2 billion tons: Canada wildfires emit a decade’s worth of CO2 in 1 season

Canada’s wildfires of the past year have set an alarming precedent, producing nearly as much greenhouse gas emissions in a single season as would typically accumulate over a decade under normal circumstances.

According to the latest State of Wildfires report, released on Wednesday, these fires contributed approximately 2 billion tonnes of CO2, which represents about 25% of the total global wildfire emissions for the year.

The report, which highlights the severity of Canada’s “wildest season ever,” underscores that these fires were at least three times more likely due to the ongoing climate crisis.

This dramatic increase in fire activity is not just a local issue but a global concern. Wildfires are becoming a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Last year, total CO2 emissions from fires reached 8.6 billion tonnes.

This figure surpasses the annual emissions of the United States from all sources combined, which stands at 4.8 billion tonnes.

Long-term health and environmental impacts

The repercussions of last year’s fires are expected to be felt for decades to come. The damage extends beyond immediate destruction, affecting air quality and public health.

Matthew Jones, a research fellow at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia and lead author of the report, cautions, “These fires are something we should all be concerned about. The full effects of last year’s fires will not be seen for a long time.”

The impact of these wildfires is compounded by their role in the broader climate crisis. Wildfires destroy vast amounts of vegetation and soil. These are critical carbon sinks, and their destruction exacerbates the greenhouse effect.

Despite the natural ability of regrowing vegetation to absorb carbon dioxide, the increasing frequency and intensity of fires are overwhelming these regenerative processes.

Jones warns of a dangerous trend, “The real problem begins when you have a shift in the fire regime away from its natural state and towards more frequent and severe burning.”

Global context and future projections

The scale of last year’s wildfires extends beyond Canada. In Brazil, the Amazonas state faced record-high fires due to severe drought, while devastating fires in Hawaii and Texas claimed over 100 lives. Europe experienced its largest single fire on record, burning 900 square kilometers of Greece. Despite this, African savannahs experienced lower-than-average burning, preventing last year’s wildfire emissions from reaching an even higher threshold.

Data from the World Resources Institute indicates that nearly 12 million hectares were burned globally in 2023, an area roughly the size of Nicaragua. This represents a 25% increase over the previous record set in 2016. The area burned by forest fires has grown by about 5.4% annually since 2001, leading to a significant increase in tree cover loss—approximately 6 million hectares more per year compared to 2001.

To mitigate the escalating wildfire risk, experts suggest a multifaceted approach. Prioritizing the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is crucial, but so is implementing better land management and early warning systems.

Measures such as banning the deliberate setting of fires, creating fire breaks, managing dry vegetation, and improving air pollution controls are essential. Despite these efforts, early warning systems often face limitations in regions where the risk of fire is high throughout the summer season.

Jones emphasizes the need for urgent action, “Wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense as the climate warms, and both society and the environment are suffering from the consequences.”

The report also highlights that human-induced climate change has made wildfires three times more likely in Canada, 20 times more likely in western Amazonia, and twice as likely in Greece. As greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, the likelihood of experiencing fires of similar magnitude to last year’s inferno increases.

For Canadians born today, there is a higher chance of witnessing such severe fires within their lifetime compared to those born in the 1940s.

The devastation extends to previously less vulnerable areas as well, including wetlands and moist rainforests. Brazil’s Pantanal region, for instance, was hit hard by record-breaking fires in June, severely impacting globally significant wildlife habitats.

The comprehensive analysis in the State of Wildfires report 2023-24 , led by the University of East Anglia, the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, and the Met Office, utilized global satellite observations, computer models, and regional research to compile the data.