“”Air quality does not comply“Said Lorenzo Labrador, scientific officer in the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).” Smoke and pollution that forest fire problems of this record season of the Iberian peninsula have already been detected above Western Europe [and]… Can travel mainly in the rest of the European continent. »»
Presentation of the last WMO Air Quality and Climate Bulletin Who cracks data from different global data sets, Mr. Labrador has announced a continuous model of “degradation” of pollution in the world.
He underlined a world map in 2024 showing markers of fine revealing particles known as “PM 2.5” from forest fires concentrated in deep red spots in Chile, Brazil and Ecuador, as well as Canada, Central Africa and Siberia.
The data confirm a disturbing trend in the loss of air quality already noted in previous years.
“We know that the forest fire season tends to be stronger and longer each year, due to climate change,” said Labrador.
China, Europe gives hope
In more positive news, the OMO scientist underlined a reduction in emissions in certain parts of the world, “in particular East China and Europe, annual».
“”When we see that countries, regions or cities take measures to combat poor air quality, it works“Said Paolo Laj, world atmosphere in WMO.
A good example is East of China, in cities like Shanghai, where progress has been made to increase air quality by opening more parks and planting more trees.
And although there is still heavy vehicle circulation, many are now electric, noted Clare Nullis, OMM spokesperson.
Despite these successes, very few world cities have levels of air quality below those recommended by the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO), said Mr. Laj de WMO. “”This means that, despite recent improvements, air quality remains an important public health problem. “”
He explained that although the main pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxide (NOₓ) decrease as emissions come into play, ozone levels at ground level – the main ingredient of SMOG – have not decreased.
“This is partly a consequence of global warming, because ozone is a secondary pollutant formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere which require sunlight,” continued Mr. Laj.
Covering forest fires, winter fog, shipping emissions and pollution in urban areas, WMO air quality bulletin highlights the close link between air quality and climate change.
“Climate change and air quality cannot be discussed in isolation. They go hand in hand and must be discussed together to protect the health of our planet, our communities and our economies, “said OMM’s deputy secretary general Ko Barrett.
The UN strives to combat household air pollution which is one of the largest public health threats in the world and particularly harmful to children.
“The good news is that the cleaner cooking technology is abundant, relatively inexpensive and already helps to save lives,” insisted Martina Otto, chief of the climate and clean air coalition secretariat organized by the United Nations Environment Program (UNP).
“”The challenge is now to put this technology in the hands of more people. “”
