Increasing Carbon Emissions, Rising Global Temperatures Contribute to Wildfires, New Report Shows

The new report emphasized the contribution of increased carbon emissions to the rising global temperatures and wildfires, as the researchers studied the role of cement manufacturers and 88 major fuels in the problem.

Human-caused climate change has been a pressing concern for experts, environmentalists and scientists due to its impact on the environment and organisms.

For the impact of climate change, Aljazeera reported that climate change played a crucial role in deaths.

According to the United Nations (UN), report, extreme weather events contributed to about 2 million death, noting that poorer nations could suffer more from devastating weather events.

Furthermore, the increased carbon emissions contributed to the problems of burned forests, affecting communities and animals.

Wildfires and carbon emissions

(Photo : by MEGAN ALBU/AFP via Getty Images)
Alberta, Canada on May 10, 2023

According to the research published in the Environmental Research Letters, the study explained that carbon emissions showed a significant contribution to 40% of the burned forests or wildfires in Southwestern Canada and the western United States.

The initiative of the research is part of the extreme event attribution that studies the impact of global warming on extreme events, including

The report noted that southwestern Canada and the western United States had an increase in burned areas due to wildfires.

However, the report noted that non-climate factors were not included in the research, such as human-caused fires and indigenous burning.

The researchers noted that they looked into the impact of the cement manufacturers and 88 major fossil fuels that could contribute to increasing global temperatures.

The report was also published on the Phys.org website and Los Angeles Times.

Meanwhile, researchers explained that the trees and brush water could become drained due to dry conditions, which could likely result in fire or wildfires.

According to the report, study author Kristina Dahl said that people affected by wildfires could see the report as how companies could become accountable.

Fossil fuel industry and wildfires

To understand the impact of the fossil industry on the emergence of wildfires, the researchers said they looked into the studies tracing the carbon emissions of 88 fossil producers and cement producers.

Also Read: Why Record-Breaking Heat Considered Global Health Concern

In the last 120 years, the researchers estimated that about an increase of 48% of the vapor pressure deficit contributed.

According to the report, vapor pressure deficit in Western North America means air could likely affect plants by drying them, which could become more vulnerable to wildfires.

The researchers helped to link the impact of major carbon producers on wildfires, urging for accountability from companies.

On the other hand, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that a risk of wildfires could emerge in dry areas and with high winds.

WHO explained that wildfires could impact communities' communications, health systems, and delivery of essential supplies.

Furthermore, the report noted that wildfires could affect the air quality in affected areas. WHO said t about 6.2 million people became affected due to volcanic activities and wildfires, from 1998 to 2017.