Hi Friends,

Even as I launch this today ( my 80th Birthday ), I realize that there is yet so much to say and do. There is just no time to look back, no time to wonder,"Will anyone read these pages?"

With regards,
Hemen Parekh
27 June 2013

Now as I approach my 90th birthday ( 27 June 2023 ) , I invite you to visit my Digital Avatar ( www.hemenparekh.ai ) – and continue chatting with me , even when I am no more here physically

Sunday, 12 October 2025

When the Air Itself Becomes a Mirror: Wildfires and the Unraveling of Progress

When the Air Itself Becomes a Mirror: Wildfires and the Unraveling of Progress

When the Air Itself Becomes a Mirror: Wildfires and the Unraveling of Progress

It’s deeply troubling to see how the very air we breathe is becoming a grim indicator of our planet's deepening climate crisis. The recent studies highlighting how climate-driven wildfires are reversing pollution progress across North America truly hit home ["Climate-driven wildfires reversing pollution progress in N. America: study"](https://epic.uchicago.edu/news/climate-driven-wildfires-reversing-pollutio n-progress-in-n-america-study/). It's a stark reminder that our decades of effort towards cleaner air are being literally burnt away, leaving behind a smoky veil that impacts health and halts environmental gains. Reports like those in Time ["Climate-Fueled Wildfires Are Reversing Clean Air Progress"](https://epic.uchicago.edu/news/climate-fueled-wildfires-are-reversing-clean -air-progress/) and Bloomberg ["Canada’s 2023 Wildfires Pushed Air Pollution to Decade-Level Highs"](https://epic.uchicago.edu/news/canadas-2023-wildfires-pushed-air-pollution-to -decade-level-highs/) paint a picture that is hard to ignore.

The fine particulate matter, PM2.5, from these wildfires isn't just a nuisance; it's a significant health hazard, particularly for respiratory conditions like asthma. A recent cost-effectiveness study from British Columbia, Canada, explored government rebate programs for air cleaners as a preventative measure against asthma caused by wildfire smoke ["Cost-effectiveness of a government rebate program for air cleaners in preventing asthma and related adverse health outcomes"](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/396228903Cost-effectivenessofago vernmentrebateprogramforaircleanersinpreventingasthmaandrelatedadve rsehealth_outcomes). What struck me was the finding that while air cleaners could prevent hundreds of asthma exacerbations and emergency visits, a universal $150 rebate wasn't cost-effective for primary prevention. However, lower rebates, such as $50 province-wide or $100 in highly exposed regions, showed better value. This indicates that even in mitigation, the economic realities demand a nuanced approach, targeting interventions where they offer the most tangible benefit. It also implicitly points to the unequal access to such indoor air quality solutions, an issue that often plagues environmental health initiatives.

Beyond the Smoke: The Larger Land Equation

Yet, focusing solely on air purifiers feels like treating a symptom while ignoring the underlying disease. These wildfires are not isolated incidents; they are manifestations of a deeper imbalance in how we manage our land. The WWF report, "From Roots to Riches," provides a critical perspective on grasslands and savannas, highlighting their immense value as carbon stores, biodiversity hotspots, and cultural anchors ["From Roots to Riches: Priority policy and investment decisions for grasslands and savannahs"](https://wwfint.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwf-roots-to-riches---priority-pol icy-and-.pdf). It describes the pervasive threats: conversion for agriculture, urbanization, and even well-intentioned but misguided afforestation efforts.

This is where my thoughts often return to themes I've explored before. The report notes how indiscriminate afforestation can actually destroy vital underground carbon stocks in grasslands and disrupt their natural ecological balance. It also emphasizes the crucial role of traditional Indigenous burning practices in maintaining grasslands and preventing extreme fires, contrasting this with the increased risk when these practices are suppressed. This brings to mind my earlier reflections on land management and ecological solutions.

Years ago, I wrote about the potential to restore degraded land, drawing inspiration from innovations like regenerative agriculture. This holistic approach, which prioritizes soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience, offers a powerful alternative to practices that exacerbate climate vulnerability. By integrating strategies such as cover cropping, reduced tillage, diverse crop rotations, and managed grazing, regenerative agriculture not only sequesters carbon but also enhances water retention, reduces erosion, and fosters healthier ecosystems less prone to extreme events like wildfires. It's about working with nature, rather than against it, to create a sustainable future where both human communities and natural landscapes can thrive.


Regards, [Hemen Parekh] Any questions? Feel free to ask my Virtual Avatar at hemenparekh.ai

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