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 Central
America/GOES-8 Wildfire ABBA
Forest fires are a major source of greenhouse
gases, which trap heat in the atmosphere and warm the earth’s
surface. By some estimates, fires contribute about 30% of
total yearly carbon dioxide emissions. They’re also a
major source of aerosols, tiny airborne particles that can
cause cooling by blocking the sun’s heat.
To understand the effect of fires, researchers need data from
all over the globe. Satellite-generated maps let researchers
identify areas of fire activity and seek out more detailed
information.
Recent studies show a drop of 3ºC in the Amazon during the
burning season, which could be the result of the cooling effect
of aerosols. But because greenhouse gases persist in the atmosphere
for decades, while aerosols dissipate in a matter of days,
some researchers believe that forest fires still cause warming
over the long run.
Forest fires also remove a major consumer of carbon dioxide—the
trees themselves. But some scientists think forests consume
even more carbon dioxide in the process of regenerating, which
could offset the carbon dioxide produced when they burn.
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glossary terms
