Climate change has significantly increased the amount of land burned by wildfires across the world, according to the most robust study of its kind.
Climate change has significantly increased the amount of land burned by wildfires across the world, according to the most robust study of its kind.
An international research team, including the Met Office, Vrije Universiteit Brussel and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), used a novel combination of advanced modelling and satellite images for the study. Its findings, published in Nature Climate Change, showed that the amount of burned area is, on average, around 16% greater than it would be if the world’s climate was similar to pre-industrial times. Central Australia, California and Siberia are among the areas that have seen the largest increases in burned area.
Growing threat to people and nature
In recent years, there have been record-breaking wildfires in some countries like Canada, Greece and Hawaii. Scientists have warned that as global temperatures rise, wildfires will become more frequent and intense, increasing the threats to lives, property and biodiversity.
Read more at: UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Hotter temperatures result in increased burned area. (Photo Credit: Tim Parker)
