Canada’s Wildfires of 2023 Emit Decade’s Worth of Carbon in One Devastating Season

Canada’s unprecedented 2023 wildfires released nearly a decade’s worth of carbon emissions in a single season, with fires made at least three times more likely due to the climate crisis. The fires emitted around 2 billion tonnes of CO2, accounting for a quarter of global wildfire emissions last year, according to the State of Wildfires report.

Matthew Jones, lead author and research fellow at the University of East Anglia, warned that as the climate crisis intensifies, wildfires will become more frequent and severe, devastating ecosystems and contributing to further greenhouse gas emissions. Despite regrowth offering some carbon absorption, the increasing frequency of fires means vegetation has less time to recover, turning forests into net carbon sources.

The 2023 fires burned six times more area in Canada than an average year. This destructive season was part of a global trend, with record wildfires also ravaging Brazil, Hawaii, Texas, and Greece. The report emphasized the urgent need to cut greenhouse gas emissions, improve land management, and implement early warning systems to prevent future wildfire disasters.

Despite global efforts to manage and reduce wildfire risks, the researchers found that a Canadian born today is more likely to experience another catastrophic fire in their lifetime. The report calls for immediate action to address the climate crisis and mitigate the growing threat of wildfires worldwide.