Free educational talk on ‘Southern Oregon Wildfire Risk: The Climate Connection’ set Tuesday in Medford
By Sydney Seymour, Ashland.news
Southern Oregon Climate Action Now will host a free educational talk on how climate change impacts wildfires and ways Southern Oregon residents can take action from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, at Medford Public Library.
“We can’t talk about fire without talking about climate change,” Chris Adlam, Ph.D., southwest regional fire specialist with the Oregon State University Extension Service, said in a phone interview. “Wildfire is one of the most visible manifestations of climate change for a lot of people in our region.”
Adlam’s talk, entitled “Southern Oregon Wildfire Risk: The Climate Connection,” will discuss past wildfires in Southern Oregon to explain where the region stands today, and what it means going forward as fire seasons seem to worsen, Adlam said. He hopes to help listeners look at the facts, turning fears and anxiety associated with climate change — this “existential threat” — into “productive action.”
The deets
Wildfire and climate change educational talk, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, at Medford Public Library, 205 S. Central Ave., Medford
In addition to any questions from the public, he plans to answer: “Is everything we’ve seen because of climate change? Or are there other factors influencing wildfire trends? What can we possibly do to have an influence on climate change, such a seemingly threatening and unstoppable force?”
He continued, “There’s a lot that we can do. We’re not just powerless in the face of this global threat. With knowledge and good discussions in the community, we can definitely come up with ways people can feel engaged and understand what their part can be in improving the outcomes.”
For those unable to attend in-person, the event will be recorded and posted on the SOCAN website. Contact Alan Journet at alan@socan.eco for more information.
Email Ashland.news Snowden intern Sydney Seymour at sydneyseymourr@gmail.com.
