CO2 from LA fires could make climate change even worse, experts warn

The wildfires have the potential to create a ‘vicious cycle’ that exacerbates the impact of human-caused climate change.Wildfires that have torn through the homes of people in Los Angeles this week could end up making climate change worse, experts have warned.

California governor Gavin Newsom has said the wildfires – which killed 24 people by Monday and have forced 100,000 to evacuate – could be the most devastating natural disaster in US history.Vào thứ Hai, gió mạnh nguy hiểm dự kiến ​​sẽ quay trở lại thành phố, gây ảnh hưởng đến nỗ lực dập tắt hai vụ cháy rừng lớn đã phá hủy hàng nghìn tòa nhà“As climate change worsens, we can expect more wildfires affecting areas like California. Studies indicate that human-caused climate change has significantly increased conditions like a deficit in how much water vapour is in the air, driven by higher temperatures and increased dryness. These all create the perfect conditions for wildfires to start and spread rapidly.”

A study by the University of Exeter last year revealed that CO2 emissions from forest fires had risen 60% in recent years worldwide.

The emissions are linked to the ‘hot-dry conditions seen in heatwaves and droughts.

Climate change is also driving increased rates of growth, which provides more ‘fuel’ for fires.

The carbon combustion rate, a measure of fire severity based on how much carbon is emitted per unit of area burned, increased by almost 50% across forests globally between 2001 and 2023.