Fires, droughts focus climate – but will we seize the moment?

By Patrick Mazza
Climate Solutions

Cross-posted from Grist.org

Flying over from Seattle to Boise Sunday for the Pacific Northwest Climate Science Conference, the pilot pointed to a bit of climate change out the window.

“Over to your left you can see plumes from the fires,” he announced over the intercom.  The sky was choking with smoke from Eastern Washington wildfires as it has been for weeks.

In Boise it was clear and sunny.  But the hotel shuttle driver noted this was the first time in days you could see the mountains above the town.  Boise too has been gasping on the wildfires.

The smoke came up again in a Monday conference welcome by Boise Mayor David Bieter.  It is heartening when the leader of the reddest state’s biggest city greets an auditorium full of climate scientists with an acknowledgement, “The work you do is of such importance to our community and policymakers in general . . . your work will help us understand what we might face in decades to come.”

Bieter said the climate issue has faded in recent times but smoky skies seem to be bringing it back. “If we didn’t have climate change on our minds, events have forced us to think about it again.”

Indeed, the summer with its record heat waves, sweeping wildfires and widespread drought have left visible imprints on the public mind.  There is a sense that denialism is finally in retreat, and that this is a moment of climate opportunity.

But moments pass.  Will we seize this one?