Canada's Record-Breaking Wildfires Double Carbon Emissions, Endangering Public Health and Environment

Massive wildfires in Canada have broken multiple records this year, with the EU's Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) reporting that the carbon emissions from the fires have doubled the previous whole-year record. The fires have burned approximately 30 million acres of land, which is larger than the size of Cuba or South Korea.

The smoke from the wildfires has affected over 100 million people and disrupted flights and outdoor events. CAMS has been tracking the fires since May and has noted that the total carbon emissions for this year have already reached double the annual smoke pollution from 2014, the previous record year.

The total wildfire carbon emissions from Canada currently stand at around 290 megatons, far exceeding the previous record of 138 megatons in 2014. With the peak of the fire emissions expected in July and August, the total emissions are likely to continue rising.

Canada's northern boreal forest stores more than 200 billion tonnes of carbon, but when forests burn, they release that carbon into the atmosphere, exacerbating global warming. Public health authorities have issued air quality alerts as the smoke from the wildfires can lead to higher rates of heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory conditions. Currently, there are over 1,040 fires burning in Canada, with around 660 considered out of control.