{"id":79781,"date":"2022-02-26T08:46:55","date_gmt":"2022-02-26T07:46:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sonnenseite.com\/?p=79781"},"modified":"2022-02-26T08:46:56","modified_gmt":"2022-02-26T07:46:56","slug":"number-of-wildfires-to-rise-by-50-by-2100","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sonnenseite.com\/en\/environment\/number-of-wildfires-to-rise-by-50-by-2100\/","title":{"rendered":"Number of wildfires to rise by 50% by 2100"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The governments are not prepared, experts warn – Wildfires and climate change are \u201cmutually exacerbating\u201d. Even the Arctic, previously all but immune, faces rising wildfire risk, experts say ahead of the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Climate change and land-use change are projected to make wildfires more frequent and intense, with a global increase of extreme fires of up to 14 per cent by 2030, 30 per cent by the end of 2050 and 50 per cent by the end of the century, according to a new report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP<\/a>) and GRID-Arendal<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The paper calls for a radical change in government spending on wildfires, shifting their investments from reaction and response to prevention and preparedness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The report, Spreading like Wildfire: The Rising Threat of Extraordinary Landscape Fires<\/a><\/em>, finds an elevated risk even for the Arctic and other regions previously unaffected by wildfires. The report is released before the resumed 5th<\/sup> session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA<\/a>-5.2) convenes in Nairobi, between 28 February and 2 March, 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The publication calls on governments to adopt a new \u2018Fire Ready Formula\u2019, 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 receives less than one per cent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To prevent fires, authors call for a combination of data and science-based monitoring systems with indigenous knowledge and for a stronger regional and international cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCurrent 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\u201d, said Inger Andersen, UNEP Executive Director. \u201cWe 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\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wildfires disproportionately affect the world\u2019s poorest nations. With an impact that extends for days, weeks and even years after the flames subside, they impede progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals<\/a> and deepen social inequalities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n