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Keystone Turbine Effect On Fires

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Keystone pipeline effect on Fires: Over the summer of 2015, the air quality has never been poorer. This poor air quality was due to one of the worst fire seasons in past memory. These fires that originated across the northwestern hemisphere, showed an increase length and danger of fire seasons for the United States. With climate change increasing the temperature of the country, the hot and dry season that comes with summer has been expanded. This lack of moisture and increase in temperature causes forests to become even more dry, and even more susceptible to fire. These dry forests in the summer are also aided by an increase in tree deaths cause by the death of trees from mountain pine beetle infestations in Montana. The increase in the beetles' …show more content…

These fires can also destroy homes and business in their paths of destruction that leads to the destruction of economic prosperity of citizens as well as the loss of jobs. The ash created by these fires can pollute water sources, leading to humans and other species having their source of clean water taken away from them. As seen this past summer, the fires also produce smoke that can travel with the wind for hundreds of miles across state borders. This smoke can be damaging to the health of citizens breathing it in and can even be life threatening to those who have respiratory issues. With the Keystone pipeline emphasizing an economy centered around the use of fossil fuels, Montanans and people across the United States should prepare for many more summers of unhealthy air and the destruction of land and homes. Effect of the Keystone Pipeline on Agriculture: One of most important contributors to Montana's economy is farmers and ranchers. With the effects of climate change apparent throughout the United States, how are the "28,000 farms and ranches across Montana"(montanafarmersunion.com) going to survive? With the average temperature …show more content…

These fires produce lots of smoke from the burned materials. This smoke, especially in high quantities, can be extremely damaging to a persons' health. People with such respiratory issues as asthma, are prone to asthma attacks that could lead to the possible hospitalization or death of the patient. People with respiratory diseases as well as the elderly, are susceptible to these harmful effects from this smoke. These people with respiratory illnesses are being robbed of their ability to go outside. In a state as beautiful as Montana, these citizens, and to some extent everyone, are being robbed of their ability to go outside and enjoy the natural activities that come with living in Montana. The Keystone pipeline also has a much more direct effect on public health as well. As previously mentioned, the Keystone pipeline has a chance of a spill occurring. This spill could lead to oil leaking into water sources that are heavily relied upon by humans. This polluted water could cause crops to be infected or malnourished from this water or a lack of clean water. Many citizens across the country rely on rivers and streams to purify and provide clean water for their communities. If these cleansing water sources are damaged by spills or pollutants from the pipeline, then communities will be without drinking water. Finally, the

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