WMO Report Highlights Vicious Cycle of Climate Change, Wildfires, and Air Pollution

The report details how particulate matter from wildfires degrades air quality and adversely affects crop yields.

A new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) underscores the escalating negative impact of climate change, wildfires, and air pollution on human health, ecosystems, and agriculture. Released in honor of Clean Air for Blue Skies Day on September 7, the WMO Air Quality and Climate Bulletin emphasizes the urgent need to address these intertwined challenges.

The report, part of the WMO’s annual series, delves into the complex relationship between air quality and climate. It highlights how pollutants and greenhouse gases are co-emitted, leading to a reciprocal impact on both air quality and climate. Ambient air pollution, responsible for over 4.5 million premature deaths annually, also incurs significant economic and environmental costs.

The bulletin provides a special focus on wildfires, which have intensified in 2023 and continue to be a major source of air pollution. The report details how particulate matter from wildfires degrades air quality and adversely affects crop yields.

“Climate change and air quality are inextricably linked and must be addressed in tandem,” stated Ko Barrett, WMO Deputy-Secretary-General. “Understanding and acting on their interrelationship is crucial for improving the health of our planet, its people, and our economies.”

The report notes that the first eight months of 2024 have continued the troubling trends observed in 2023, with intense heat and persistent droughts exacerbating the risk of wildfires and air pollution. Barrett emphasized the need for interdisciplinary science and research to find effective solutions to these pressing issues.

As the world grapples with these challenges, the WMO urges immediate action to mitigate the impacts of air pollution and climate change, highlighting the need for integrated strategies to protect public health and the environment.