Deadly wildfires like those that burned through central Chile and killed at least 133 people this month will become more likely in the South American country as climate change makes the world hotter and drier, according to a report released on Thursday. The report found that neither global warming nor the El Nino climate phenomenon drove that recent increase in the HDWI during the fires, as that coastal region of Chile is actually cooling while temperatures are warming inland. But that will change with global warming, the scientists said. Temperatures are on track to rise up to 2.9 degrees Celsius (5.2 degrees Fahrenheit) this century, based on current climate pledges, according to the United Nations. The report’s authors also found that urban growth and land use change were big factors that led to the fires being so deadly.

Source: Bueno Aires Herald February 23, 2024 03:46 UTC