{"query_echo":{"q":"","filters":{"geography":["Western North America"]},"warnings":[{"code":"facet_value_not_in_vocabulary","message":"Value 'Western North America' for facet 'geography' is not in the controlled vocabulary."}]},"total":{"value":7,"relation":"eq"},"page":1,"page_size":20,"self":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/api/v1/search?geography=Western+North+America","stability":"beta","ai_marking":{"digital_source_type":{"uri":"http://cv.iptc.org/newscodes/digitalsourcetype/trainedAlgorithmicMedia","name":"Created using Generative AI"},"notice":"Summary and key insights are generated using artificial intelligence."},"results":[{"id":"ucs-000678","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/ucs-000678","title":"The Fossil Fuels behind Forest Fires in Arizona","publisher":{"name":"Union of Concerned Scientists","organization":"union-of-concerned-scientists"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"en","date_published":"2023-05","source_url":"https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/fossil-fuels-behind-forest-fires-AZ.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The Union of Concerned Scientists analysis finds that 48% of the rise in fire-danger conditions in western North America since 1901 and 37% of the cumulative burned forest area since 1986 are attributable to emissions from the 88 largest fossil fuel companies and cement manufacturers. In Arizona, over 10,000 wildfires burned nearly 2.5 million acres between 2017 and 2021, with the 2020 Bighorn Fire alone costing over $36 million. The document argues for holding these companies accountable and urges state governments to implement policies for forest health, community safety, and equitable resilience investments.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000678#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Emissions from the 88 largest fossil fuel companies and cement manufacturers are responsible for 48 percent of the increase in fire-danger conditions—measured by vapor pressure deficit (VPD)—in western North America since 1901.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000678#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Since 1986, 37 percent of the cumulative burned forest area in western North America is attributable to emissions from the top 88 carbon producers. Out of 53.0 million total acres burned in the region during this period, nearly 19.8 million acres are linked to these companies.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000678#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Arizona has faced significant wildfire impacts from 2017 to 2021, including more than 10,000 wildfires that destroyed over 300 buildings and burned nearly 2.5 million acres. The 2020 Bighorn Fire cost more than $36 million to fight.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000678#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The document recommends that state governments hold fossil fuel companies accountable by preserving court access for impacted communities, requiring full disclosure of climate risks, and pressuring companies to align business models with the Paris Agreement.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000678#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["wildfire","fossil fuel industry","carbon dioxide emissions","climate change","Paris Agreement","climate change litigation"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["attribution analysis","policy recommendation"]},{"id":"ucs-000679","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/ucs-000679","title":"The Fossil Fuels behind Forest Fires in California","publisher":{"name":"Union of Concerned Scientists","organization":"union-of-concerned-scientists"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"en","date_published":"2023-05","source_url":"https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/fossil-fuels-behind-forest-fires-CA.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document argues that major carbon producers are responsible for a significant portion of the increasing wildfire risk in western North America. It attributes 48% of the rise in fire-danger conditions since 1901 and 37% of the cumulative burned forest area since 1986 to emissions from 88 major fossil fuel and cement companies. In California, wildfires between 2017 and 2021 caused over $21 billion in economic damages and released an average of 53 million metric tons of CO2-equivalent annually. The report calls for corporate accountability, legal access to justice, and state-level policies to reduce emissions, improve forest health, and protect vulnerable communities.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000679#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Emissions from the 88 largest fossil fuel companies and cement manufacturers are responsible for 48% of the increase in fire-danger conditions (measured by vapor pressure deficit) in western North America since 1901.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000679#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Since 1986, 37% of the cumulative burned forest area in western North America—approximately 19.8 million of the 53.0 million total acres burned—is attributable to emissions from the 88 largest carbon producers.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000679#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Between 2017 and 2021, California experienced over 45,000 wildfires that destroyed more than 51,000 homes and businesses, claimed 186 lives, and burned over 9.5 million acres.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000679#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The economic impact of wildfires in California from 2017 to 2021 included over $21 billion in economic damages and more than $4 billion in emergency fire suppression costs.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000679#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Wildfires in California released an annual average of 53 million metric tons of CO2-equivalent between 2017 and 2021, with emissions in 2020 reaching 106.7 million metric tons.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000679#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Wildfires have severe public health and infrastructure consequences in California, including up to 3,000 indirect deaths linked to smoke exposure in 2020 and significant costs for dredging reservoirs impacted by sediment, such as a planned $190 million expenditure by Los Angeles County Public Works for reservoirs affected by the 2009 Station fire.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000679#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["wildfire","fossil fuel industry","carbon dioxide emissions","climate change","air quality","climate finance","Paris Agreement","greenwashing","climate change disinformation","building code"],"geography_discussed":["Central Valley","Montecito","Los Angeles County"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["attribution analysis","economic impact assessment"]},{"id":"ucs-000680","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/ucs-000680","title":"The Fossil Fuels behind Forest Fires in Colorado","publisher":{"name":"Union of Concerned Scientists","organization":"union-of-concerned-scientists"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"en","date_published":"2023-05","source_url":"https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/fossil-fuels-behind-forest-fires-CO.