Wildfires are a double whammy in the fight against climate change – Guardian

Wildfires burning across the world in the two hottest years on record have vastly increased nations' chances of tackling climate change, The Guardian reported.

Forest fires in Brazil, the US, Greece, Portugal and even the Arctic Circle have a dual impact on the global climate, the British news site continues, by releasing carbon from the burned trees and reducing the forests' capacity to absorb carbon dioxide.

This all contributes to the warming of the Earth system, which has already increased over the past two centuries due to the burning of gas, oil and coal, the report continues. According to the UK Met Office, global temperatures are already 1.3°C higher than in the pre-industrial era.

“Fires reduce the ability of forests and other ecosystems to store carbon, narrowing our scope to control global warming,” said Dr. Chantelle Burton, the lead author of the Met Office survey cited in the report.

Read the full story: The Guardian

Also on AF:

Heatwaves and wildfires depleted vital carbon sink – NS

Uproar breaks out after the European Commission agrees to postpone the Forest Protection Regulation

Australian fires damage ozone layer – New Scientist

Continued investment in fossil fuels puts $557 trillion at risk

Sean O'Meara

Sean O'Meara is an editor at Asia Financial. He has been a newspaperman for more than 30 years, working on local, regional and national titles across the UK as a writer, editor, page designer and print editor. As a football, cricket and rugby fan, he has a particular interest in sports finance.