Bushfires & wildfires- the venom to life on Earth

Summary 

• Forests and bushes have been burning in Turkey, North America, Greece, Italy, and Spain. 
• The magnitude of the bushfires and the wildfires is persistently rising. Amid these scenarios, climate change is likely to worsen.
• Governments need to develop land management, adopt education about such fires, and other measures to help local communities.

Last year, Australian bushfires were in the limelight as forests were burning for months. As a result, thousands of people had to evacuate their homes while wildlife and natural vegetation of the land was disturbed beyond control. History seems to be repeating itself, and quickly this time as currently, Turkey, North America, Greece, Italy, and Spain are facing this dire calamity.

Recent wildfires and bushfires- an overview

Turkey- For almost a week now, the forests near Turkey’s beaches are burning. The most gruesome impact is having so far made on the villagers and the wildlife animals. People had to evacuate their homes; animals cannot breathe because of the smoke-stuffed air. 

North America- Amid severe droughts and increasing temperature in America, North America is now subjected to life-threatening bushfires. Additionally, the numbers are pretty alarming - more than 80 bushfires happened in the last few weeks in North America. Unfortunately, fires have destroyed more than 1.7 million acres. As a result, Canada and Northern America are under pollution alert. 

Image credits: © Elantsev | Megapixl.com

REFER: Scientists update forecasts on the need for a better climate modelling

Greece- Greece is experiencing a similar catastrophic situation. It’s been a couple of days since Western Greece is under the radar of the blazes. Almost five villages have been evacuated, multiple people are hospitalised, and houses are burnt down. 

Italy and Spain- They are facing similar fires. Unprecedented fires are causing a disturbance in the entire ecosystem and lives of the people residing in those areas. In Italy, around 20,000 hectares of forest and crops were destroyed by the blaze a few days back. Spain is not spared as the wildfire is wreaking havoc in the east of Madrid.

The magnitude of the bushfires and the wildfires is persistently rising. Amid these scenarios, climate change will worsen. The authorities are yet to take adequate measures to battle climate change in the long run. 

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Climate change- battle it & tackle it

Climate change is impacting the world on a significant level now. For example, although fires have been part of natural history, researchers point out that the magnitude, impacts, and frequency of such fires is primarily because of the global warming and other climatic catastrophes the Earth is going through. 

Draughts, warmer conditions, dry environments are causing more prolonged and more intense blazes around the globe. In its fourth assessment report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said, "Warmer summer temperatures are expected to extend the annual window of high fire ignition risk by 10-30%."

Above all, the National Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research revealed that bushfires heavily impacted the global climate in 2020.

REFER: Do you know the EU & China’s plan to cut greenhouse emissions?

Image Credits:  © Sedrik2007 | Megapixl.com

The study also revealed that the impact of a regional wildfire could be substantial on the global temperature. Interestingly, some wildfires are due to lightning strikes. However, a vast majority is induced by people - it could be intentional or accidental. 

The new and not so new venom to earth are these blazes. In the name of natural fires, the concern of the aftermath effects is long ignored. However, there is enough evidence available that showcases the drowning condition. Therefore, governments need to develop land management, adopt education about such fires and other measures to help local communities.