Amid memories of the 2023 Canadian wildfire season, where over 16 million hectares of forest were destroyed and numerous individuals were displaced while cities in Canada and the U.S. were engulfed in smoke, a recent report by the University of Chicago’s Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) has revealed that Canada faced its worst air pollution levels in 2023 since 1998. These pollution levels did not show significant changes globally that year.
The report indicates that if the pollution levels persisted throughout a person’s lifetime, the average Canadian could lose approximately two years of life expectancy. Despite efforts worldwide, including in Canada, to reduce harmful emissions of fine particulate matter known as PM 2.5, wildfires have been undoing the progress, leading to severe health implications.
Michael Greenstone, one of the report’s authors, emphasized that air pollution poses a significant threat to human well-being globally. In fact, more life expectancy years are lost due to air pollution compared to maternal and child malnutrition, alcohol, or tobacco consumption.
Canada’s national average for PM 2.5 is 8.8 micrograms per cubic meter, slightly above the World Health Organization’s standard of five. In 2023, Canadians were exposed to 9.2 micrograms per cubic meter, a 1.5 times increase from 2022 levels, with over half of the population breathing air exceeding the national standard.
While both Canada and the U.S. have made strides in curbing air pollution over the years, particularly through the regulation of fossil fuel emissions, the spike observed in 2023 has been concerning. The resurgence of air pollution from wildfires in these countries has been likened to a returning “zombie” threat.
The health impacts of wildfire smoke and air pollution could be underestimated, with 2025 marking the second-worst wildfire year on record. Research suggests that as greenhouse gas emissions rise, wildfires will continue to escalate, posing further health risks. Dr. Courtney Howard, an emergency room physician, expressed concerns over the underestimation of health outcomes linked to wildfire smoke pollution, as it can lead to severe health conditions like asthma, strokes, and cardiovascular diseases.
The continued support for the fossil fuel industry despite the evident health risks posed by air pollution, including wildfire smoke, remains a point of frustration for experts. The analogy of the resurgence of air pollution through wildfires being the “ghost of fossil fuels past” highlights the persistent challenges faced.
The report underscores the importance of monitoring air quality in localities and the need for global government action to address air pollution. Progress has been seen in countries like China, which has witnessed a significant reduction in air pollution levels in recent years.
Understanding that air pollution impacts people’s health and quality of life significantly, Greenstone stressed the urgency of taking measures to ensure cleaner and healthier environments for all.
