Surviving Climate Disasters: Key Insights from Inside Climate News

Last year, Bolivia faced devastating wildfires that consumed vast areas of forests, wetlands, and ecosystems—an area larger than Indiana. These fires significantly impacted thousands of families, especially Indigenous communities that depend on these natural resources for their livelihoods, culture, and health.

A detailed report by Javier Palummo, the special rapporteur on economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights, highlighted the severe human rights implications of these fires. It pointed out that government actions contributed to the dry conditions that allowed the fires to spread more rapidly and for longer periods.

The report revealed that clashes between national and local governments hampered effective emergency responses. Policies promoting industrial agriculture dried out substantial parts of Bolivia, pushing ecosystems to the brink of destruction. Legislation that legalized previous illegal land clearings and permitted fire in agricultural practices created an environment ripe for disaster. “The expansion of agribusiness in Bolivia is closely linked to the increase in forest fires and deforestation,” the report states.

Neither the Ministry of Environment and Water nor the Bolivian consulate in New York responded to requests for comments. However, Bolivia has long advocated for developing nations to receive financial assistance from wealthier countries, which are the primary contributors to climate change.

Palummo’s report followed his visit to Bolivia, where he met with affected communities and observed the damage firsthand. According to Global Forest Watch data, nearly all deforestation in Bolivia in recent years has stemmed from agricultural growth. From 1996 to 2019, Bolivia lost about 7 million hectares of forest, primarily in Santa Cruz province, the center of last year’s fires.

Deforestation interrupts crucial natural processes that help regulate temperature and moisture in forest ecosystems. Trees play a vital role in absorbing water and releasing moisture. When forests are cleared, these processes are disrupted, leading to hotter and drier conditions.

Bolivia’s fires reached unprecedented levels last year, igniting earlier in the season and with greater speed. Reportedly, 10 million hectares burned, and smoke even traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Scientists have increasingly connected climate change to worsening droughts and elevated temperatures, intensifying fire seasons.

Experts emphasize that this situation highlights a “climate injustice.” Countries like Bolivia, which contribute minimally to global warming, are left to tackle some of the most severe climate challenges. Palummo explained, “The traditional extractive model of development now endangers the very people it intends to help.”

Bolivia’s Indigenous communities, who generally oppose forest degradation, suffered the most from the recent fires. The report underscores the critical connection between Indigenous people and their territories, noting significant losses that threaten their identity and survival.

Over 145,000 children and teenagers faced forced displacement, closed schools, and health issues like respiratory problems due to smoke exposure. Many families lost their food sources as fires destroyed crops and livestock. Rivers also became polluted from agrochemicals, compounding the issues of food supply and water quality.

• Fires ruined essential crops, leading to significant food shortages.
• Severe health problems emerged among adults and children due to smoke inhalation.
• Wildlife, including endangered species, faced habitat loss, further threatening biodiversity.

Despite efforts from the government, which included disaster declarations and deploying fire brigades, responses have focused on immediate actions rather than addressing the root causes of these fires. Palummo argues that Bolivia should develop a comprehensive fire management plan that involves local communities and is based on ecological knowledge.

The report encourages Bolivia to repeal laws that promote deforestation and to engage in thorough environmental and social assessments for development projects. As Bolivia grapples with these challenges, the report calls for wealthier nations to follow through on their climate commitments to help countries like Bolivia transition from harmful development models.

Ultimately, Bolivian fires are part of a larger pattern of climate-related disasters exacerbated by systemic inequalities. Palummo concludes that the crisis reflects broader human rights issues—where the rights to health, water, and a sustainable environment come under threat during climate disasters. This serves as a stark reminder that climate change impacts everyone, but especially those who have done the least to cause it.

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