The year 2025 has witnessed a significant surge in global wildfire activity, with climate change identified as a primary driver. This escalation highlights the urgent need for comprehensive climate policies focused on emission reductions and ecosystem preservation.
Europe experienced a severe heatwave in July 2025, with temperatures reaching up to 43°C in Greece and the Balkans, and exceeding 41°C in Romania, breaking historical records. These extreme weather events are consistent with broader trends of increasingly severe heatwaves attributed to human-caused climate change, leading to heightened wildfire risks and impacts on vulnerable populations.
Canada is enduring its second-worst wildfire season on record in 2025. As of August, over 7.3 million hectares have been consumed by flames, a substantial increase compared to the five-year average. The fires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan alone have released approximately 180 million metric tons of carbon into the atmosphere, equivalent to over 660 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. This surge in emissions has led to widespread smoke pollution across North America and has even reached Europe, affecting air quality for millions.
A critical concern is the diminishing capacity of forests to absorb carbon dioxide. Traditionally acting as vital carbon sinks, forests are increasingly becoming carbon sources due to extensive wildfires. Research indicates that at 1.3°C of global warming, fire-related impacts on carbon storage are already pronounced, underscoring the crucial importance of the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C target. The shift from carbon sinks to sources not only exacerbates climate change but also challenges mitigation efforts. The long-term impact on forest soils, with substantial carbon loss potentially taking over a century to restore, necessitates dynamic risk management in forest policies.
Addressing this escalating crisis requires comprehensive climate policies that prioritize greenhouse gas emission reductions across all sectors and implement robust strategies for forest ecosystem management. These measures are vital for enhancing forest resilience, maintaining carbon sequestration capabilities, and mitigating the accelerating impacts of climate change globally.