Progressive climate change means more fires. UN experts call on member states to react immediately

The group of experts on the environment, at the UN Assembly in Nairobi, presented its report on the growing risk of occurrence and spread of fires caused by progressive climate change. This is not very optimistic news. Even the Arctic is at risk of fires.

Progressive climate change and land-use change are the main contributors to the increasing risk of fires. Experts estimate that by 2030 the risk of long-term and extreme fires, such as those that hit California or Australia, will increase by 14 percent. Without any reaction on our part, the risk will gradually increase – up to 50%. by the end of this century.

The report of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and GRID-Arendal, in addition to the warnings it contains, calls on governments to adopt a new “Fire Ready” formula, where two-thirds of the expenditure would go to the planning, prevention and reconstruction of fire-stricken sites, and a third of the money would go to the immediate response to a fire – of course, this is mainly about the budget for the fire service. So far, resources for the prevention and reconstruction of fire-stricken sites in most countries account for a small percentage of total budgets for fighting natural disasters.

Fires fuel climate change

To prevent fires, the authors also call for the linking of data-driven and science-driven monitoring systems with native knowledge, and for stronger regional and international cooperation.

– We need to minimize the risk of extreme fires through better preparation: invest more in reducing the risk of fires, work with local communities and strengthen global commitment to fighting climate change, says Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP

Without a decisive and quick response from the members of the United Nations, the problem of fires will not only increase but also fuel further progressive climate change. Especially it is about fires of peatlands and rainforests, which release quite large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and deprive us of further natural places for its safe storage. This, in turn, causes further increases in temperature, droughts, and extreme thunderstorms, all that affect the chance of a fire.

Also read: 7 greatest fires of the 21st century

Restoring ecosystems is an important element that could reduce the risk of fires. Wetland reconstruction and the reintroduction of species such as beavers, the restoration of peatlands and the preservation of open space buffers are some examples of the necessary investments in prevention, preparation and restoration.

The report concludes with a call to tighten international safety and health standards for firefighters and minimize the risks they face before, during and after firefighting operations.