Most wildfires in Canada happen in British Columbia and Alberta, including the wildfire that ravaged Jasper in July last year.
Time and time again, the people of our province have had to brave the hardships of wildfires, including losing our homes, loved ones, pets, and more.
As the global temperature continues to rise, wildfires are becoming longer and more intense. Alberta has experienced this phenomenon firsthand, and now Los Angeles (LA) in California, United States, is, too.
For much of the United States West, an average annual one-degree Celsius temperature increase would cause the median burned area per year to grow by as much as 600 percent in some forests.
The LA wildfire makes this truth painfully clear. The blaze has destroyed over 12,300 structures, prompting evacuation orders for more than 180,000 residents. At least 24 people have been killed.
“While fires are common and natural in this region, California has seen some of the most significant increases in the length and extremity of the fire weather season globally in recent decades, driven largely by climate change,” Professor Stefan Doerr, Director of the Centre for Wildfire Research, at Swansea University, told BBC.
Climate change isn’t the only factor contributing to the LA wildfire. High winds and insufficient water supply are also part of the problem. While our neighbours suffer, our province is not idle.
On Monday, the Alberta government announced that 40 wildland firefighters were headed to California to help combat the LA wildfire.
“Good neighbours are always there for each other. In 2023 California firefighters bravely supported Alberta in a time of great need. Now Alberta is answering the call and stepping up to support our friends and partners in the United States,” said Forestry Minister Todd Loewen.
Alberta is also preparing water bombers, pilots, and contracted high-vision helicopters to provide additional support if needed.
The Rise of Cynicism
Having endured countless wildfires, Albertans can empathize with Californians and are willing to extend a helping hand without hesitation.
On social media, many people, including celebrities, are raising money to support survivors of the LA wildfire.
Beyonce donated $2.5 million to the LA Fire Relief Fund. Paris Hilton donated $800,000 through her own non-profit, 11:11 Media Impact. However, not every response to the LA wildfire has been positive.
A closer look at social media shows the “eat the rich” mentality held by Gen Z and Millennials. Five days ago, Hilton posted a video showing her home in Malibu that was destroyed by the wildfire.
“This house wasn’t just a place to live — It was where we dreamed, laughed, and created the most beautiful memories as a family,” wrote Hilton in her Instagram post.
While most responses were positive and supportive, some commenters wrote things like “Now imagine not being able to just buy another house” and “She can afford another home, no big whoop.”
Even if these claims are true, it doesn’t take away from the fact that countless memories were destroyed along with the house. Being wealthy does not mean you are incapable of suffering.
On the other hand, people need to understand why the younger generations are so cynical. On social media, negative headlines are a dime a dozen because more people click on them.
A 2023 study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that each additional negative word in a headline increased the click-through rate of a news story by 2.3 percent.
Gen Z spends the most time online, averaging over six hours a day on their phone. After reading negative headlines after negative headlines, young people have become desensitized to tragedy.
When young people aren’t online, they are worried about not being able to afford a house, start a family, or pay off their student debts. Let’s not forget about the ever-looming climate crisis.
Does it justify spreading negativity online? No, but it raises a question: If our young people feel hopeless about the future, then what lies ahead?
