Prepare for another summer of air quality alerts, but less than 2023

Minnesotans Can Expect More Air Quality Alerts This Summer

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MCPA) has announced that Minnesotans can expect more air quality alerts than usual this summer. However, the agency predicts that the state won’t experience as much wildfire haze as it did last year.

Record Number of Air Quality Alerts in 2023

Last year, a record-breaking 21 air quality alerts were issued in Minnesota, spanning over 52 days. Out of these alerts, 16 were related to wildfire smoke. The impact of these alerts was felt throughout the entire state, with many Minnesotans having to check the air quality index before allowing their children to play outside or engage in outdoor activities.

Predictions for This Year

This year’s predictions are based on forecasts for high temperatures and an increase in wildfires, primarily due to drought conditions in parts of Minnesota and Canada. However, the number of wildfires is expected to be lower than last year.

Matt Taraldsen, the lead meteorologist at the MPCA, stated, “At this point last year, we already had fires raging in Canada. Parts of Canada near the Arctic Circle were above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. We’re not seeing that this year, which is a good sign. So the early fire season has been quiet, but it’s not something we can let our guard down on. In June, if there’s a dry period and drought expands, which it could do, that will fuel more wildfires and more smoke.”

Climate Change and Wildfires

Last year was globally the hottest year on record, and the wildfire season in Canada broke the previous record for acres burned. Climate change has been identified as a significant factor contributing to the increased risk and extent of wildfires.

While climate change played a role in the adverse air quality experienced in Minnesota last summer, Taraldsen emphasized that the extreme conditions were also influenced by a strong El Niño pattern, which has since dissipated. He stated, “The combination of both climate change and the extreme El Niño pattern is really what pushed not only the weather patterns to drive the prolonged wildfire season but also the jet streams and other air currents that push that smoke from Canada down into Minnesota and down to the surface. Although we’re forecasting an above-average season, we’re not forecasting the same type of severity as 2023.”

Air Quality Alerts and Surface Ozone

The average number of air quality alerts per year is typically five to seven when excluding last summer’s outlier. However, this year’s prediction is more than eight. The MPCA has identified Twin Cities suburbs and the Rochester metro areas as facing the greatest impacts from elevated surface ozone in early summer.

Surface ozone, a primary ingredient in smog, is detrimental to lung health and can worsen asthma symptoms while increasing the risk of infection with prolonged exposure. To mitigate the impacts of surface ozone, the MPCA recommends reducing activities such as driving that contribute to its formation. As average temperatures continue to rise, surface ozone is expected to worsen.

Preparing for Climate Change

The MPCA advises Minnesotans to expect air quality alerts that include specific time frames to avoid certain activities and suggestions on how to reduce their own impacts on air quality. Governor Tim Walz acknowledged the challenges posed by the unpredictable climate and stated, “Unfortunately, I think it’s something we’re going to have to deal with going forward just because of the nature of the unpredictable climate that we’re seeing.”

Katrina Kessler, commissioner of the MPCA, emphasized the need to prepare for climate change and its consequences. She stated, “Warmer days, warmer winters, fewer days of lake ice, storms with unpredictable and more dynamic intensity, and heatwaves are all changes we can expect to unfortunately see more of in the coming years. Our lakes, rivers, cold weather traditions, and sunny vibrant summers are at stake. To keep Minnesota a great place to raise a family, we must prepare for these changes.”

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The article discusses air quality alerts and the impact of hazardous air pollutants on people’s health. This aligns with SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

SDG 13: Climate Action

The article mentions the increase in wildfires and the connection between climate change and the severity of the wildfire season. This relates to SDG 13, which focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The article highlights the impact of air pollution on cities and the need to reduce the adverse environmental impact, particularly in relation to air quality. This is relevant to SDG 11, which aims to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

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

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 discusses the issuance of air quality alerts due to hazardous air pollutants, which aligns with this target under SDG 3.

Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

The article mentions the increase in wildfires and the need to prepare for climate-related changes. This target under SDG 13 focuses on building resilience to climate-related hazards.

Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

The article highlights the impact of air pollution on cities and the need to address air quality issues. This target under SDG 11 aims to reduce the adverse environmental impact of cities, specifically focusing on air quality.

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

The article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

– Air quality alerts: The number of air quality alerts issued can indicate progress in reducing the impact of hazardous air pollutants (Target 3.9).
– Air quality index: Monitoring the air quality index can provide information on the level of air pollution and its impact on health (Target 3.9).
– Wildfire frequency: Tracking the frequency of wildfires can indicate progress in strengthening resilience to climate-related hazards (Target 13.1).
– Drought expansion: Monitoring the expansion of drought can provide insights into the potential increase in wildfires and climate-related risks (Target 13.1).
– Surface ozone levels: Measuring surface ozone levels can help assess progress in reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities, particularly in relation to air quality (Target 11.6).

These indicators can be used to track progress and inform decision-making towards achieving the identified targets.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.

Fuente: mprnews.org

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