Climate models show that this is especially true for areas such as the Mediterranean (including Greece) and the Amazon in South America.
The risk of forest fires will continue to rise in the coming years due to climate change, especially in the Mediterranean, according to a new international scientific study. On the other hand, he points out that there is scope for human action and policies that can play a critical role in reducing the risk of fire.
The researchers, led by him Dr. Matthew Jones of Tyndall Research Center for Climate Change at University of the East of Englandwho made the relevant publication in the journal Geophysics «Reviews of Geophysics»confirm that anthropogenic climate change is a key factor in increasing the risk of forest fires worldwide, as dry and hot conditions are created that favor the onset and spread of a large and difficult to control fire. The higher the temperature of the planet in the future, the greater the risk of fires.
Climate models show that this is especially true for areas such as the Mediterranean (including Greece) and the Amazon in South America. If, however, the rise in average global temperature eventually reaches 2 to 3 degrees relative to pre-industrial levels, then it is estimated that almost all regions of the planet will become more “friendly” to fires.
According to the study:
- The duration of the annual fire season has – on average – increased worldwide by 14 days per year (27%) during the period 1979-2019.
- The frequency of days with extreme weather ideal for fires has increased by 10 days per year (54%) on average worldwide during the same period.
- On the other hand, globally, the total area burned by fires decreased by about a quarter or 1.1 million square kilometers in the years 2011-2019. Much of this reduction (590,000 sq. Km.) Has occurred in the African savannas, where 60% to 70% of the world’s burned areas occur each year. However, large increases in burned areas are observed in other parts of the world, e.g. in the Siberian and North American forests.
Check out the news feed and stay up to date with the latest news.
I have worked in the news industry for over 10 years. I have a vast amount of experience in covering health news. I am also an author at News Bulletin 247. I am highly experienced and knowledgeable in this field. I am a hard worker and always deliver quality work. I am a reliable source of information and always provide accurate information.
