Fires

When a news story can be shaped and/or exaggerated to support a prevailing narrative, the trained hamsters in the mainstream media will do so. Context? Not a chance. Accuracy? Are you kidding me? Balance? Nope. That's what is happening with widespread reports that the Brazilian rain forests are burning to the ground and as a consequence, the planet itself is at risk.

To be sure, there are fires in the Amazon region, but scientific data collected from satellite imagery indicates that the fires are no more severe than in past years. In fact, even the New York Times has had to admit that "most" of the fires are not in the rain forests themselbves but on agricultural land (farmers clear the land by setting it afire to prepare for the next planting). But that hasn't stopped the media from reporting that these fires are a calamity at a planetary level.

In any event, climate scientist, Jesse Ferrell of Accuweather blows up the notion that the planet is in peril by delineating scientifically supported sets of data that conflict with current inaccurate and hyperbolic reporting on the fires. He supports his argument with copious scientific data when he writes:

Thousands of fires are continually burning across the Earth every day of every year, and they always have ...

Yes, there are a lot of fires in South America, some of them in the Amazon rain forests, but how unusual is that? Unfortunately, it's not unusual at all ...

Wildfires aren't necessarily bad. I know, this sounds like a cut and paste excuse from environmentalist haters, but it's true. Even Smokey the Bear admits: "Fire can also be an important part of maintaining diverse and healthy ecosystems. This can trigger a rebirth of forests, helping to maintain native plant species." That said, he still doesn't want you starting them, because they could hurt people or property.

There's no [scientific] proof that more of Brazil has burned than in past years.

The bottom line is that fires are a problem (and an indirect benefit)—always have been, always will be. They have been part of the planet since before humans existed. Thay can be dangerous and distructive, but the fires in Brazil aren't unusual, nor are they a threat to the planet.

The real issue is inaccurate news coverage designed to promote a specific agenda. It's misleading and dishonest and has a 'Chicken Little' element that does a disservice to those who want to emphasize real threats and concerns.