Siberian fires not an isolated event, EU earth observatory shows
The devastating Siberian wildfires last year were caused by changing climactic conditions taking place across the planet, according to the latest data from Copernicus, the European Union’s earth observation programme.
Record high temperatures in the Russian Far East, combined with drought and low moisture levels, created the conditions for extensive outbreaks that forced Russia to declare a national emergency last July and deploy its military to help fight the blazes.
A new report released this week by the UN’s World Meteorological Organization shows that the tragedy in Siberia was not an isolated event, but part of broader changes affecting global weather.
The State of the Global Climate 2020 documents the grim milestones passed last year, which was one of the three warmest years on record, and the warmest year ever recorded during a “La Niña” weather event, which usually brings cooling conditions.
The global average surface temperature has risen about 1.2C, compared to the 1850-1900 period, but this heating is not evenly distributed around the planet, and is particularly acute in the Arctic region.
A record 38C — the highest temperature ever inside the Arctic Circle — was recorded in Russia’s Yakutia region in June.
“In 2020, greenhouse gases and global temperatures continue to rise, particularly Arctic temperatures, highlighting that we need to strengthen our efforts to reduce emissions to meet the Paris Agreement targets,” said Samantha Burgess, deputy director of the Copernicus Climate Service.
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