Africa: Heatwaves, Wildfires Setting Back Air Quality Improvements

What the report says

United Nations weather and air-quality experts are warning that rising wildfires and heatwaves are slowing progress on cleaner air across the world, according to a report published by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and carried by The Namibian via AllAfrica. The report says climate-driven smoke and heat are affecting regions that had previously reduced pollution from vehicles and industry, with smoke from fires and hotter conditions increasing ground-level ozone.

The WMO report highlights wildfire smoke as a growing health concern because it contains fine particles and toxic compounds that can worsen asthma, COPD and other respiratory problems. It also points to links with mental health and birth outcomes. The article notes that one study cited in the report connects a tripling of wildfires since the 1990s with nearly 100,000 deaths a year between 2010 and 2018.

The bulletin also focuses on PM2.5, tiny airborne particles that are harmful to both health and climate. These particles come from fossil fuel use, farming, heating, transport, wildfires and dust storms. In addition to directly affecting lungs and the bloodstream, some aerosols influence clouds and climate patterns, while black carbon settling on snow and ice can speed melting.

WMO scientific officer Lorenzo Labrador said air quality and climate should be treated together, arguing that cutting greenhouse gas emissions would also reduce pollutants that damage air quality. The report’s broader message is that extreme fires, heat and pollution are reinforcing one another, creating a feedback loop that could deepen environmental and public-health risks.