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Wildfires Reversing Gains in Global Air Quality

Why in the News ?

The Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) 2025 report highlights that wildfires in Canada and the U.S. have drastically increased air pollution levels, reversing decades of progress in reducing particulate matter pollution, and posing severe threats to life expectancy and human health.

Findings of the 2025 AQLI Report:

  • Canada:

    • 2025 ranks as second-worst wildfire season in history.
    • Over 50% of Canadians breathed polluted air exceeding national standards (8 µg/m³) compared to <5% in previous five years.
    • 2023 wildfires caused over 50% rise in PM2.5 levels compared to 2022.
  • United States:

    • Saw a 20% increase in pollution levels.
    • Traditionally, California was most polluted; now pollution shifts to Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and parts of the South due to Canadian wildfire smoke.
  • Global Trends:

    • 5 rose from 23.7 µg/m³ (2022) to 24.1 µg/m³ (2023).
    • This is five times WHO’s safe limit.
  • Health Impacts:

    • Pollution worse than tobacco, HIV-AIDS, road accidents, or malnutrition in terms of life years lost.
    • Professor Michael Greenstone: “Particulate matter remains the greatest external threat to human health on the planet.”

Significance and Concerns:

  • Climate Linkage:

    • Wildfires are climate-supercharged, driven by rising temperatures and droughts due to greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Reversal of Gains:

    • Decades of progress in reducing air pollution in North America now being undone.
  • Global Relevance:

    • Pollution is a transboundary challenge; smoke crosses borders affecting multiple regions.
  • Policy Relevance:

    • Calls for climate mitigation, better forest management, and international cooperation to combat worsening air pollution.

About Air Pollution and AQLI :

●      Air Pollution Basics:

○       Fine particulate matter (PM2.5): particles with diameter ≤ 2.5 micrometres.

○       Causes respiratory, cardiovascular diseases, and reduces life expectancy.

○       WHO safe limit: 5 µg/m³.

●      Air Quality Life Index (AQLI):

○       Developed by the Energy Policy Institute, University of Chicago.

○       Uses satellite data (since 1998) to measure pollution and its impact on life expectancy.

○       Recognised globally as a key pollution-health index.

●      India Context:

○       India remains among the most polluted countries, with PM2.5 levels often 6–7 times above WHO standards.