Smoke from Canadian wildfires returns to New York City

As if 2020 couldn’t get any more apocalyptic. Smoke from the wildfires raging in Canada has drifted all the way to New York City for the second time this summer. The smoke has caused a hazy sky that made New York’s sunset look as though it belonged on a postcard from Los Angeles.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the smoke has been traveling 2,000 miles from Canada to the eastern US. The fires in Canada have been burning for weeks, exacerbated by drought-like conditions and heatwaves. In New York, the smoke has only had a minor effect on air quality so far but it still serves as a reminder of the dangers and far-reaching effects of climate change-related events.

Wildfires of this scale are nothing new, but the frequency and reach of their smoke is a recent phenomenon. With the prevalence of climate change-related natural disasters on the rise, it’s not a stretch to imagine more cities experiencing smoke from far-off fires in the future. Essential to fighting the root cause of these disasters is reducing our carbon footprint and taking steps, both big and small, to ensure a sustainable future for the planet.

In summary, smoke from Canadian wildfires has reached as far as New York City, posing little effect on air quality but a striking visual for residents. While these events are not new, their frequency and reach underpins the increase in climate change-related disasters. Taking steps towards a more sustainable future should be an important task for us all.