UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

10/28/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/27/2021 21:49

Climate Change: UNESCO Commits to a new approach to integrated fire management in the region

Climate change is here and affecting us all. In 2020, hurricanes Eta and Iota devastated much of Central America, affecting more than 8 million people. The Chaco region in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay is suffering its worst drought in over 50 years, putting the livelihoods-- and even the lives-- of millions at risk. This year, South America's second longest river dried out.

The loss of forests is a serious problem and a factor that contributes significantly to the release of carbon dioxide. According to a report by FAO and UNEP, in Latin America between 2000 and 2016, almost 55m hectares of forest were destroyed, in other words, 91% of the world's total loss of forests. Part of this loss was due to out of control wildfires.