Climate Change to Heighten Global Urban Fire Risks, Study Reveals

A new study reveals that climate change may significantly increase urban fire risks worldwide. If global warming exceeds 4 degrees Celsius, it could lead to 300,000 fire-related deaths by 2100. The study predicts rises in outdoor and vehicle fires while suggesting that limiting temperature increases could mitigate these impacts. Notably, New Zealand may face a 40% rise in city fires under severe warming scenarios.

A recent study published in the online journal Nature Cities suggests that climate change is set to escalate the risk of urban fires globally over the coming decades. Researchers analyzed fire data and temperature metrics from more than 2,800 cities across 20 countries, representing over 20% of the world’s population. They reported that if global temperatures increase beyond 4 degrees Celsius, approximately 300,000 deaths and over one million injuries related to fires could occur by the year 2100.

The study indicates that in a high-emission scenario, outdoor fires may increase by 22.2%, while vehicle fires could rise by 11.6% by the end of the century. However, it predicts a slight decline of 4.6% in building fires. Notably, for every one degree Celsius increase in air temperature, the likelihood of vehicle fires rises by 3.3%, and outdoor fires increase by 6.9%.

Furthermore, the research highlighted that New Zealand might experience a significant surge in city fires—up to 40%—by 2100, should temperatures rise unchecked beyond 4 degrees Celsius. The findings aim to inform new fire prevention strategies, such as enhanced fuel management. The study acknowledges gaps in the data, particularly from Africa and South America, which could impact its comprehensiveness regarding the influence of electric vehicles on fire occurrences.

In summary, the findings of this study underscore the urgent need to address climate change to mitigate the increasing threat of urban fires. With the potential for significant death tolls and injuries resulting from rising global temperatures, adopting preventive measures is critical. Researchers advocate for strategic interventions to manage fire risks effectively as we anticipate the ongoing impacts of climate change.

Original Source: www.aa.com.tr