A report released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has shown that climate change is having a measurable impact on air quality and therefore human health, meaning the two must be tackled together and not in isolation.
“Heatwaves worsen air quality, with knock-on effects on human health, ecosystems, agriculture and indeed our daily lives,” said WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas in a statement. “Climate change and air quality cannot be treated separately. They go hand-in-hand and must be tackled together to break this vicious cycle,”.
Read also: African leaders seek new global tax for climate action
According to the report, the effects of pollution resulting from high temperatures are often overlooked but just as pernicious.
The report cited some examples including the north-western United States, where heatwaves triggered wildfires, as well as heatwaves accompanied by desert dust intrusions across Europe. Both, the report said, led to dangerous air quality in 2022.
Brazilian case studies cited in the report showed how parks and tree-covered areas within cities can improve air quality, absorb carbon dioxide and lower temperatures, thus benefiting inhabitants.
Story was adapted from Reuters.
