: the intensity of this century's wildfires is extreme because of the combination of ample fuel in the form of dense vegetation, higher temperatures, and dryer air.
10. The sequoias are not equipped to deal with these human-made changes in climate and landscape: the intensity of this century's wildfires is extreme because of the combination of ample fuel in the form of dense vegetation, higher temperatures, and dryer air.
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11. On Monday, firefighters battling the major KNP Complex wildfire in Sequoia National Park reported that the General Sherman Tree is still standing.
#news #environment #biodiversity #fires 🧵
theplanet.substack.com/p/firefighters…
11. On Monday, firefighters battling the major KNP Complex wildfire in Sequoia National Park reported that the General Sherman Tree is still standing.
#news #environment #biodiversity #fires 🧵
theplanet.substack.com/p/firefighters…
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12. The 'General Sherman' is the world's most giant tree, measured by volume:
- it stands 275 feet (83 m) tall
- it is over 36 feet (11 m) in diameter at the base
- and is 2,500 years old.
#generalSherman #firefighters #record
theplanet.substack.com/p/firefighters…
12. The 'General Sherman' is the world's most giant tree, measured by volume:
- it stands 275 feet (83 m) tall
- it is over 36 feet (11 m) in diameter at the base
- and is 2,500 years old.
#generalSherman #firefighters #record
theplanet.substack.com/p/firefighters…
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13. Another wildfire, Windy Fire in Sequoia National Forest, is now threatening Long Meadow Grove, known for the Trail of Hundred Giants with 1,500-year-old sequoias. The fire did get into the top of at least one tree: fighting it is more complicated than on the forest floor.
13. Another wildfire, Windy Fire in Sequoia National Forest, is now threatening Long Meadow Grove, known for the Trail of Hundred Giants with 1,500-year-old sequoias. The fire did get into the top of at least one tree: fighting it is more complicated than on the forest floor.
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14. Two other groves in more remote areas, the Peyrone Grove and the Red Hill Grove, are entirely surrounded by wildfires.
theplanet.substack.com/p/firefighters…
14. Two other groves in more remote areas, the Peyrone Grove and the Red Hill Grove, are entirely surrounded by wildfires.
theplanet.substack.com/p/firefighters…
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15/15. If you made it this far, you may like to receive The Planet newsletter in your inbox.
Start your day by learning something about the environment, science, or wildlife. Enjoy nature photography, or read about the climate crisis.
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