From Turkey to Brazil, and Russia to the US, we’re seeing fires consuming our forests, killing wildlife and threatening our woodlands’ ability to trap and store carbon, a defense against the climate crisis. This year’s fire season is significantly more destructive than the previous average, and it will only get worse from here.
With more fires comes more emissions, fueling more rapid climate change, and worsening air quality at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic already threatens respiratory health. There is mounting evidence that air quality is a contributing factor in the pandemic.
Companies and governments need to act now to protect our planet by phasing out fossil fuels, stopping industrial agriculture and — with the guidance of Indigenous Peoples and forest guardians — protect and restore forests and other vital ecosystems.
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Turkey
Turkey is suffering its worst fires in at least a decade. Thousands of people have been battling almost 100 separate blazes in cities and villages on the country’s Mediterranean and Aegean coasts. The flames have been fueled by scorching summer temperatures and conditions that experts say have been worsened by climate change.
Greenpeace Turkey is in Marmaris working to support local organisations in a collective response — including with mobile solar energy points to recharge phones and other equipment — while continuing to push for climate action like ending coal fired power plants.
Greece
Greece reported its highest temperature on record on Monday (46,1°C, 115°F); its worst heatwave in over 30 years. There have been more than 100 fires in two days. A major fire near Athens blocked the main highway linking the north and south, forcing hundreds to evacuate.
Greenpeace Greece is calling for urgent action to protect biodiversity and tackle the root causes of climate crisis — energy policies that are serving oil and fossil gas dependency. And telling bickering politicians to “shut up and act”.
United States
Wildfires are again plaguing western states that have also been facing a drought and life-threatening heatwave. Nearly 100 large fires have burned in more than a dozen US states as of Aug. 4, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
Greenpeace USA is calling for an end to federal subsidies for fossil fuel companies who have accelerated the climate emergency. In California, Greenpeace USA is calling on Governor Newsom to commit to clear and urgent action to phase out climate-warming fossil fuels.
You can read the whole article HERE.
Source: Greenpeace
