2022-06-16

SARDINIA - EVIA - The Mediterranean basin is a hotspot of the climate crisis, with average temperatures rising above global trends. Heat waves, droughts and a combination of anthropogenic factors are provoking new generations of wildfires that are devastating for ecosystems and for human societies.

Summer 2021’s wildfires were particularly devastating in Southern Europe, and many studies are urging for mitigation measures. A cross-border investigation dug into the close relation between rural abandonment and uncontrolled wildering of woodlands/agricultural areas and climate change, as common causes of mega-fires in Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Spain. The investigation attempts to go beyond common headlines and reveal a change of paradigm needed to mitigate the unfolding climatic scenarios, in particular in areas already marginalized and economically fragile. The result of the investigation shows very similar patterns across the cases and gathers the human stories of those who survived the last season of wildfires, their fears and their perspectives for the future.

Team members

Gian-Paolo Accardo

Gian-Paolo Accardo is an Italian-Dutch journalist based in Brussels and Paris.

Gian-Paolo Accardo

Elvira Krithari

Elvira Krithari is a Greek journalist working at ERT- Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation.

Elvira Krithari

Janine Louloudi

Janine is a Greek journalist and producer.

Janine Louloudi

María Álvarez del Vayo González

María is a journalist working at CIVIO, Spain, specialising in research, data and visualisation.

María Álvarez del Vayo González

Chloé Emmanouilidis

Chloe is a freelance journalist working for AFP based in Nicosia Cyprus.

Chloé Emmanouilidis

Marcello Rossi

Marcello Rossi is an Italy-based freelance journalist.

Marcello Rossi

Davide Mancini

Davide is a freelance journalist and video-maker based in Brussels.

Davide Mancini
Mentor

Staffan Dahllöf

Staffan Dahllöf is a freelance reporter based in Copenhagen, specialised in FOI.

Staffan Dahllöf

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