The scent of the future

The current heat and drought conditions are not a new normal; rather, the new normal is characterized by record-breaking temperatures, expanding fire zones, and the pervasive smell of smoke. The world is increasingly dotted with areas of fire and smoke, with some regions so devastated that they are no longer colored as burning simply because there is nothing left for the fire to consume.

Croatia is among the nations grappling with this crisis. Last week, one of the dozen major fires in the country threatened the town of Omiš in Dalmatia. While firefighters managed to save the town itself, parts of its southern suburbs were impacted, and residents have begun the arduous process of rebuilding. Even as smoke lingered over the scorched settlements and firefighting continued in the higher forests for a third consecutive day, beaches in Omiš remained crowded with people.

This situation is not isolated to Croatia. Countries such as Zambia, Ukraine, Indonesia, Russia, Peru, Brazil, China, Portugal, France, Bolivia, and others are also contending with extensive wildfires. The global map is increasingly marked by these events, highlighting a widespread environmental emergency.

The article suggests that the escalating frequency and intensity of these fires, coupled with extreme weather events, point towards a significant and ongoing environmental challenge that affects numerous regions across the globe.