Wildfires in 2023 caused massive CO2 emissions, compounding climate change

A university in the United Kingdom has published a first-of-its-kind study on the release of carbon emissions from wildfires. The study found that wildfires last year caused 8.6 billion tons of CO2 emissions – 16 percent above average.

Issued on: 14/08/2024 - 02:35
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NEWS WIRES
Wildfires made more frequent and intense by climate change released significant quantities of CO2 into the air in 2023-2024, said a first-of-its-kind annual study published Wednesday.

Fires in natural areas caused 8.6 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions worldwide between March 2023 and February 2024 – 16 percent above average.

Only a relatively calm fires season in the African savannah prevented the 2023-2024 season from breaking a fresh record for CO2 emissions at the global level.

These were among the conclusions in a new study, "State of Wildfires", published in the journal Earth System Science Data.

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