UNEP’s Frontiers Report identifies and explores areas of emerging or ongoing environmental concern. The 2022 edition, published 17 February 2022, delves into three issues: noise pollution in cities, the growing threat of wildfires and shifts in seasonal events – such as flowering, migration and hibernation, an area of study known as phenology.

Recent years have seen devastating wildfires across the world, from Australia to Peru. The trends towards more dangerous fire-weather conditions are likely to increase, due to rising concentrations of atmospheric greenhouse gases and the attendant escalation of wildfire risk factors. The next decade will be critical in building greater resilience and adaptive capacity to wildfires – including on the wildland-urban interface. In particular, further research should address vulnerable groups’ exposure to hazards before, during and after extreme wildfires and action taken to increase efforts to prevent and prepare for wildfires.

This report helps us understand that learning from ecosytems and how to live within them in harmony are objectives that we all need to adopt. The Frontiers Report aims to poise good science to inform responsible policies that back a healthy environment.

Read the Report here.

Further interactive resources are available on the UNEP Project Page here.