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5 Graphics Explain the Climate-Fire Feedback Loop

Provided by: Global Forest Watch |Published on: September 9, 2025

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Synopsis

This resource from Global Forest Watch uses graphics to explain how wildfires are exacerbated by climate change and also further exacerbate climate change, creating a self-perpetuating feedback loop.
Students will look at charts, graphs, and maps to see how climate conditions and fires affect each other.

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Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences

Authors: Global Forest Watch

Region: Global

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Positives

Some of the graphics have interactive components, which will keep students engaged and interested.
This resource is organized in a way that makes the content easy for students to follow and find.

Prerequisites

Students should understand that carbon is stored in trees and that photosynthesis removes carbon from the air and stores much of it in plants.

Differentiation & Implementation

Teachers can post the different graphics and their descriptions around the room and have students go around to them in stations. The second graphic will need to be displayed with an internet connection, as it is interactive.
If there is limited class time, teachers can have groups of students analyze one of the graphs and report their findings to the rest of the class in a jigsaw format.
After reading the article, students can discuss ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Students can also look into wildfire management strategies. For example, students can look into prescribed burns using this lesson.
To make connections to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, teachers can ask students to analyze how, in this case, addressing Goal 13, Climate Action, can help to address Goal 3, Good Health and Well-Being, and Goal 15, Life on Land.

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About the Partner Provider

Global Forest Watch

Global Forest Watch (GFW) is an online platform that provides data and tools for monitoring forests. By harnessing cutting-edge technology, GFW allows anyone to access near real-time information about where and how forests are changing around the world. GFW is used every day to monitor and manage forests, stop illegal deforestation and fires, call out unsustainable activities, defend land and resources, sustainably source commodities, and conduct research at the forefront of conservation.

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All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.