In a nutshell
The images of cities engulfed in smoke have shocked the nation, prompting authorities to issue air quality alerts along the East Coast. While scenes like this are rare outside of West Coast states that regularly face wildfires, combating smog is a longstanding battle in many parts of the world. Last year, six of the world's most polluted cities were in India, and air pollution is estimated to be reducing the life expectancy of millions of Indians by up to nine years.
Key quote
The image of the United Nations building in New York, barely visible through orange smog, “is the perfect image for how world leaders have failed at stopping the climate crisis,” tweeted scientist and climate advocate Lucky Tran on Wednesday, adding in a separate post: “Today New Yorkers and East Coasters are experiencing this impact first hand.”
Big picture
Fossil fuel combustion, along with other factors like dust storms and wildfires, releases harmful pollutants such as fine particulate matter into the atmosphere. These pollutants can travel deep into the lungs and bloodstream, leading to various health problems including asthma and heart disease. The exacerbation of wildfires and their subsequent impact on air quality are directly linked to human-caused climate change, emphasizing the urgent need for effective measures to address the climate crisis and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
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