Report on Cross-Border Air Pollution from Canadian Wildfires and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Impact on Public Health and Well-being (SDG 3)

Transboundary smoke from extensive wildfires in Canada has led to significant air quality degradation across the United States, directly challenging the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being. The influx of particle pollution has resulted in air quality levels classified as “moderate” and “unhealthy for sensitive groups” in the Midwest and Northeast.

• Data from the American Lung Association (ALA) indicates that nearly half of the U.S. population resides in areas with unhealthy air pollution levels, a situation exacerbated by wildfire events.
• Prolonged exposure to polluted air poses severe health risks, undermining Target 3.9, which aims to substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution.

Threats to Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11)

The spread of haze to major metropolitan areas, including New York, Washington, D.C., and Chicago, highlights the vulnerability of urban centers to environmental disasters. This phenomenon directly impacts Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, particularly Target 11.6, which focuses on reducing the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality.

• The 2023 Canadian wildfire season demonstrably worsened air pollution for millions of Americans, compromising the safety and resilience of urban environments.
• Ensuring access to safe, inclusive, and accessible green and public spaces becomes challenging when air quality is hazardous.

Challenges to Climate Action and Life on Land (SDG 13 & SDG 15)

The scale of the fires in Canada points to broader environmental crises related to climate change and ecosystem management, affecting SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

1. Fire Frequency and Intensity: Over 745 active fires are currently being fought, with more than 4,100 fires recorded this year. This increased frequency is a critical indicator of climate change impacts, demanding urgent climate action as outlined in SDG 13.
2. Ecosystem Degradation: The fires represent a significant loss of forest ecosystems, counteracting the objectives of SDG 15 to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and halt deforestation.

Exacerbating Inequalities (SDG 10)

The health impacts of air pollution are not distributed equally, underscoring a critical challenge to Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities. The American Lung Association identifies specific populations at heightened risk from inhaling polluted air, revealing a clear environmental justice dimension to the crisis.

• Vulnerable Populations: Children, adults over 65, people of color, pregnant individuals, and people experiencing poverty face disproportionately higher health risks.
• Health Disparities: This disparity in impact requires targeted public health interventions and policies to ensure that the well-being of all individuals is protected, in line with the core principle of leaving no one behind.

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article directly connects air pollution from wildfires to human health. It states that “Breathing in polluted air for extended periods can pose serious health risks, especially for vulnerable populations.” It also identifies specific vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and people with existing health conditions.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The article highlights the impact of wildfire smoke on major urban centers, mentioning that “The haze has spread to major metropolitan areas like New York, Washington, D.C. and Chicago.” This addresses the environmental quality and safety of cities.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• Wildfires are a significant climate-related hazard. The article discusses the scale of the fires (“more than 745 active fires,” “over 4,100 fires in Canada this year”) and their cross-border impact, which relates to strengthening resilience against climate-related disasters.

SDG 15: Life on Land

• The core issue discussed is wildfires burning in Canada, which directly impacts forests. The article notes, “Firefighters in Canada are battling more than 745 active fires,” indicating a direct threat to terrestrial ecosystems.

What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. The article’s focus on “unhealthy levels of air pollution” from wildfire smoke and the associated “serious health risks” directly aligns with this target.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality. The article’s discussion of “worse air quality” due to “particle pollution” in major U.S. metropolitan areas like New York and Chicago directly relates to this target.

3. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The widespread wildfires are presented as a large-scale natural disaster with cross-border consequences, highlighting the need for resilience and adaptation to such events.

4. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil… and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world. The article mentions the large number of fires (“over 4,100 fires in Canada this year”), which are a primary driver of forest and land degradation.

Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For Target 3.9:

   • Indicator (Implied): The article refers to data from the American Lung Association (ALA) report, which found that “nearly half of the people in the U.S. live in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution.” This serves as a proxy for Indicator 3.9.1 (Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution) by measuring population exposure to harmful air.
   • Indicator (Implied): The identification of “vulnerable populations” such as “Children, adults over 65, people of color, pregnant people, smokers and people experiencing poverty” who are at “heightened risk” implies a method for tracking the health impacts on specific demographic groups.

2. For Target 11.6:

   • Indicator: The article explicitly mentions air quality levels such as “moderate” and “unhealthy for sensitive groups” due to “particle pollution.” This directly relates to Indicator 11.6.2 (Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5 and PM10) in cities). The reference to the ALA’s “2025 State of the Air report, which analyzed average air quality from 2021 to 2023” points to a direct source for this data.

3. For Target 13.1:

   • Indicator (Implied): The article states that the “2023 Canadian wildfire season left millions of Americans in areas with worsened air pollution.” This number can be used as part of Indicator 13.1.1 (Number of… directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population).

4. For Target 15.3:

   • Indicator: The article provides specific numbers on the extent of wildfires: “more than 745 active fires” and “over 4,100 fires in Canada this year.” These figures serve as direct indicators of the area of land being degraded by fire, relevant to tracking progress against land degradation.

Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wesh.com