The European Union’s response to wildfires needs more funding, greater focus on forest management and enhanced education about fire risk as the climate changes, according to the head of the bloc’s crisis response.
Climate Change Impact
Wildfires have forced unprecedented evacuations of tens of thousands of people across France and Spain, and torn through a region already battered by a blisteringly hot and dry summer. Hadja Lahbib, the EU’s Crisis Management Commissioner, stated that climate change is accelerating and the EU’s response must evolve just as quickly.
Lahbib emphasized the importance of preparing for risks before disasters strike, rather than simply reacting afterwards. She noted that it is not enough to just purchase more firefighting equipment, and that countries should also be investing more of their EU funding in forest management practices that reduce wildfire risk.
The EU has a limited role in managing wildfires, with responsibility lying with national governments. However, Brussels coordinates the deployment of extra resources pooled from European countries when a country requests emergency help.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
