What’s causing the unprecedented wildfires in Europe?

France and Spain have deployed thousands of firefighters, and neighbouring countries have sent help.

Wildfires are ravaging many parts of western and southern Europe, with France and Spain among the hardest hit.

The World Health Organization has warned that climate change is contributing to the frequency and intensity of the fires. This is clear in the record temperatures and successive heatwaves seen across the continent since May. France and Spain have deployed thousands of firefighters, and neighbouring countries have sent assistance. Authorities say the situation is unprecedented.

Recommended Stories

• list 1 of 4Are countries prepared to cope with extreme weather?
• list 2 of 4Toronto engulfed by wildfire smoke as US cities threatened
• list 3 of 4Europe should look to Africa for heatwave solutions
• list 4 of 4Mina Hasman on designing cities for a hotter future

So, what will it take to extinguish the flames?

Eduardo Rojas – chairman of the board at the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification

Soraya Fettih – global campaigns coordinator at 350.org, an international environmental organisation focused on addressing the climate crisis

Laurie Laybourn – executive director of Strategic Climate Risks Initiative, a non-partisan think tank

Save

Share