Russian forest fires to exacerbate global warming – ecologists
High carbon dioxide emissions from forest fires raging across Central Russia could speed up the global process warming, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) ecologists said.
During the weekend at least 270 new forest fires and two new peat bog fires had been reported, while 276 fires were extinguished. There were 554 fires burning in an area of more than 190,000 hectares, RIA Novosti reports.
WWF ecologists said the forest fires and the carbon monoxide emissions are part of the vicious circle of global warming. An increase in carbon dioxide emissions leads to a warm, drought-friendly climate, which in turn leads to an increased threat of forest fires.
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The experts said the level of carbon dioxide remains high long after the fires are extinguished because rotting trees release the compound into the air. As a result, burnt forests can release more carbon dioxide than they absorb for up to 30 years.
