Tokyo College Event: “Changing Wildfires – How the World Needs to Adapt to Living with Fires”
Details
| Type | Lecture |
|---|---|
| Intended for | General public / Enrolled students / Applying students / International students / Alumni / Companies / High school students / Technical college students / University students / Academic and Administrative Staff |
| Date(s) | February 18, 2026 15:30 — 16:30 |
| Location | Online |
| Venue | Zoom Webinar |
| Entrance Fee | No charge |
| Registration Method | Advance registration required
Zoom Webinar |
| Registration Period | January 16, 2026 — February 18, 2026 |
| Contact | tokyo.college.event@tc.u-tokyo.ac.jp Tokyo College collects personal information in order to provide you with the event URL and information about our current and future activities. Your personal information will not be disclosed to any third parties. |
Abstract
Wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense, even in historically less affected regions. This talk examines the drivers, consequences, and management of changing wildfire dynamics. A more flammable landscape—shaped by climate change, land abandonment, and afforestation—is intensifying fire regimes globally. While most of the 780 million hectares that burn annually are low-intensity savanna fires, high-intensity, destructive wildfires are increasing. Fire is an ancient ecological process with both benefits and harms, shaping ecosystems yet threatening lives and property. As suppression alone is insufficient, I advocate proactive adaptation through prevention, restoration, land-use planning, coordination, and improved fire literacy.Program
LecturerThomas ELMQVIST (Invited Professor, Tokyo College, The University of Tokyo; Professor, Stockholm University)
Commentator
Alexandros GASPARATOS (Professor, Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo)
Moderator
SHIMAZU Naoko (Deputy Director, Tokyo College, The University of Tokyo)
