‘This brings climate change closer to home’ - Goodlad’s wildfire comments spark lively debate on climate change
Shetland MSP Hannah Mary Goodlad watches as smoke billows from the Cairngorms. Hannah Mary Goodlad has said the tragedy of the wildfire currently causing chaos in the Cairngorms brought climate change “closer. . .
Shetland MSP Hannah Mary Goodlad watches as smoke billows from the Cairngorms. Hannah Mary Goodlad has said the tragedy of the wildfire currently causing chaos in the Cairngorms brought climate change “closer to home”. The Shetland MSP was visiting the national park last week when she posted a video on Facebook with the blaze in the background and thick smoke billowing into the skies. “The hillside and the mountains are on fire,” she said. “And it’s one of the most tragic sights to see. “This brings climate change so much closer to home. “This is not an abstract concept, it’s here, it’s happening, and Scotland needs to be ready and Scotland needs to respond. ”Ms Goodlad went on to thank all the firefighters and volunteer crews working to get the blaze under control. During the worst of the fires, people had to be evacuated from their homes, while as many as a hundred firefighters battled to contain the blaze, which started south of Nethy Bridge last Wednesday. “A heroic effort from all involved,” she added. However, her comments provoked a heated response, with many people questioning her claims about climate change. Several people laid the blame on land mismanagement, while others blamed careless campers for leaving their barbecue unsupervised. “Drop the climate change narrative here,” one comment read. While some people came to her defence, most comments disputed the climate change argument, sparking another response from Ms Goodlad. “As expected, the usual climate change ‘debate’ has naturally surfaced,” she said. “As a geologist, I trust the evidence. And I have worked with earth's history - the multi-billion year version of it. “The Vostok ice cores show that CO2 and temperature are linked, over glacial cycles driven by Milankovitch cycles - but those changes unfolded over thousands of years. “Today’s sharp rise in CO2 and rapid warming are occurring FAR faster and are driven by human emissions, not orbital cycles. ”Wildfires are classed as large, uncontrolled fires that are unplanned and unpredictable. They tend to be caused when a combination of low humidity and strong winds dries out the land. According to a study published by Forest Research, changing climate and longer periods of warm weather conditions contribute to wildfires. While the worst of the fire has been contained, a large blaze broke out at Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh on Sunday evening. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has extended wildfire warnings for the Central Highlands, Southern and Eastern Scotland; these will stay in force until Friday. First Minister John Swinney visited one of the areas of the Cairngorms most damaged by the ongoing wildfire today (Tuesday). Rural business organisation Scottish Land and Estates has welcomed Mr Swinney’s visit but called for a dedicated aerial firefighting unit for Scotland. Ross Ewing, director of moorland and strategic projects for the organisation, said the recent wildfire “underscores the urgent need for a bespoke aerial wildfire suppression capability” that can be deployed rapidly when needed. “Specialist helicopters were key to the response effort in the Cairngorms, but reports that a helicopter could not be sourced on day one of the fire are a cause for real concern. “It is vital that such resources are available rapidly at the point of need. ”Do you want to respond to this article? If so, clickhereto submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.