The excessive heatwaves witnessed by the world lately are growing in depth and frequency on account of local weather change. This excessive warmth, compounded by wildfires and desert mud, is having a measurable impression on air high quality, human well being and the setting, in keeping with a brand new report from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

The 2023 WMO Air Quality and Climate Bulletin, the third in an annual collection, places the highlight on heatwaves to attract consideration to the truth that it’s not simply excessive temperatures which can be a hazard, but additionally the impacts of ensuing air pollution which are sometimes ignored however are simply as pernicious.

“Heatwaves worsen air quality, with knock-on effects on human health, ecosystems, agriculture and indeed our daily lives,” mentioned WMO Secretary-General Prof Petteri Taalas. “Climate change and air quality cannot be treated separately. They go hand-in-hand and must be tackled together to break this vicious cycle.”

“Wildfires have roared through huge swathes of Canada, caused tragic devastation and death in Hawaii, and also inflicted major damage and casualties in the Mediterranean region. This has caused dangerous air quality levels for many millions of people, and sent plumes of smoke across the Atlantic and into the Arctic,” Prof Taalas acknowledged.

Climate change brought on by heat-trapping greenhouse gases from human actions is a long-term world menace, the report defined.

Globally, ozone-induced crop losses common 4.4–12.4 per cent for staple meals crops, with wheat and soybean losses as excessive as 15–30 per cent in key agricultural areas of East Asia.