Wildfire Smoke is a Rising Global Challenge to Clean Air

Wildfires are not just a local concern anymore. Their smoky reach is stretching across the globe, and with it, they bring an unexpected consequence: a significant dip in the air quality, reversing decades of clean air progress.

Source: Healthcare Triage/YouTube

Imagine walking across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, but instead of the clear blue sky, you see a hazy, dark yellow hue overshadowing the skyscrapers. This isn’t a scene from a dystopian movie but a reality for many Americans, as smoke from Canadian wildfires turned the New York City sky a stark yellow this past June.

Recent reports have brought attention to an alarming fact: smoke from increasingly larger and more frequent fires is hampering the hard-earned improvements in air quality. This isn’t just an issue in the US. Globally, over two billion people experienced at least one day of smoke-induced air pollution each year from 2010 to 2019.

In the US, 25% of the progress in reducing air pollution has been offset by wildfire smoke. What’s even more concerning is that while many associate this problem with the western states, areas to the East Coast are feeling the effects.

While climate change is propelling this uptick in fires, the direct threat to our health is even more concerning. The smoke from these wildfires contains pollutants, notably PM 2.5, tiny particles that infiltrate our lungs and bloodstream.

Historically, the US has seen a general improvement in air Pollution since the 1970s, thanks to the Clean Air Act. However, around 2016, there was a noticeable upswing in PM 2.5 levels, majorly influenced by wildfire smoke. This impact isn’t isolated to the West Coast. Even states in New England have seen their air quality stagnate after years of positive trends.

In the global context, poorer countries are facing even graver challenges. Research led by Monash University in Australia reveals that people worldwide experienced nearly 10 days of wildfire smoke exposure every year in the last decade, with much higher concentrations in less affluent nations.

Addressing this issue is complex and can’t be approached in the same way as industrial pollution. As we work towards policy solutions and adapt to the changing climate, one thing is clear: mitigating the impacts of wildfires is a global challenge that requires immediate and concerted efforts.

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