A global increase in heatwaves, and the associated environmental conditions giving rise to longer and more intense wildfires, could negatively affect air quality and pollution levels in the decades ahead, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Wednesday in its Air Quality and Climate Bulletin. “As the globe warms, wildfires and associated air pollution are expected to increase, even under a low emissions scenario,” WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas said in a statement. This is a foretaste of the future because we expect a further increase in the frequency, intensity and duration of heatwaves, which could lead to even worse air quality, a phenomenon known as the “climate penalty,” he said. The WMO Air Quality and Climate Bulletin comes out once a year and looks at air quality and how it links with changes in climate. “However, at continental scales, some regions are experiencing increasing trends, including parts of western North America, the Amazon and Australia.”Lowered emissions would help halt air quality declineThe WMO renewed calls to respect the Paris climate agreement saying in addition to halting global temperature increase, it will also help halt contributions to degrading air quality.

Source: CBC News September 07, 2022 14:58 UTC