One billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) is the figure estimated by Canadian authorities due to the burning of 13.5 million hectares of forests so far in 2024. A historical fact, never seen before and which disturbs the scientific community, since this amount of CO2 emitted after the burning of a myriad of trees is equivalent to the emissions produced annually by the Japanese.
“Our preliminary calculations indicate that we have already exceeded 1,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide,” Michael Norton, director general of the Canadian Forest Service, told AFP. These figures could increase because Canada is entering a new heat wave in the coming days, and also because the risk of wildfires may last until September, according to the expert.
The comparison with the Japanese production of CO2 (a greenhouse gas that causes global warming) was published last Friday by the Canadian authorities: in 2021, the Asian country emitted 1.12 thousand CO2, placing it in 5th country with the most emissions of this gas. That same year, Canada emitted 670 million tonnes of CO2.
By the end of July, Canada’s CO2 emissions had already broken the last record set in 2014, according to Copernicus data. During this first half of 2023, Canada has recorded fires in all parts of the country and on August 11, it celebrated 90 days of maximum fire alert.
Climate change, main cause
The devastating fires that have spread from east to west in Canada have destroyed 13.5 million hectares, equivalent to the area of Greece.
with AFP
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