Smoke from hundreds of Canadian wildfires blankets northern US cities with air pollution | CNN

Smoke from Canadian Wildfires Causes Poor Air Quality in Northern US Cities

Smoke from more than 1,000 wildfires burning across Canada has wafted over the northern US, bringing poor air quality and pollution that threaten residents’ health to northern US cities including Chicago, Illinois, and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Chicago, Minneapolis and Detroit, Michigan, were ranked among the most polluted cities in the world as of Tuesday evening, according to global pollution tracker IQAir.

The smoke has drifted over the Great Lakes region, in particular, as about 1,090 active fires blaze throughout Canada, more than 670 of which are considered “out of control,” according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. That’s up from more than 880 fires there last week.

The bulk of the country’s wildfires are burning in British Columbia, where more than 460 fires are ongoing, the agency reports.

In the US, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued air quality alerts for millions of people across Michigan and parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.

The blanket of hazy skies follows a belt of Canadian wildfire smoke which stretched across the US last week, triggering air quality alerts for more than a dozen states from Montana to Vermont, with some smoke reaching as far South as Alabama.

The smoke is expected to shift eastward through the Great Lakes region through Tuesday and disperse by Wednesday – just as the upper Midwest is forecast to see some of its hottest temperatures so far this year. Minneapolis could reach 100° and Chicago will be in the upper 90s.

The EPA in Illinois has declared an “Air Pollution Action Day” through Tuesday due to the “persistent” wildfire smoke causing elevated air pollution in the region. Similar advisories have been declares in Michigan and Wisconsin.

The city is recommending that those with chronic respiratory issues limit their activities outdoors and is advising against strenuous activity for children, teens, seniors, people with heart or lung disease, and pregnant people.

“All Chicagoans may also consider wearing masks, limiting their outdoor exposure, moving activities indoors, running air purifiers, and closing windows,” the city said in a release Monday.

Wildfire Smoke and its Impact on Health

Wildfire smoke is packed with tiny pollutants – known as particulate matter – that can infiltrate the lungs and blood stream if inhaled. Particulate matter can commonly cause difficulty breathing and eye and throat irritation, but has also been linked to more serious long-term health issues such as lung cancer, according to the US Centers

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 how the smoke from wildfires in Canada has wafted over the northern US, bringing poor air quality and pollution that threaten residents’ health in cities like Chicago and Minneapolis. This connects to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The article mentions that cities like Chicago, Minneapolis, and Detroit were ranked among the most polluted cities in the world due to the wildfire smoke. This relates to SDG 11, which focuses on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

SDG 13: Climate Action

The article highlights the record-breaking fire season in Canada and the downwind effects it is likely to have on the US. This aligns with SDG 13, which aims to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

SDG 15: Life on Land

The article mentions the wildfires in British Columbia and the impact on Canadian land. This connects to SDG 15, which focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably managing forests, combating desertification, and halting biodiversity loss.

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.

This target is relevant to the issue of poor air quality and pollution caused by the wildfire smoke. It aims to reduce the negative health impacts of air pollution on individuals.

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.

This target is connected to the issue of polluted cities due to the wildfire smoke. It focuses on reducing the environmental impact of cities, particularly in terms of air quality.

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

This target is relevant to the article’s discussion of the record-breaking fire season in Canada and the potential downwind effects on the US. It emphasizes the need to build resilience and adapt to climate-related hazards.

Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.

This target relates to the wildfires in British Columbia and the impact on Canadian land. It highlights the importance of conserving and sustainably managing terrestrial ecosystems, including forests.

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

No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. However, indicators related to air quality, pollution levels, and health impacts can be used to assess progress towards Target 3.9 and Target 11.6. Data on the extent and severity of wildfires can be used as an indicator for Target 13.1.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: cnn.com

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