Canada’s Wildfire Smoke Smashes Annual Pollution Record in Just Seven Months

The headlines say it all. Canada is on track to smash its all-time record for air pollution this year, and it’s all due to smoke from raging wildfires. The country has already endured seven months of unprecedented levels of smoke, prompting health warnings and forcing many Canadians to stay inside. This is a serious reminder of the alarming effects of climate change, and the urgent need to take action now.

Wildfires are a natural part of Canada’s summer landscape, with areas like British Columbia and Alberta experiencing annual blazes. But this year, the sheer intensity of the infernos has been overwhelming. Hot weather and low levels of precipitation have provided an ideal environment for blazes to thrive. The number of fires spread across the country is higher than normal, and the smoke generated is penetrating deep into Canada’s populated cities and towns.

The result has been stunningly high levels of air pollution, with CBC News reporting that some parts of British Columbia have seen nine times more pollution compared to the same time last year. This is made worse by the fact that the dense, smoky air is lingering for longer periods of time in some areas. Canada’s Wildfires Smoke daily Air Quality Health Index has already exceeded 200 in parts of the country – a level considered increasingly rare and hazardous for some vulnerable populations.

The health risks of living in a smoke-filled environment are serious. It’s been estimated that breathing in these levels of smog can be just as damaging to the lungs as smoking cigarettes. In some parts of Canada, air quality is worse indoors than out, prompting health experts to advise people to minimize their outdoor activities.

In the long term, the only way to reduce the extreme levels of air pollution caused by wildfires is to tackle climate change head-on. Canada has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and encouraging people to switch to renewable energy sources. But much more needs to be done if we are to prevent future pollution records from being broken year after year.

The current pollution levels show that even the most developed countries can fall victim to climate change. It’s never been more important to support global efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change, and to prioritize the environment in our daily lives.