Peru Struggles to Fight Deadly Wildfires
TimeSep 20
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 Facts
Wildfires have swept through Peruvian grasslands, dry forests, coastal regions, and Amazonian jungles in recent weeks. The Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS) has reported roughly 10.4K fires this year, more than double the previous record from 2020.
Fires have reportedly impacted 22 out of Peru's 24 regions, with at least 20 people reported dead since July and states of emergency declared in six regions, including Lambayeque, Huánuco, Cajamarca, Martin, Ucayali, and Amazonas.
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.