The Weather Lab with Paul Huttner: Wildfire science and climate refugees

Forest fires rage on in the distance
A plume of smoke hangs in the air as forest fires rage on in the distance in Fort McMurray, Alberta on May 4, 2016. Numerous vehicles can be seen abandoned on the highways leading from the raging forest fires in Fort McMurray and neighboring communities banded together to offer support in the form of food, water, and gasoline.
Cole Burston | AFP | Getty

Wildfires in Canada and northern Minnesota have forced evacuations and sent plumes of smoke over our region. Today on The Weather Lab, MPR chief meteorologist Paul Huttner asked two experts about the weather conditions that led to these fires and led to dangerous air quality in many parts of Minnesota. They also discussed what we know about the connection between wildfires and the changing climate.

Guests:

- Daniel Dix, Research Scientist/Meteorologist at the MPCA

- Merritt Turetsky, Professor in the department of integrative biology at University of Guelph in Ontario

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Then on Climate Cast, Paul discussed why the World Bank is warning that water shortages around the world -- caused in part by climate change -- will deliver a "severe hit" to many economies and force more waves of disruptive human migration.

Guests:

- Peter Gleick, founder of the Pacific Institute

- Chris Mooney, reporter covering the environment for the Washington Post