WMO warns wildfires and heatwaves worsen global air pollution
The World Meteorological Organization's Air Quality and Climate Bulletin links rising heatwaves and extreme wildfires to increases in fine PM2.5, black carbon, ground-level ozone and airborne microplastics, and warns these trends threaten human health and ecosystems. The report cites studies showing extreme fire-smoke events have tripled since the 1990s and contributed to nearly 100,000 additional deaths per year between 2010 and 2018, and warns that conventional PM2.5 risk models may underestimate wildfire-attributable mortality by up to 93 percent. The bulletin calls for better monitoring of aerosols and coordinated air quality and climate policies.
Wildfires and heatwaves are increasing toxic airborne pollutants worldwide
Context
Heatwaves and wildfires are increasing in many places. The WMO report links these events to worse air pollution. Better monitoring and coordinated policies could follow.
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