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The Union of Concerned Scientists analysis attributes 48 percent of the rise in fire-danger conditions in western North America since 1901 and 37 percent of the cumulative burned forest area since 1986 to emissions from the 88 largest fossil fuel and cement companies. In Colorado, over 5,000 wildfires burned more than 1 million acres between 2017 and 2021, including the record-breaking 2020 Cameron Peak Fire. The document argues that these companies should be held accountable for the costs of climate change and recommends that state governments implement policies to reduce human-ignited fires, increase forest health resources, and protect vulnerable communities.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000680#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Since 1901, 48 percent of the increase in fire-danger conditions—measured by vapor pressure deficit (VPD)—across western North America is attributable to carbon emissions from the 88 largest fossil fuel companies and cement manufacturers.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000680#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Of the 53.0 million acres of forested land that burned in western North America since 1986, nearly 19.8 million acres (37 percent) are attributable to emissions from the 88 largest carbon producers.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000680#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Colorado faced significant wildfire impacts from 2017 to 2021, with over 5,000 fires burning more than 1 million acres and destroying nearly 2,500 homes and businesses. The 2020 Cameron Peak Fire is noted as the largest fire on record in the state, burning over 200,000 acres.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000680#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The document recommends that state governments hold fossil fuel companies accountable by preserving court access for impacted communities, accounting for climate risks in investments, and pressuring companies to end greenwashing and align business models with the Paris Agreement.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000680#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["wildfire","fossil fuel industry","carbon dioxide emissions","climate change","Paris Agreement","climate change disinformation","greenwashing"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["attribution analysis","policy recommendation"]},{"id":"ucs-000681","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/ucs-000681","title":"The Fossil Fuels behind Forest Fires","publisher":{"name":"Union of Concerned Scientists","organization":"union-of-concerned-scientists"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2023-05","source_url":"https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/fossil-fuels-behind-forest-fires-full-report-2023_0.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The Union of Concerned Scientists finds that 37% of the cumulative burned forest area in western North America since 1986 is attributable to emissions from 88 of the world's largest carbon producers. The report links these emissions to a rise in vapor pressure deficit (VPD), which increases atmospheric 'thirst' and dries out vegetation, thereby amplifying wildfire risk. It argues that these corporations should be held legally and financially accountable for climate damages, including the costs of wildfire suppression and recovery.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000681#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Since 1986, approximately 19.8 million acres of burned forest area in western North America—representing 37% of the cumulative burned area—is attributable to heat-trapping emissions from 88 of the world's largest fossil fuel producers and cement manufacturers.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000681#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Emissions from the 'big 88' carbon producers contributed to nearly half of the observed increase in fire-danger conditions (vapor pressure deficit) across western North America since 1901, with observational data suggesting a contribution of 57% and climate models indicating 48%.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000681#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The emissions associated with the 88 major carbon producers are responsible for increasing the global average temperature by 0.5°C since the start of the 20th century, which is nearly half of the total observed warming during that period.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000681#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Wildfires in western North America are becoming more severe, burning larger areas at higher elevations and over longer seasons; for example, federal fire suppression costs in the US exceeded $4 billion in 2021 and more than doubled in Canada since 1985.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000681#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In California, wildfires between 2017 and 2021 resulted in 186 deaths, the destruction of over 51,000 structures, and damages exceeding $21 billion.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000681#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The report argues that fossil fuel companies should be held accountable for climate harms because they were aware of the negative effects of fossil fuels on the climate as early as 1965 but instead engaged in disinformation campaigns.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000681#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["fossil fuel industry","wildfire","carbon dioxide emissions","climate change","forest management","climate change disinformation","climate justice"],"geography_discussed":["California","World"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["attribution analysis","policy recommendation"]},{"id":"ucs-000683","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/ucs-000683","title":"The Fossil Fuels behind Forest Fires in Oregon","publisher":{"name":"Union of Concerned Scientists","organization":"union-of-concerned-scientists"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"en","date_published":"2023-05","source_url":"https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/fossil-fuels-behind-forest-fires-OR.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The Union of Concerned Scientists analysis attributes 48 percent of the rise in fire-danger conditions in western North America since 1901 and 37 percent of the cumulative burned forest area since 1986 to emissions from the 88 largest fossil fuel companies and cement manufacturers. In Oregon, over 10,000 wildfires burned nearly 3.7 million acres between 2017 and 2022, including the 2021 Bootleg Fire which burned more than 400,000 acres. The document argues that these companies should be held accountable for the costs of climate change and wildfire resilience, and recommends state-level policies to reduce human-ignited fires, improve forest health, and protect vulnerable communities.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000683#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Emissions from the 88 largest fossil fuel companies and cement manufacturers are responsible for 48 percent of the increase in fire-danger conditions in western North America since 1901.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000683#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Since 1986, 37 percent of the cumulative burned forest area in western North America is attributable to emissions from these 88 carbon producers, representing nearly 19.8 million acres of the 53.0 million total acres burned.