According to a new report, the world was engulfed in flames last year as wildfires raged across continents, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. From the scorching forests of Canada to the parched plains of Greece, the destructive power of these blazes was unprecedented.
Fueled by a combination of extreme weather conditions and climate change, these fires burned through millions of acres of land, releasing a staggering 8.6 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, exacerbating the climate crisis.
Canada’s Fiery Inferno
Canada experienced its worst fire season on record, with flames consuming nearly 58,000 square miles of land. This staggering figure was a direct result of climate change, which made the dry, windy conditions that fueled the fires three times more likely to occur.
Greece Grapples with Europe’s Largest Wildfire
In Greece, Europe’s largest wildfire erupted, burning an area 18 percent larger than it would have in a world without climate change. The extreme fire weather that fueled the blaze was at least twice as likely to occur due to rising temperatures.
Amazon Rainforest Under Siege
The Amazon rainforest, the world’s lungs, was also under threat. Climate change made the fire weather in the region 20 times more likely to occur, leading to a 50 percent increase in the burned area.
A Global Calamity
The global impact of these wildfires was staggering. The total amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere was 16 percent higher than average, and the fires in North America alone accounted for a quarter of the world’s fire emissions.
The Human Toll
The human cost of these fires was immense. In Canada, over 200,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes, and at least eight firefighters lost their lives. In Greece, the Evros fire claimed the lives of at least 20 people.
The Road Ahead
The report serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of climate change. Unless we take immediate action to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, these extreme fire events will become more frequent and intense, putting countless lives and ecosystems at risk.
Reference- E&E News, Scientific American, Earth System Science Data Report, National Geographic