Second of all, the problem is even worse than “simple” climate change.
You see, Portugal has a big problem, and that problem is called the eucalyptus trees. They were brought over to the country because they grow fast and are in very high demand for the paper industries. There are even genetically modified eucalyptus trees to make this or that sort of paper in the country. Now, this all sounds fine and dandy, right? Poor country managing to get some trees that will boost the economy because everyone apparently loves our toilet paper and what not. BUT, it’s not so simple.
Because to plant eucalyptus trees, you need to have a place to put them, and the best place to put them is where other trees already were.
Suddenly, native forests started dwindling down and these massive eucalyptus plantations started popping up across the country, and the more the word got around that yes, these were magic money-maker trees, the worse it got. Everyone needs some cash at the end of the day, especially when there’s an economic crisis going.
But what they failed to remember was that these trees are not native to Portugal, and that non-native plants ALWAYS bring problems. The eucalyptus is full of them:
a) the bark is not as “anti-fire” as ye old oak’s, and that’s not a coincidence. The eucalyptus seeds pop open when there’s a lot of heat, and I mean, A LOT. Like a fire. So ofc that when a fire rages, the trees go all fire-happy and burn all over the place. It’s the best way for the seedlings to come to life.
b) their roots are long and they suck every bit of water they can. Portugal is undergoing a severe drought. When the eucalyptus sucks all available water, no other plants thrive, they just shrivel up and die. Nothing but more fuel for the fires.
And because the eucalyptus sucks away every bit of water, no oaks or other native trees manage to thrive. Trees that could withhold the fire for long enough for the firefighters to arrive and put it down before the fire spread all over.
You’d think that people would realise it, but they don’t. This summer, thousands of acres of forest will burn up to crisps. Hundreds of people will lose their home. Thousands of animals will die - either burnt or through habitat loss. Dozens of firefighters and other civilians will die. This summer, we will ask the EU for aid. If it’s like last year, they’ll begrudgingly send us a couple of planes. But hopefully not. Hopefully these 62 deaths reminded them there are more countries in the EU that need help. We shall see. Regardless, this summer the whole country will breathe ash and smoke.
And do you know what will happen once winter starts creeping in? The paper industries will go to the farmers who lost their trees and ask for the land for a few pennies. The farmers will take those pennies, for how can a dead piece of land be worth anything more? The paper industries will plant more eucalyptus trees - unless, of course, the building industries get there first and build up in a place that used to be a natural park. People will stop talking about it. And everything will happen again the following year.
It’ll be worse. It’ll be much worse. Because with climate change, it can never get any better.
So, please, if you know of anyone who owns land in Portugal, persuade them not to plant eucalyptus trees. Yes, it’s of the greatest importance to help those in need right now, but it’s also vital to stop this epidemic before even more lives are lost.
And if you happen to know anyone who works in the EU commission, persuade them to help us fight the fires. We’ll need help the whole of the summer, not just now.
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