MUSCAT: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that wildfires are becoming a major contributor to worsening air pollution worldwide, according to its latest Air Quality and Climate Bulletin. The agency explained that fires, intensified by climate change, release harmful pollutants that can spread across entire continents. These emissions significantly increase fine particulate matter, particularly PM 2.5, which is small enough to penetrate the lungs and cardiovascular system, posing serious health risks. Last year’s wildfires resulted in elevated PM 2.5 levels across Canada, Siberia, and central Africa, with the Amazon basin experiencing the sharpest surge.
WMO officials stressed that climate change and air pollution cannot be addressed separately, as their combined impact threatens ecosystems, infrastructure, and human health. Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett emphasized the urgent need for integrated global policies, highlighting that both the environment and economies face long-term consequences without coordinated action. Scientific experts further noted that Canadian wildfires in 2024 not only affected North America but also degraded air quality in Europe under favorable meteorological conditions, demonstrating the global reach of the problem.
The report described wildfire emissions as a “witches’ brew” of pollutants, underlining the severity of their toxic composition. WMO Scientific Officer Lorenzo Labrador confirmed that recurring fire events are making cross-continental air pollution more common, underscoring the importance of early warning systems and cross-border cooperation. The World Health Organization has estimated that over 4.5 million premature deaths each year are linked to air pollution, further highlighting the deadly consequences of insufficient environmental action.
WMO experts also pointed to examples of progress, noting that cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and major urban centers in Europe and the United States have managed to significantly improve air quality through stringent policy measures. Paolo Laj, head of the WMO’s global atmosphere division, said these cases prove that proactive strategies can work. However, he cautioned that no single solution exists, and that lasting results require consistent monitoring, policy enforcement, and global collaboration to protect human health and reduce economic losses linked to pollution.
