Record Wildfires Fuel Carbon Emissions in Brazil and Portugal

Brazil is experiencing a significant increase in carbon emissions due to rampant wildfires in the Amazon and Pantanal regions, with emissions in 2024 already reaching approximately 183 megatons, nearing levels seen in record-setting 2007. The European Union's Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) reported that emissions from Brazil's wildfires accounted for 35% of this total in September alone, primarily driven by human activity and exacerbated by extreme weather conditions. In Bolivia, wildfire emissions have also reached unprecedented levels, exceeding previous records as the region faces severe drought and high temperatures. Meanwhile, Portugal is grappling with its worst wildfire season in a decade, resulting in the highest carbon emissions for September in 22 years, with over 1.9 megatons recorded. The fires across both regions have raised concerns about air quality and the broader environmental impacts, as smoke has traveled far beyond the affected areas. Experts warn that unless urgent interventions are implemented, the ecological consequences could be dire, particularly for sensitive areas like the Pantanal.