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000683#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Oregon experienced significant wildfire damage from 2017 to 2022, with over 10,000 fires burning nearly 3.7 million acres and destroying more than 4,000 homes and businesses; the 2021 Bootleg Fire was the state's third-largest on record, burning over 400,000 acres.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000683#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The document recommends that state governments hold fossil fuel companies accountable by preserving court access for impacted communities, accounting for climate risks in investments, and pressuring companies to end greenwashing and align business models with the Paris Agreement.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000683#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["wildfire","fossil fuel industry","carbon dioxide emissions","climate change","climate finance","Paris Agreement","forest management","climate change disinformation","greenwashing"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["attribution analysis"]},{"id":"ucs-000684","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/ucs-000684","title":"The Fossil Fuels behind Forest Fires in Washington","publisher":{"name":"Union of Concerned Scientists","organization":"union-of-concerned-scientists"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"en","date_published":"2023-05","source_url":"https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/fossil-fuels-behind-forest-fires-WA.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The Union of Concerned Scientists analysis finds that 48% of the rise in fire-danger conditions in western North America since 1901 and 37% of the cumulative burned forest area since 1986 are attributable to emissions from the 88 largest fossil fuel companies and cement manufacturers. In Washington state, nearly 8,000 wildfires burned over 2.5 million acres between 2017 and 2022. The document argues for holding these companies accountable and urges state governments to implement resilience-building policies, including reducing human-ignited fires, improving forest health, and protecting vulnerable communities.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000684#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Emissions from the 88 largest fossil fuel companies (including Shell, BP, ExxonMobil, and Chevron) and cement manufacturers are responsible for 48 percent of the increase in fire-danger conditions—measured by vapor pressure deficit—in western North America since 1901.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000684#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Since 1986, 37 percent of the cumulative burned forest area in western North America is attributable to emissions from these 88 carbon producers. Out of 53.0 million total acres burned in the region during this period, nearly 19.8 million acres are linked to these emissions.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000684#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Washington state has faced severe wildfire impacts, with nearly 8,000 wildfires burning more than 2.5 million acres and destroying almost 1,000 businesses and homes between 2017 and 2022. A specific extreme event occurred in September 2020, where over 500,000 acres burned within 36 hours.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000684#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The document recommends that state governments hold fossil fuel companies accountable by preserving court access for impacted communities, pressuring companies to stop greenwashing and climate disinformation, and requiring business models aligned with the Paris Agreement.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000684#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"To build wildfire resilience, the report advises states to enact legislation for electric utilities to prevent infrastructure-sparked fires, increase funding for science-informed forest treatments and prescribed fire, and limit development in the wildland-urban interface.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000684#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["wildfire","fossil fuel industry","carbon dioxide emissions","climate change","Paris Agreement","forest management","climate change disinformation","greenwashing","climate justice"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["attribution analysis","policy recommendation"]},{"id":"iai-001615","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/iai-001615","title":"INFORMATION FLOWS AND POLICY USE OF CLIMATE DIAGNOSTICS AND CYCLONE PREDICTION FOR ADAPTIVE WATER-RESOURCES MANAGEMENT UNDER CLIMATIC UNCERTAINTY IN WESTERN NORTH AMERICA","publisher":{"name":"Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research","organization":"inter-american-institute-for-global-change-research"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"en","date_published":null,"source_url":"https://iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/uploads/2014/03/SGP-HD_5.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The project focuses on the intersection of human and natural systems in western North America, specifically addressing risks from weather extremes, water scarcity, and food security. It aims to strengthen adaptive management by promoting the exchange of climate information between scientists and policymakers, utilizing tools like the Binational Climate Summary and GIS analysis of tropical cyclones. Phase I findings indicate that while water managers are interested in seasonal forecasts, their utility is hindered by issues with spatial and temporal resolution and a lack of inter-agency cooperation. The document also notes that agriculture consumes 70% to 90% of the region's water and that population growth is increasing water and energy demands.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"iai-001615#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Urban and rural water managers show significant interest in seasonal climate forecasts, but the practical utility of these forecasts is limited by varying sectoral priorities and insufficient spatial and temporal resolution.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"iai-001615#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"There is a lack of cooperation and collaboration among agencies responsible for risk mitigation, and management priorities differ by sector, with urban areas focusing on short-term management and rural areas on long-term risk reduction.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"iai-001615#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Water and energy demands in the region are being driven upward by economic and population growth, while ecosystems are gaining importance in water management considerations.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"iai-001615#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Agriculture is the primary consumer of water in the region, accounting for 70% to 90% of its use.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"iai-001615#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["tropical cyclone","water scarcity","food security"],"geography_discussed":["Sonoran Desert"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy analysis","risk assessment"]}]}