It will take years to measure the long-term adverse impacts on the region's biodiversity. In general, the report finds that most countries were not prepared to react to these fires. Gases produced by fire include carbon dioxide and methane which are greenhouse gases that lead to global warming. Other gases are chemically active and lead to the photochemical production of ozone near the ground. Ground level ozone is an irritant and pollutant and has a negative impact on all living systems.
Fire also produces large amounts of particulate matter.
These small solid particles absorb and scatter incoming solar radiation, and, hence, impact planetary climate systems. In addition, smoke particulates smaller than about 2.5 micrometers can easily enter the human respiratory system with resultant health problems. Among the major priorities for UNEP is the development of an emergency response capacity and the strengthening of its early- warning and assessment functions, an issue being addressed at the ongoing UNEP Governing Council session, meeting this week in Nairobi. Through regional case studies using modern information technology tools and geographically consistent data sets, the report assesses the impact the continent's population has on environmental protection processes and their potential for regional conflict or tension. These basins are characterized by growing scarcity of water, increasing population, degradation of shared freshwater ecosystems, and competing demand for the shrinking natural resource base.