As wildfires tend to increase, the number of firefighters decreases across Europe
Despite decades of targeted financial support, the differences in training and equipment across Europe make cooperation challenging and often inefficient.
The price of climate change: EU countries splash out to fight forest fires
A new EU agricultural policy has brought a qualitative change in forest-fire protection. Governments will now spend twice as much as before on measures such as reforestation to reduce soil drying.
Protected areas are highly vulnerable to fire
Fires destroy ecosystems, and the harm is multiplied when protected areas are involved. More than a quarter of all Natura 2000 sites burned in 2021 were located in Italy.
How wildfires can worsen floods
A little-known effect of wildfires is that they weaken the soil, leaving it more vulnerable to rain-related disasters. It is a vicious circle for a country like Italy, which is exposed to both.
Forest and bushfires in Hungary: the canopy rarely burns, but the situation is still serious
In each of the past 12 years, there have been at least 2,600 wildfires in Hungary. The immediate cause is almost always human negligence, but global warming and agricultural methods are to blame as well.
Ukraine’s green transition to freedom
The green transition is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Ukraine, however, not only has to decarbonize, but must do so amidst a war. Despite it, the country is already rebuilding and discussions about greening the economy are vivid.
The share of Europe’s territory at high risk of fire has doubled in the last 50 years
Since 1971, the share of Europe that experiences high or higher weather risk has risen from 20% to almost 40%. But there are big differences between countries.
No clean air in sight: Europe’s worst-affected cities
With the EU voting on new air quality rules, satellite data shows 98% of people face pollution above limits recommended by the World Health Organization.
Birth rates are falling even in Nordic countries: stability is no longer enough
Fertility declines across the European Union, with the South lagging behind. Birth rates in northern countries also show signs of decline as the causes become more structural and unrelated to wealth and stability. What's going on? A data-story.
Rural depopulation is playing a major role in causing fires in Romania
In the fourth part of the "Romania is burning" series, we explain how the emptying of Romanian villages has unforeseen consequences. Where there is no more work, farmlands burn – taking with them forests and protected wildlife.
