As Canadian forests burn out of control, clouds of hazardous smoke shift with the wind, affecting first Northeastern and then Midwestern parts of the United States. The #AirQuality varies, but the tiny particles that it contains pose serious health risks to the lungs, heart and even the brain.

Climate Change is making the weather unpredictable. Canadian trees, hit by an ice storm in April, lost branches which then provided ready tinder for fire. Drought made it worse. At least 17 million tons of CO2 have been released by the #Wildfires so far.

Paul Beckwith and Patrick Hogan explain why the air quality created by smoke is a serious problem, that is likely to affect more forests as the atmosphere continues to heat. As the smoke hit Washington DC, legislators had a taste of the effects of the climate crisis, something akin to what happened in the 1930s #Dustbowl. As grit came into their chamber, the legislature took action then. But will this event move the dial at all?

Hosted by Dale Walkonen
Edited by Michael Barba

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