Four books that explain why the world is burning
This article reviews four books that examine the increasing prevalence and severity of wildfires globally. The authors explore the intersection of climate change, human activity, and disaster management in what some call the 'Pyrocene' era.
Why it matters
Understanding the changing nature of wildfires is critical for disaster preparedness and climate policy as megafires become more frequent.
Wildfires are a clear signs of the profound changes reshaping the Earth’s climate. The fires that have been dominating the news across Europe are fiercer and spread faster than many seen before, crossing the natural barriers that would once have helped contain them. Some are even predicted to last until November. Their scale and ferocity have turned several wildfires into megafires capable of generating their own weather systems, creating the conditions for ignition. Given their increasing prevalence, are we entering the Pyrocene?
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