Air Pollution's Climate Change Impact: What's The Truth?

Air pollution and climate change are two sides of the same coin. Burning fossil fuels, transport, industrial emissions, and agriculture are some of the shared causes of air pollution and climate change. Air pollution is the leading environmental cause of illness and premature death, with fine particulate matter causing 6.4 million deaths annually. Climate change, on the other hand, is causing more frequent and intense wildfires, which contribute to air pollution and harm human health. As a result, it is imperative to address these issues together, focusing on protecting people's health and well-being, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Climate change increases ground-level ozone, a harmful greenhouse gas

Air pollution and climate change are closely linked. Certain air pollutants can cause climate change, and climate change can, in turn, worsen air quality. Climate change can lead to more frequent and intense wildfires, which release smoke that pollutes the air and travels to other regions. Warmer temperatures associated with climate change can also increase the amount of ground-level ozone, a harmful greenhouse gas.

Ozone is a gas that exists in two layers of the atmosphere: the stratosphere (upper layer) and the troposphere (lower layer, up to 10 km above ground level). In the stratosphere, ozone forms a protective layer that shields life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. However, in the troposphere, ozone is a powerful greenhouse gas and air pollutant. It is a major component of smog and has harmful effects on human health, agricultural crops, and ecosystems.

Tropospheric or ground-level ozone is a short-lived climate pollutant, remaining in the atmosphere for only a few hours to weeks. It does not have direct emission sources but is formed by the interaction of sunlight with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted primarily by human activities. These precursor pollutants come from sources such as cars and other vehicles, fossil fuel power plants, oil refineries, and the agriculture sector.

The warming climate associated with climate change can increase the formation of ground-level ozone. Hot, sunny days can enhance the atmospheric reactions that produce ground-level ozone, leading to higher concentrations. This increase in ground-level ozone further contributes to climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere and altering evaporation, cloud formation, and atmospheric circulation.

The impact of ground-level ozone on human health and the environment is significant. Breathing ground-level ozone can lead to respiratory illnesses, trigger asthma, and cause permanent lung damage. It is responsible for a substantial number of premature deaths each year. Additionally, ground-level ozone disrupts the growth of agricultural crops, reducing crop yields and impacting food security.

Wildfires are more common due to climate change, worsening air quality

Climate change and air pollution are two sides of the same coin. While climate change can worsen air quality, certain air pollutants can also contribute to climate change.

One of the ways climate change worsens air quality is by increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires. Wildfire smoke contains a noxious mix of chemicals that not only impair visibility and disrupt human activities but also negatively impact air quality and human health. In 2020, wildfires burned over 10 million acres of land in the United States, the highest amount ever recorded. The 2023 wildfire season in Canada also set a multi-decade record in terms of the total area burned, with seven times more hectares burned than the 1990–2013 average. The smoke from these wildfires spread as far as southern Greenland and Western Europe, causing worsening air quality in these regions.

The chemicals in wildfire smoke include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and PM2.5, which have detrimental effects on human health. Exposure to wildfire smoke can worsen respiratory illnesses such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchitis. It has also been linked to premature births and deaths. In fact, about one-third of all particulate matter pollution in the United States comes from wildfire smoke, with the proportion being closer to 50% in the western part of the country.

The increase in wildfires is attributed to the warming climate, which leads to more intense and persistent heat and droughts. These conditions fuel the risk of wildfires, creating a vicious cycle where climate change increases wildfires, which in turn worsen air quality and contribute to further climate change through the release of more carbon emissions and greenhouse gases.

To break this cycle, interdisciplinary research and collaboration are key. By understanding the intricate relationship between climate change, wildfires, and air pollution, we can develop effective strategies to protect and improve air quality, human health, and the environment.

Warmer temperatures increase pollen, causing more allergies and illnesses

Warmer temperatures and higher carbon dioxide concentrations are causing plants to lengthen their pollen season and increase the amount of pollen they produce. This means higher rates of allergy attacks, asthma, and emergency room visits, particularly for children.

