Wildfires Aren’t Just a Threat to People—They’re Killing Off Earth’s Biodiversity
The catastrophic wildfires that have been increasing in intensity and frequency due to human-caused climate change are not only a threat to human life and the environment but also to Earth’s biodiversity. Wildfires consume vast areas of forests, resulting in the loss of habitat and the direct killing of many animal species. The decline in global species population sizes, which has averaged 68 percent since 1970 according to a report by World Wildlife Fund (WWF), is largely attributed to human activity.
Wildfires have devastated wildlife populations around the world. The 2019-20 Australian bushfire season, known as the “Black Summer,” resulted in the deaths or displacement of an estimated 1.25 billion animals, including iconic species like koalas, kangaroos, and wallabies.
In Brazil, the Amazon wildfires caused by illegal logging and agribusiness encroachment have not only threatened Indigenous communities and created air pollution-related health crises but also released more carbon dioxide than the deforested regions are absorbing, contributing to climate change.
Various organizations are calling for action to address the impact of wildfires on biodiversity. Amnesty International has petitioned JBS, the world’s largest meat supplier, to remove cows illegally grazed on protected lands from its supply chain.
The frequency of large wildfires is expected to increase by over 30 percent by 2050 and over 50 percent by 2100 due to climate change-induced drought and extreme heat. This poses a significant threat to both humans and nonhuman animals. To mitigate this crisis, urgent action is needed to address the root causes of climate change, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to more sustainable practices. Failure to do so will result in a grim reality for present and future generations, as the devastating consequences of wildfires continue to impact Earth’s biodiversity.
🔭 This summary was human-edited with AI-assist.
