Wildfires: past, present and future – Prof Andrew Scott
Geologist Prof Andrew Scott on our complex relationship with wildfires.
In the last few weeks, wildfires have been hitting the headlines worldwide. Greece has experienced the worst wildfires in Europe this century, with 92 so far confirmed dead, while major fires have also hit Sweden, California, Canada and even the UK.
Wildfires have been a feature of our planet for millions of years, and we’ve long lived alongside them. So why do we struggle to tame them, and what can we do to lessen their impact? Professor Andrew Scott is a geologist and fire expert at Royal Holloway, University of London who's book Burning Planet: The Story of Fire Through Time (£20, OUP) on the subject.
Our Staff Writer James Lloyd chatted to him to find out more.
Did you enjoy this podcast? If you liked what you heard, then why not subscribe and leave us a review? You can find us on iTunes, Acast, Stitcher, and many of your favourite podcast apps.
Listen to more Science Focus Podcast episodes:
- Solving the plastic problem
- What's the deal with algorithms?
- Is there anybody out there?
- The truth about dinosaurs
- Changing our behaviour with virtual reality
- Transhumanism - using technology to live forever
Follow Science Focus on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Flipboard
Sponsored Deals
May Half Price Sale
- Save up to 52% when you subscribe to BBC Science Focus Magazine.
- Risk - free offer! Cancel at any time when you subscribe via Direct Debit.
- FREE UK delivery.
- Stay up to date with the latest developments in the worlds of science and technology.
