Welcome back to Meteorology Matters, everyone.
I'm Rob Jones, and I'm really excited for today's show
because we're gonna be diving into something
that I think is super fascinating.
Okay.
It all started with this executive order about logging.
You know, the one that President Trump just signed.
Oh yeah, the one that's got everyone talking.
Right, exactly.
On the surface, it seems like, you know,
just another political thing.
But the thing is, it could actually end up having
some really big impacts on our weather.
You know what, that's what I love about meteorology.
Yeah.
Like, it's all connected, right?
You think you're just looking at trees,
but then bam, it's affecting rainfall patterns
and temperatures and everything.
Makes sense, so for all of you listening out there,
buckle up because we're about to uncover
how this executive order could actually change
the weather we experience.
Yeah.
And trust me, this is something that affects all of us.
Absolutely.
So first things first, let's break down exactly
what this executive order says.
You know what it actually does.
Okay, sounds good.
So President Trump signed it on March 1st, 2025.
And the big goal is to increase timber production
on federal lands.
Okay.
Now that means the land managed by the US Forest Service
and the Bureau of Land Management.
Gotcha.
So basically they want to get more wood from those areas.
Right, and not just more wood.
They want it faster and in bigger quantities.
And to do that, they're basically saying that
those agencies might have to find ways to kind of...
Sites up.
Sites up some environmental regulations.
Interesting, and which regulations
are we talking about here?
Well, the executive order specifically mentions
two big ones, the Endangered Species Act
and the National Environmental Policy Act,
or NEPA for short.
Ah, yeah.
Those are pretty important
when it comes to protecting the environment.
Right, they're not messing around.
So let's start with the Endangered Species Act.
What does that one actually do?
Well, like the name suggests it protects species
that are in danger of going extinct,
you know, disappearing forever.
Okay, makes sense.
And this executive order,
it actually instructs the Fish and Wildlife Service
to streamline the approval process for forestry projects.
You know, the ones that might have been held up
because of concerns about endangered species.
So basically they're saying,
hey, let's speed things up,
even if it means putting some species at risk.
Yeah, that's kind of the gist of it,
and it's definitely causing some controversy.
I bet, and then there's NEPA.
What's that all about?
NEPA is all about making sure the government
thinks about the environment before they do anything major,
you know, like building a highway,
or in this case, logging a bunch of trees.
So like an environmental impact assessment.
Exactly, they have to consider things like air
and water, quality, wildlife, habitat,
all that good stuff.
Makes sense.
But this executive order wants to exempt
certain logging activities from NEPA review.
Oh really?
And which activities are we talking about?
Pimber thinning and timber salvage activities.
Hmm, timber salvage activities.
Now those usually happen after something like a wildfire
or an insect outbreak, right?
Yeah, where they go in and remove the damaged trees.
Exactly, but the executive order wants to exempt
those activities from NEPA review,
which, you know, even if the trees are damaged,
removing them can still have a big impact on the ecosystem.
Like erosion and flooding.
Exactly, it's all connected.
And it seems like they're really trying
to remove any roadblocks to speed up this logging thing.
Yeah, I'm sensing a theme here.
And speaking of roadblocks,
they also mentioned something called the God Squad
in the executive order.
The God Squad.
What is that, some kind of superhero team for trees?
Ha ha, not quite.
It's actually the official name
is the Endangered Species Committee.
Okay.
And they have the power to basically say,
yeah, we know this project might harm Endangered Species,
but we're gonna let it happen anyway.
Wow, so they can override the Endangered Species Act?
Exactly.
And the executive order specifically says
they wanna use this committee to get around any issues
the Endangered Species Act might cause for logging.
Hmm, that's pretty powerful.
And I'm sure it's not sitting well with a lot of people.
Yeah, it's definitely a controversial move.
So we've got this executive order
that's aiming to boost logging potentially
at the expense of Endangered Species
and environmental regulations.
But now let's bring it back to the weather.
Okay, let's do it.
How does cutting down all these trees,
especially on a large scale,
how does that impact weather patterns and our climate?
Well, that's where things get really interesting
from a meteorological standpoint.
You know, trees, they're like giant air filters.
They suck up carbon dioxide,
which is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
So when we cut down trees,
all that carbon dioxide gets released back
into the atmosphere.
So more logging means more carbon dioxide
and more carbon dioxide means...
A warmer planet.
Right, so we've talked about before.
It's like wrapping the earth in an extra blanket.
Exactly, and deforestation doesn't just affect
global temperatures, it can also mess with things
like rainfall patterns.
Oh, really? How so?
Well, trees, they help regulate the water cycle.
You know, they absorb water
and then release it back into the atmosphere,
which helps form clouds and rain.
Cutting down trees disrupts that whole cycle.
So less rain?
Potentially, yeah.
Some areas might end up with less rain and even droughts.
Yikes.
Didn't the executive order talk about reducing wildfire risk
as a reason for increasing logging?
Yeah, that was one of their arguments.
