Australia has recently been alerted to a new wildfire incident in Queensland, marking a continuation of the country's struggle with forest fires. Over the past two decades, Australia has seen a significant fluctuation in tree cover loss, with a notable peak in 2020 when over 2.35 million hectares were lost. Wildfires have been the predominant driver of this loss, contributing to a staggering 68% of the total deforestation in that year alone.
The data shows a concerning trend, with tree cover loss contributing to millions of metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions annually. The years 2019 and 2020 were particularly devastating, with emissions reaching over 361 and 685 million metric tons respectively, largely due to rampant wildfires. Although there has been some gain in tree cover, the net change remains negative, with a 1.03% decrease in tree cover stability.
Explore country profileThe impact on Australia's environment is profound, with the loss of biodiversity and the exacerbation of climate change effects. The country's vast landmass and diverse ecosystems make it particularly vulnerable to the consequences of such environmental degradation. As the latest incident in Queensland reminds us, the challenge of protecting and restoring Australia's forests remains critical.
