OSCAR Newsletter | September 2020

We are living through challenging times. There are over 50 active wildfires in the West that have burned over 5 million acres. Entire towns have been destroyed and poor air quality has affected the lives of tens of millions of people. In order for our community to prioritize climate solutions, it is important to understand the relationship between climate change, wildfires, and those who are most affected by increased exposure to smoke.

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, here is what we know. First, wildfires are becoming more numerous, larger, and more damaging. Here in Colorado, six of the ten largest fires on record have been in the past decade, with the Pine Gulch fire setting a new record for acres burned.

Second, climate change is a major driver. According to research, climate change leads to increased temperatures, earlier snowmelt, and drier forests, which have resulted in a doubling of the number of acres burned since the 1980’s. Here in Boulder County, without climate action, we could experience nearly 40 days per year of temperatures over 90 degrees, compared to just two days per year historically.

Finally, communities of color and low-income families face the greatest risks from increased exposure to wildfire smoke. Here in Boulder County, Hispanic and Latinx individuals are already exposed to more air pollution, have more underlying health conditions, and are experiencing higher rates of COVID-19 than other populations. The worsened air quality from wildfire smoke compounds these other risk factors, driving home why we must center social justice at the core of our climate solutions.

Despite these concerning trends there are reasons to be hopeful. According to the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, 65% of Boulder County residents think fossil fuel companies are responsible for global warming damages. And 78% of your neighbors support regulating CO₂ as a pollutant. In our community, it’s clear that we care deeply about climate solutions, and here at OSCAR, we are doing everything in our power to realize our vision: a sustainable, just, and resilient community where all people and natural systems thrive. — Matt

Boulder County wins USDA funding

Longmont's Ollin Farms restores land using regenerative practices

The farm's conservation restoration initiative, Project 95, avoids monoculture and herbicides while designating land for pollinators and soil regeneration. Ollin Farms was an inaugural recipient of $40,000 from OSCAR's Sustainable Food and Agricultural Funding Program. Read more in the Longmont Times-Call.

Jack's Solar Garden pioneers agrovoltaics in Longmont

Now This profiled OSCAR partner and agrovoltaics trailblazer Jack's Solar Garden in a recent video. Jack's Solar Garden will use agrovoltaics — the co-development of the same area of land for both solar power and agriculture — to create enough electricity to power over 300 homes. Watch the video here.

Ozone reaches dangerous levels

Extraordinarily high levels of ground-level ozone were recorded in Boulder County this summer. The combination of hot temperatures, wildfire smoke, and air pollution created environmental conditions that threaten the health of Boulder County residents.