Canada’s wildfires, which have so far burned 20 million acres, are taking a toll on that nation’s economy.
The fires have disrupted oil and gas operations, reduced timber harvests, dampened tourism and imposed significant financial expenditures on the national health system.
Environmentalists have warned that the losses are emblematic of the pressure being felt more widely as countries around the world experience disasters caused by extreme weather.
Such disasters will only increase as the global climate warms, they say.
Still, Canada is better positioned than many countries closer to the equator.
Climate warming could allow for longer farming seasons, but increasing volatility might wipe out any potential gains.
According to the Canadian Climate Institute, climate-related costs could surpass 25 billion Canadian dollars in 2025, cutting economic growth in half.
