Changing Wildfires – How the World Needs to Adapt to Living with Fires (Lecture by Prof. Thomas ELMQVIST)

Zoom Webinar (Register here)

Wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense, even in historically less affected regions. This talk examines the drivers, consequences, and management of changing wildfire dynamics. A more flammable landscape—shaped by climate change, land abandonment, and afforestation—is intensifying fire regimes globally. While most of the 780 million hectares that burn annually are low-intensity savanna fires, high-intensity, destructive wildfires are increasing. Fire is an ancient ecological process with both benefits and harms, shaping ecosystems yet threatening lives and property. As suppression alone is insufficient, I advocate proactive adaptation through prevention, restoration, land-use planning, coordination, and improved fire literacy.

Lecturer
Thomas ELMQVIST (Invited Professor, Tokyo College, The University of Tokyo; Professor, Stockholm University)

Commentator
Alexandros GASPARATOS (Professor, Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo)

Moderator
OSHIMA Marie (Deputy Director, Tokyo College, The University of Tokyo)