Wildfires in Canada Shatter Carbon Emission Record, Doubling Previous Annual High
Unprecedented Blazes Release 290 Million Tons of Carbon
Updated: August 4, 2023 at 3:52 p.m. EDT | Published: August 4, 2023 at 12:45 p.m. EDT
Canada's historic wildfire season continues to rage, with the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) reporting that large-scale blazes across western and eastern regions have released an astonishing 290 million tons of carbon into the atmosphere.
Key Points:
- This year's wildfires have doubled Canada's previous annual carbon emission record.
- The fires have contributed to a quarter of the total carbon emissions from global boreal forest fires.
- The blazes began unusually early amid a dry and hot spring in western Canada.
This unprecedented carbon release is a stark reminder of the devastating environmental impacts of climate change. As forests burn, they release vast amounts of carbon dioxide, a key greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.
The Fire Weather Index (FWI), which measures the dryness of the forest, indicates extreme conditions across Canada. The map below shows areas at high risk of wildfires:
Boreal forest fires across a vast area, including Eurasia and Russia, have also contributed significantly to the total carbon emissions. With the blazes continuing to rage, it is crucial to take steps to mitigate the effects of climate change and prevent future disasters.
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