As the climate warms, plants bloom earlier in the spring, overlap with other species, and even start growing in new locations. This means that not just the timing of the allergy season will shift but also where it is happening. Ragweed, for example, is expected to migrate farther north as the environment becomes more suitable.

Pollen is an airborne allergen that can affect our health. Pollen grains are tiny "seeds" dispersed from flowering plants, trees, grass, and weeds. The amount and type of pollen in the air depend on the season and geographic region. Though pollen counts are typically higher during the warmer seasons, some plants pollinate year-round. As temperatures rise, pollen seasons get warmer and longer, and allergies may worsen.

Allergies to pollen are often worse in spring and could get even worse as temperatures rise. Many people are allergic to the fine and powdery pollen shed by trees, including willows. Around 30% of the world's population has pollen-related allergies, and pollen has major health consequences for millions of children who struggle with asthma. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, allergic asthma is the most common type of asthma and is most prevalent in early childhood. Seasonal allergies and asthma can also affect children's quality of life, including school performance, mood, and sleep in adolescents aged 10-19 years.

Addressing air pollution is key to tackling the climate challenge. Regulatory initiatives, partnership programs, and individual actions can all help reduce air pollutants that harm human health, as well as greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.

Air pollution and climate change are two sides of the same coin

Air pollution is the contamination of air by toxic or polluting particles and gases, which can have severe impacts on public health, ecosystems, and the Earth's climate. Fine air pollution particles or aerosols, also known as fine particulate matter or PM2.5, are responsible for 6.4 million deaths every year from various diseases. These include ischemic heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, type 2 diabetes, and neonatal disorders.

Climate change, on the other hand, is causing more frequent and intense wildfires, longer wildfire seasons, and extreme weather events, all of which contribute to increased levels of air pollution. Wildfire smoke, for instance, can lower air quality, impair visibility, trigger respiratory illnesses, and even lead to premature births. Additionally, climate change can lengthen pollen seasons and increase pollen production, causing more allergy-related illnesses.

The link between air pollution and climate change is evident in the impact of ground-level ozone. Hot sunny days associated with a warming climate can increase ground-level ozone, which is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere. Similarly, black carbon, a particulate pollutant from combustion, is a significant contributor to global warming and is often a component of wildfire smoke.

Addressing air pollution and climate change together is crucial, especially in low- and middle-income countries, to protect human health, strengthen human capital, and reduce poverty. Strategies such as transitioning to renewable energy sources, greening public transport, reducing industrial emissions, and improving land management practices can help tackle both issues simultaneously. By focusing on these joint solutions, we can improve air quality, mitigate climate change, and protect the health and well-being of communities worldwide.

Burning fossil fuels is a major cause of air pollution and climate change

Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, released from burning fossil fuels, trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change. The average global temperature has already risen by 1°C, and surpassing the critical 1.5°C threshold risks further extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, species extinction, and food scarcity. These temperature increases also impact air quality by increasing ground-level ozone, which is harmful to human health and a significant driver of climate change.

The burning of fossil fuels emits toxic air pollutants that have severe health consequences, particularly for children. Exposure to these pollutants can cause respiratory illnesses, behavioural and cognitive development issues, and other chronic diseases. Fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, from the burning of fossil fuels is among the most toxic and detrimental to health, causing approximately 6.4 million deaths annually from various diseases. The economic cost of health damage caused by air pollution is substantial, amounting to $8.1 trillion annually, or 6.1% of global GDP.

Climate change, driven in part by the combustion of fossil fuels, also increases the frequency and severity of wildfires. Wildfire smoke reduces air quality, impairs visibility, and poses significant health risks, particularly for those with respiratory conditions. Additionally, climate change lengthens the pollen season and increases pollen production, leading to more allergy-related illnesses such as asthma and hay fever.

To address the interconnected issues of air pollution and climate change, a joint effort is necessary. Reducing air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion will improve air quality and mitigate climate change, particularly benefiting vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries. Transitioning to renewable energy sources and implementing regulatory initiatives are crucial steps towards tackling these pressing global challenges.

Frequently asked questions