Recent extreme heatwaves worldwide, exacerbated by climate change, are growing in intensity and frequency, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The 2023 WMO Air Quality and Climate Bulletin highlights the consequences of these heatwaves, shedding light on the often-overlooked impact of resulting pollution.
WMO Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas emphasized that heatwaves not only raise temperatures but also deteriorate air quality, leading to adverse effects on human health, ecosystems, agriculture, and daily life. He stressed the interconnectedness of climate change and air quality, emphasizing that addressing these issues together is crucial to break the detrimental cycle.
The report also underlined the role of wildfires in exacerbating air quality issues. Wildfires have ravaged parts of Canada, Hawaii, and the Mediterranean region, causing significant damage, casualties, and dangerous air quality levels. Smoke plumes from these fires have even traveled across the Atlantic and reached the Arctic.
The report notes that climate change, driven by greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, poses a long-term global threat. It highlights the significant crop losses induced by ozone, with staple food crops experiencing average losses of 4.4% to 12.4%. In specific agricultural regions of East Asia, wheat and soybean losses can be as high as 15% to 30%.
