By the end of the century ( 2100), extreme wildfires are likely to become more frequent and intense — as high as 50 per cent — due to climate change and land-use change globally including India, according to a new UN report.
However, the global warming and urbanisation impact will start to be visible within the next seven years itself when wildfires will increase to 14 per cent by 2030 and 30 per cent by the end of 2050 itself, the report paints a scary scenario for the future. People's and animal’s health is directly affected by inhaling wildfire smoke, causing respiratory and cardiovascular impacts and increased health effects for the most vulnerable.
The report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and GRID-Arendal calls for a radical change in government spending on wildfires, shifting their investments from reaction and response to prevention and preparedness.
Titled “Spreading like Wildfire: The Rising Threat of Extraordinary Landscape Fires,” the extensive report finds an elevated risk even for the Arctic and other regions previously unaffected by wildfires. The report is released before representatives of 193 nations convene in Nairobi for the resumed 5th session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2), between 28 February and 2 March, 2022.
According to Andrew Sullivan, Scientist, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia, who is one of the report’s authors, uncontrollable and devastating wildfires are becoming an expected part of the seasonal calendars in many parts of the world. He said,
“We have seen a great increase in recent fires in northern Syria, northern Siberia, the eastern side of Australia, and India. Although the situation is dire and eliminating wildfire risks is impossible, communities can still reduce their risk and exposure. Where wildfires have historically occurred, they may increase; however, where wildfires have not historically occurred, they may become more common.”
He added that extreme wildfires can be devastating to people, biodiversity and ecosystems. They also exacerbate climate change, contributing significant greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere, he said.
The authors have called upon the governments to adopt a new 'Fire Ready Formula,' with two-thirds of spending devoted to planning, prevention, preparedness, and recovery, with one third left for response. Currently, direct responses to wildfires typically receive over half of related expenditures, while planning and prevention receive less than one per cent.
“Current government responses to wildfires are often putting money in the wrong place. Those emergency service workers and firefighters on the frontlines who are risking their lives to fight forest wildfires need to be supported. We have to minimize the risk of extreme wildfires by being better prepared: invest more in fire risk reduction, work with local communities, and strengthen global commitment to fight climate change" said Inger Andersen, UNEP Executive
Director.
While, the economic costs of rebuilding after areas are struck by wildfires can be beyond the means of low-income countries, watersheds are degraded by wildfires' pollutants; they also can lead to soil erosion causing more problems for waterways,” notes the report.
The report was commissioned in support of UNREDD and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
