“In many parts of Europe, periods of prolonged drought are becoming increasingly frequent. That increases the risk of extreme fires. In some areas, serious fires are likely to break out maybe every two years.” The speaker is Thomas Elmqvist, Director of the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC). In a new report, the Council calls for a major change in EU policy on forest fires, namely a shift from reactive firefighting to proactive, risk-based land management.
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EASAC report: Europe must learn to live with forest fires
The report was compiled by 23 scientists selected by national academies. Drawing on their specific areas of expertise, they examine the complex factors that are contributing to the increased risk of wildfires. The issues addressed are not only climate change but also rural depopulation and changes in land use.
EASAC also criticises current EU policy and its heavy focus on firefighting and the associated emergency response. The report calls for a more integrated EU framework for landscape fire risk management: one that also prioritises prevention. According to Dr Cathelijne Stoof, co-chair of ESAC’s Wildfires Working Group, “Firefighting alone isn’t enough. We need to tackle the underlying causes, combat climate change more effectively, invest in resilient landscapes, and involve the public in learning to live with fire”.
EASAC
Within Europe, the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences collaborates with other European academies as a member of various umbrella organisations, including the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC).
Within that organisation, the EU Member States, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom jointly provide independent scientific advice on policy to European policymakers in the fields of the life sciences, energy, and climate.
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Dutch Climate Research Initiative KIN
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