{"id":18718,"date":"2022-02-23T11:28:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-23T11:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=18718"},"modified":"2022-02-23T11:28:00","modified_gmt":"2022-02-23T11:28:00","slug":"un-experts-warn-number-of-wildfires-increased-by-50","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/un-experts-warn-number-of-wildfires-increased-by-50\/18718\/","title":{"rendered":"UN experts warn the number of wildfires has increased by 50%"},"content":{"rendered":"

Governments are called to radically shift their investments to focus on the prevention and vigilance to combat rising numbers of global wildfires.<\/h2>\n

Climate change and land-use change are projected to create an upsurge in wildfires, resulting in them occurring more frequently and being more intense. A global increase of extreme fires is estimated at up to 14% by 2030, 30% by the end of 2050, and 50% by the end of the century, according to a new report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)<\/a> and GRID-Arendal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Therefore, the paper calls for a radical change in government spending on wildfires, shifting their investments from reaction and response to prevention and preparedness.\u00a0The report,\u00a0Spreading like Wildfire: The Rising Threat of Extraordinary Landscape Fires<\/em>, reveals an elevated risk even for the Arctic and other regions that were previously unaffected by wildfires.<\/p>\n

The report is released before representatives of 193 nations convene in Nairobi for the resumed 5th<\/sup>\u00a0session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2), between 28 February and 2 March, 2022.<\/p>\n

\u2018Fire Ready Formula\u2019<\/h3>\n

The publication calls on governments to adopt a new \u2018Fire Ready Formula,\u2019 with two-thirds of spending devoted to planning, prevention, and recovery, with one third left for response. Currently, direct responses to wildfires typically receive over half of related expenditures, while planning and prevention receive less than 1%.<\/p>\n

To prevent fires, researchers call for a combination of data and science-based monitoring systems with indigenous knowledge, and for a stronger regional and international cooperation.<\/p>\n

\u201cCurrent government responses to wildfires are often putting money in the wrong place,\u201d commented Inger Andersen, UNEP Executive Director. \u201cThose emergency service workers and firefighters on the frontlines who are risking their lives to fight forest wildfires need to be supported. We have to minimise the risk of extreme wildfires by being better prepared: invest more in fire risk reduction, work with local communities, and strengthen global commitment to fight climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wildfires devastating effects<\/h3>\n

Wildfires disproportionately affect the world\u2019s poorest nations. With an impact that extends for days, weeks and even years after the flames subside, they impede progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals and deepen social inequalities:<\/p>\n