Managing Rapid Responses to Forest Fires: A Life Saving Hack for Locals and the Environment

Abstract

Climate change as a reality in today’s world is evidenced in one of the most dangerous and rapidly damaging environmental disasters, forest fires caused by heat waves. Given the extreme importance of forest bodies to tackling climate change via the reduction of greenhouse gases, an increase in forest fires could eliminate efforts made to reverse climate change and pose a huge risk to humanity and the earth itself. This paper thus examines the causes and effects of forest fires to the environment and locals, focusing primarily on the role played by climate change in both cause and effect, and how this affects the achievement of sustainable development. This paper highlights sustainable methods of responding to forest fires, including emergency responses by the government, safety measures to be taken by individuals and the importance of volunteer firefighters in this regard. The paper also identifies the recurring barriers to rapid response in forest fire cases and makes recommendations as to the role of individuals and governments in sustainably managing this environmental problem. This paper concludes by stating that all pillars of sustainable development should be taken into account and respect for the lives and livelihood of locals and preservation of the environment should be the foremost consideration of the government when responding to forest fires in every location, notwithstanding that location’s economic viability.