South America is on fire—literally. From Brazil's lush Amazon rainforest 🌳 to the sprawling wetlands and dry forests of Bolivia, the continent is experiencing an unprecedented wave of wildfires. As of September 11, satellite data analyzed by Brazil's space research agency, Inpe, has registered a staggering 346,112 fire hotspots across all 13 countries. This surpasses the previous record set in 2007, marking a grim milestone in South America's environmental history. 🔥
Thousands of firefighters in Brazil and Bolivia are battling relentlessly to control the blazes, but they're up against extreme weather conditions that are fanning the flames. 🌪️ Scientists point out that while many of these fires are started by human activity, climate change-induced heatwaves and droughts are accelerating their spread. South America has been hit by a series of heatwaves since last year, turning vast areas into tinderboxes. 🌡️
The impact isn't just on the environment. Inhaling wildfire smoke contributes to an average of 12,000 early deaths each year in South America, according to a 2023 study published in Environmental Research: Health. 😷 With September being the peak month for fires, communities are bracing themselves, unsure if this alarming trend will continue. ⏳
It's a wake-up call for all of us. The flames consuming South America don't just threaten local ecosystems—they have global implications for climate, biodiversity, and human health. 🌍❤️ It's time to pay attention and take action before more records are broken.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
