In 2020, giant forest fires ravage the planet more than ever

In the Omsk region of Russia, a forest fire threatens a village on August 11, 2020. Alexey Malgavko / Reuters

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2 min

While the eyes of the whole world are on the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, another crisis is emerging on the planet: the upsurge in mega-forest fires. While in 2019, the number of fires had already broken records, from the Amazon to the Arctic, forests burned more than ever during the first quarter of 2020. A joint study by WWF and the Boston Consulting Group ( BCG) analyzes the reasons and consequences.

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In the first quarter of 2020, the number of forest fires in the world increased by 13% compared to the same period in 2019. The persistent heat and dry weather, due to both climate change and the conversion of natural spaces in agricultural land, associated with poor forest management, are the main causes of this increase. The report prepared by WWF and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) points out that human activities are responsible for 75% of these fires.

► To read also: Bush and forest fires are increasing in Madagascar

Climate change and forest fires, the vicious circle

In the northern hemisphere, most fires are caused by neglect: burning of waste, industrial or agricultural accidents. In the tropics and subtropics of Africa and Southeast Asia, forest fires are usually started intentionally to renew agricultural land. In Brazil and Indonesia, forests are burnt to develop industrial agriculture and animal husbandry.

If this trend continues, the consequences will be devastating in terms of pollution and the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere. Climate change and forest fires are mutually reinforcing. It is therefore a vicious circle that must be broken, otherwise droughts and mega-fires will become the norm.

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  • Natural disasters
  • Weather
  • Climate change

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