Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
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)
00:00 Introduction
04:48 Lecture
33:30 Discussion
46:37 Q&A
---------------------------------------------------------------
Tokyo College invites leading researchers and intellectuals from around the globe to come together and engage in open discussions about the future of society.
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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)
00:00 Introduction
04:48 Lecture
33:30 Discussion
46:37 Q&A
---------------------------------------------------------------
Tokyo College invites leading researchers and intellectuals from around the globe to come together and engage in open discussions about the future of society.
・Subscribe to Mail Magazine 【メールマガジン登録】
tc.u-tokyo.ac.jp/subscribe
・Tokyo College Website 【東京カレッジウェブサイト】
tc.u-tokyo.ac.jp
・東京カレッジへの寄付はこちらから。寄付者限定イベント等も予定しています。
utf.u-tokyo.ac.jp/project/pjt138
・X (Twitter)
https://x.com/CollegeTokyo
/ utokyo.tokyocollege