But is there actually any truth to that claim?
It's complicated.
Removing some trees, especially dead or dying ones,
can definitely reduce the amount of fuel available
for a wildfire to spread.
But if logging is done too aggressively,
like clear cutting, where they remove
pretty much all the trees,
it can actually make things worse.
Oh, wow, how so?
Well, trees provide shade, right,
that keeps the forest floor cool and moist
when you remove those trees.
The ground dries out,
making it way more susceptible to fire.
So it's not just a simple more logging
equals fewer wildfires?
Nope, it really depends on how and where it's done.
And we have to think about the long-term consequences too,
right? Absolutely.
We can't just focus on the short-term gains.
We need to consider how these changes
could affect everything,
from local temperatures to soil erosion to water quality.
It's all connected.
Okay, so we've laid out how this executive order aims
to boost logging and some of the potential
environmental impacts.
But as with most things,
there are different viewpoints on this issue, right?
Oh yeah, definitely.
People have some strong opinions about this one.
Welcome back to meteorology matters.
Before we went to break,
we were talking about how trees are like
these natural air filters,
pulling carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
Right, and we all know that carbon dioxide
is a big deal when it comes to climate change.
Huge.
Can you break it down for us?
How does more CO2 in the atmosphere
actually lead to changes in weather patterns?
You got, so think of carbon dioxide,
like this heat-trapping gas, right?
Okay.
And as we release more and more of it into the atmosphere,
it's like we're adding another layer to that blanket
we were talking about earlier,
the one wrapped around Earth.
And that extra layer,
it traps more of the sun's heat
and that gradually warms the planet.
So it's not just about the planet
getting a little bit warmer overall.
It's about how that warming affects our weather systems.
Exactly, it throws things out of whack, you know?
Like take rainfall, for example.
Warmer temperatures can lead to changes
in precipitation patterns.
Oh, really?
Yeah, some areas might see more intense rainfall
and flooding,
while others might actually get less rain leading to droughts.
Wow, so less rain in some places, more in others.
What else might we see happening weather-wise
because of this?
Well, we also have to talk about extreme weather events,
you know, things like hurricanes, heat waves,
and even those really bad winter storms.
As the planet warms these events,
they have the potential to become more frequent
and more intense.
So a warmer world, more extreme weather.
Not a good combination.
Not ideal.
You mentioned rainfall patterns earlier
and how trees are an important part of the water cycle.
Right.
Did you expand on that a bit?
Like how does deforestation actually change how rain falls?
Okay, so trees, they play this really vital role
in the water cycle.
It's a process called transpiration,
where they absorb water from the soil
and then release it into the atmosphere as water vapor.
And that water vapor eventually forms clouds
and then of course comes back down as rain.
It's like a big, beautiful cycle.
It is, it's amazing,
but when we remove trees from the equation,
we mess up that whole cycle.
So fewer trees mean less water going into the atmosphere.
Exactly, which can lead to less rain in certain areas.
Got it.
And what about the soil?
Does deforestation affect that too?
Oh yeah, big time.
Without the roots of trees to hold the soil in place,
deforestation can increase the risk of soil erosion.
I see, so when it rains,
all that water can just wash away the soil.
Especially on hillsides and slopes.
Yeah, that makes sense.
Okay.
And where does all that soil go?
It often ends up in rivers and streams,
which pollutes them and harms aquatic life.
It's like a domino effect.
It really is.
We've talked about global temperatures and rainfall,
but what about local temperatures?
Does deforestation have a direct impact
on how hot or cold it gets in a specific area?
Absolutely.
Think about how much cooler it feels
to stand under a tree on a hot day, right?
Oh yeah, for sure.
Trees are like these giant umbrellas
providing shade and cooling things down.
But when forests are cleared,
that shade disappears and the land absorbs
more of the sun's heat.
So it gets hotter?
Way hotter.
It creates these like hot spots,
almost like little microclimates
where the temperature is noticeably warmer
than in surrounding areas.
So deforestation is basically making things even hotter
on top of global warming.
Sadly, yes.
Okay, so warmer temperatures,
changes in rainfall patterns, more intense storms.
This isn't painting a very pretty picture.
It is concerning, but I think it's important to remember
that we're not totally powerless in this situation.
That's good to hear.
There are things we can do,
both individually and collectively,
to help mitigate these impacts.
Like what can people do?
Well, first and foremost,
we need to support sustainable forestry practices.
You know, choosing wood products
that are certified by organizations
like the Forest Stewardship Council.
So looking for those labels
that tell you the wood was harvested responsibly.
Exactly, and planting trees is always a great idea.
Organizations like the Arbor Day Foundation
make it super easy to plant trees
in areas that need the most.
I love that.
And what about on a bigger scale?
Well, advocating for policies that protect our forests
and promote reforestation efforts
can make a huge difference.
This is all really helpful information.
I'll be sure to include links to those organizations
you mentioned in our show notes
so our listeners can find out how to get involved.
