IAWF Takes Stance on Climate Change
The International Association of Wildland Fire Board of Directors has issued a position paper on climate change in recognition of recent assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The board considers the potential effects of climate change on wildland fire to be a significant scientific and management focus.
"We anticipate that many key issues of importance to the IAWF — including firefighter and civilian safety, fire management expenses, the wildland urban interface, and our core understanding of fire science and management — will require greater understanding and recognition of the role of climate change in the years ahead," the paper reads.
The IAWF intends to provide its members with developing information concerning climate change by:
- Continuing to publish the International Journal of Wildland Fire and other educational materials,
- Sponsoring and organizing science, policy and educational conferences that provide networking opportunities and forums for member interaction,
- Serving as a resource for informed science and policy concerning climate change,
- Promoting research and development on climate-related effects on wildland fire as well as the effects of wildland fire on climate as a worthwhile investment of public funds,
- Ensuring a high level of scientific integrity in its publications and academic meetings for knowledge and policy decisions,
- Improving media access to subject-matter experts to promote informed public understanding of wildland fire issues, and
- Fostering interactions with other disciplines when needed to address vital questions.
