fedops 💙💛Jun 12, 2023
@withaveeay there are fires in Scotland as well?
Show threadSimon BrookeJun 12, 2023

@fedops @withaveeay It's pretty much inevitable; the ground is tinder dry. As someone who lives in a wood, I'm very much aware of the situation.

Temperature 24°C outside in the shade right now (before noon) at 55°N, 4°W - and forecast to be hotter this afternoon.

#ClimateDiary #ClimateEmergency

Show threadPauline von HellermannJun 12, 2023

@simon_brooke @fedops @withaveeay

Yes, inevitable given current conditions but also pretty shocking that there are #Wildfires in #Scotland in #June. You do worry that this might become “normal” all too soon, and that we forget how things used to be (always changing of course but still). #ShiftingBaselineSyndrome #ClimateDiary #Daviot

https://news.sky.com/story/daviot-firefighters-tackling-mile-long-wildfire-near-inverness-12900284

Daviot: Firefighters tackling 'mile long' wildfire near Inverness

Sky
Show threadSimon BrookeJun 12, 2023
@pvonhellermannn @fedops @withaveeay I think we have to assume this is normal right now. We're passing 1.5ºC, and given the arctic clathrates will now be melting, there's no going back.
Show threadfedops 💙💛Jun 12, 2023
@simon_brooke agree. This isn't a fluke, it's the new normal.
@pvonhellermannn @withaveeay
Show threadCuilfailJun 12, 2023
@fedops @simon_brooke @pvonhellermannn @withaveeay It's arguably the new take on the old normal. The climax habitat for large areas inc Daviot and Cannich is broadly Scots pine high forest. A fire climax ecosystem
Show threadSimon BrookeJun 12, 2023
@ISawTheWood @fedops @pvonhellermannn @withaveeay ish. I agree on Scots pine (and oak, in more favoured areas) high forest, but it's been for most of the past seven millenia Scots Pine rainforest. Fire will have happened, but large fires will have been infrequent because the forest will rarely have been dry.
Show threadCuilfailJun 12, 2023
@simon_brooke @fedops @pvonhellermannn @withaveeay Rainforest is a difficult term. I think we can agree that the frequency and severity of events is increasing; further, that human interaction is exacerbating the situation
Show threadSimon BrookeJun 12, 2023

@ISawTheWood @fedops @pvonhellermannn @withaveeay

Strong agree. And also, that planting monoculture exotic conifer plantations to farm '#CarbonOffsets' and other such fraudulent performative crap will not help matters.

Show threadCuilfail
@simon_brooke @fedops @pvonhellermannn @withaveeay Strong agree re Carbon 'market,' although politicians are promoting 'production forestry' for its undoubted benefits -substitute for C heavy building materials & imports... What's missing is the integrated land use policy with clear paths to environmentally based targets
Jun 12, 2023 at 1:17pmWeb
Show threadSimon BrookeJun 12, 2023
@ISawTheWood @fedops @pvonhellermannn @withaveeay We do need timber for structures, yes – but I'm sceptical of the benefit of fast-growing softwoods over more durable timbers. We cannot afford to build short-life structures, and we need to keep sequestered carbon out of cycle for as long as possible.
Show threadCuilfailJun 12, 2023
@simon_brooke @fedops @pvonhellermannn @withaveeay
Yes agree re C-sequestration, & the devil is in the design detail re spruce longevity, that and treatment.
Truth is we need the fast growing AND the more durable timbers, along with more resilient production AND 'natural' forests.
We don't have a remotely convincing strategy to achieve this
Show threadfedops 💙💛Jun 12, 2023
@simon_brooke also spruce is the wrong tree for drier areas. They got planted everywhere over here over the past 100+ years but they require more humidity than is present in many locations. Which weakens the trees and makes them less resistant against the beetles. The sprawling monoculture plantations are now massively dying off.
@ISawTheWood @pvonhellermannn @withaveeay
Show threadCuilfailJun 12, 2023
@fedops @simon_brooke @pvonhellermannn @withaveeay Right tree, right place, for the right reason; and then hope the holy trinity of plantation tree selection persists to rotation end!
We are ideally suited to Sitka spruce here in the wet West although an unusually dry spell is seeing Elatobium defoliating stressed trees.
On the plus side the weather is probably slowing down Phytophthora spread.
The Atlantic Oakwoods (or moist temperate rainforest if you prefer) look decidedly parched