Wildfires are reversing Canada’s progress on improving air quality
The 2023 Canadian wildfire season will not be easily forgotten, as it left a devastating impact on the environment and public health. The University of Chicago’s Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) has released a new report that reveals Canada experienced its worst air pollution levels in 2023 since 1998. The wildfires that ravaged more than 16 million hectares of forest led to serious health consequences, with the average Canadian potentially losing two years of life expectancy due to exposure to harmful emissions of fine particulate matter.
Efforts to curb air pollution have been made globally, including in Canada, but the wildfires have reversed many of the advances made in recent years. Michael Greenstone, one of the report’s authors, emphasized that air pollution poses a significant threat to human well-being, with more years of life expectancy lost to it than to other major health issues.
In 2023, Canadians were exposed to higher levels of PM 2.5 than the national standard, with more than half of the population breathing air that surpassed the limit. While Canada and the U.S. have made progress in reducing air pollution from fossil fuels, the resurgence of wildfires in recent years has brought back the “zombie” of air pollution that was thought to have been controlled.
Dr. Courtney Howard, an emergency room physician, and chair of the Global Climate and Health Alliance, expressed concerns about the underestimation of health impacts caused by wildfire smoke pollution. Recent studies have shown that PM 2.5 from wildfire smoke can have more severe health outcomes than other sources of pollution. The health effects range from respiratory illnesses like asthma to more serious conditions such as strokes and cardiovascular diseases.
The ongoing subsidies for the fossil fuel industry by the government have been a point of contention for many health advocates like Dr. Howard. She highlighted the need to transition away from fossil fuels to prevent further health consequences from air pollution, particularly from wildfires.
As the world continues to grapple with the effects of climate change, it is crucial for individuals to monitor and be aware of the air quality in their respective regions. Government actions to reduce air pollution have shown positive results in countries like China, where significant reductions have been achieved in recent years. Greenstone emphasized the importance of understanding air quality as an indicator for leading healthier and longer lives.
Ultimately, the 2023 Canadian wildfire season serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address air pollution and its detrimental effects on public health.