Awesome, yeah, because this isn't just about saving trees.
You know, it's about safeguarding our planet's health
and ensuring a livable future for generations to come.
Well said.
So we've talked a lot about the negative impacts of logging.
Are there any potential upsides
when it comes to weather patterns?
There can be, but they're very specific
and they require careful planning and execution.
For example, in some areas where forests
have become super dense, you know,
because of fire suppression,
thinning out some of the trees
can actually make the forest healthier
and more resilient to wildfires.
That makes sense.
If the trees are too close together,
a fire can spread like crazy.
Exactly. By selectively removing some trees,
you can reduce the risk of those huge out-of-control wildfires
that we've been seeing more and more of lately.
So it's not a simple all logging is bad situation?
Nope, it all comes down to how it's done.
It's about finding that balance.
Exactly, finding that sweet spot
between using our natural resources
and protecting the environment.
We've covered a lot of ground here
from the basics of the water cycle
to the potential for more extreme weather events.
But this issue also has a big political dimension, right?
Definitely.
There are strong opinions on both sides
and those opinions are often driven
by economic interests, environmental concerns,
and let's be honest, sometimes even ideology.
It's a complex issue for sure.
Welcome back to Meteorology Matters.
You know, we've been spending this episode
talking about this new executive order
that could really ramp up logging on federal lands.
Right, and how that could affect our weather patterns.
Exactly, but as with most things,
there's always more than one side to the story, right?
Definitely.
So let's hear from both sides.
Let's start with the folks who are all for increased logging.
What are their main points?
Well, a lot of them talk about the economic benefits,
especially for rural communities
where timber is a big industry, you know?
Yeah, makes sense.
Logging creates jobs not just in the forest,
but also in sawmills and all those businesses
that rely on wood.
Right, it's a whole chain.
And they argue that having more timber available
could help lower the cost of building materials,
which would be good news for the housing market.
Okay, so jobs and the economy,
and we talked earlier about how some folks believe
that logging can actually be good for forests in the long run.
That's right, they're all about
what they call active forest management.
Okay, what does that mean exactly?
Well, it involves things like thinning out overcrowded forests,
removing dead trees and branches,
and even using controlled burns
to reduce the risk of wildfires.
So they're saying that a little bit of intervention
can prevent bigger problems down the road.
Exactly, they argue that these practices
can make forests more resilient
and less likely to experience
those catastrophic mega fires we've been seeing.
Interesting, okay, so that's one side of the argument.
Now, what about the folks who are against increased logging?
What are their concerns?
Well, their biggest worry is deforestation,
especially if it's done on a large scale
or without proper oversight, you know?
Yeah, that makes sense.
They're especially concerned about clear cutting,
where they remove pretty much all the trees
in an area.
They say that can be really devastating to ecosystems
destroying wildlife habitat,
increasing soil erosion, and polluting water sources.
And I'm guessing they're not too happy
about the potential impact on climate change either.
You got it, they argue that we need to be protecting
our forests and not cutting them down
if we're serious about tackling climate change.
Right, because trees are like these giant carbon sponges.
Exactly, they absorb and store huge amounts
of carbon dioxide that would otherwise
be contributing to global warming.
So cutting them down basically releases
all that carbon back into the atmosphere.
It's like undoing all that hard work.
So we've got some pretty compelling points on both sides.
It seems like a classic clash between economic interests
and environmental concerns.
Is there any common ground here
or are these two sides just totally at odds?
You know, I think it's important to remember
that this is a complex issue.
There isn't always a simple right or wrong answer.
There are definitely situations
where logging can be done responsibly.
You know, using sustainable practices
that minimize the environmental impact.
But there are also cases where protecting forests
from logging is absolutely essential,
especially when it comes to things
like preserving biodiversity, protecting endangered species,
and safeguarding those vital water resources.
So it sounds like the key is finding that balance.
Exactly, a little give and take from both sides
might be the best way forward.
It's about understanding that one size doesn't fit all
when it comes to forest management.
You said it, we need to consider the unique characteristics
of each area, the long-term impacts
of different logging practices,
and find solutions that work for both people and the planet.
Solutions that benefit everyone in the long run.
I like that.
And I think we need to move beyond the rhetoric,
you know, the sound bites,
and really engage in some meaningful conversations
about how to manage our forests sustainably.
I agree, we need to be informed.
We need to listen to different perspectives.
And we need to be willing to compromise.
Absolutely.
And it's a truly eye-opening conversation.
Thank you so much for joining me on meteorology matters
and for sharing your expertise with our listeners.
It was my pleasure, thanks for having me.
And to all of you listening out there,
remember weather is connected to everything.
Stay curious, keep learning,
and make sure you're making informed choices
that support a healthier planet.
I'm Rob Jones, your host,
and if you want to continue this conversation,
follow me on Instagram, meteorologists,
on TikTok, TV meteorologists,
and on YouTube, follow Rob Jones' hurricane,
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Thanks for tuning in.