Peru Struggles to Fight Deadly Wildfires
TimeSEP 14 2024
Report: Wildfires Damaging Peru's Ecosystems
Above: Peruvian activists protest against the ineffectiveness of authorities against forest fires in Andean and Amazonian areas of the country in front of the Congress building in Lima on Sept.18, 2024. Image copyright: Juan Carlos Cisneros/Contributo/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Climate change is quite literally burning South America to the ground, leaving millions of acres of land charred and animals at risk of extinction. This is a global problem that requires an international solution, including curbing fossil fuel emissions and commitments to protecting Indigenous populations. If governments fail to do this, entire generations of animals and humans will face dire consequences.
Narrative B
As the media publishes flashy headlines to make viewers think the entire world is on fire, the truth is that the planet has actually seen a decrease in global burned areas over the past two decades. While North and South America have certainly seen an increase in fires due to particular weather patterns, the same is not true for Africa and Europe. The solution is better land management, not overhauling the energy system.