Report on Air Quality Degradation in the U.S. Midwest and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A significant air quality event, resulting from wildfire smoke originating in Canada, is currently impacting the state of Iowa and the broader Midwest region. This event poses direct challenges to the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning public health, sustainable communities, and climate action. This report details the extent of the air pollution, its direct conflict with established health standards, and its connection to the global sustainability agenda.

Public Health Impacts and Alignment with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued an advisory, classifying the air quality as “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” This situation directly undermines SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, and specifically Target 3.9, which seeks to substantially reduce illnesses and deaths from air pollution.

• Exceedance of Safety Standards: Current conditions surpass the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, which stipulate that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) should not exceed an average of 35 micrograms per cubic meter over a 24-hour period.
• Vulnerable Populations at Risk: The health advisory underscores the disproportionate impact on specific demographics, a key concern for ensuring equitable health outcomes under SDG 3. These groups include:
• Older adults
• Individuals with pre-existing heart or lung conditions
• Children
• Outdoor workers
• Protective Measures: Authorities have advised these sensitive groups to limit strenuous outdoor activities, a necessary but disruptive measure that impacts daily life and well-being.

Air Quality Monitoring and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The degradation of air quality presents a failure to meet the objectives of SDG 11, particularly Target 11.6, which calls for reducing the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities by improving air quality. Real-time data illustrates the severity of the issue across the state.

1. Widespread Contamination: Monitoring by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow service indicates that a majority of Iowa is experiencing PM2.5 levels above 40 micrograms per cubic meter.
2. Acute Pollution Hotspots: A north-central portion of the state registered even more hazardous conditions, with PM2.5 concentrations exceeding 50 micrograms per cubic meter, categorizing the air as “unhealthy.”
3. Event Duration: The DNR anticipates these conditions will persist through Saturday, with potential residual effects into Sunday, highlighting a prolonged period of environmental stress on communities.

Climate Linkages and Implications for SDG 13 and SDG 15

This recurring air quality crisis is a direct consequence of large-scale wildfires, which are increasingly linked to climate change. This event highlights the interconnectedness of global environmental challenges and the urgent need for progress on both SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

• Transboundary Pollution: The incident, where smoke from Canadian wildfires drifts across international borders, demonstrates that climate-related hazards do not respect national boundaries, reinforcing the need for global cooperation as outlined in SDG 13.
• Ecosystem Degradation: The wildfires themselves represent a significant setback for SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and halt biodiversity loss.
• Recurring Threat: This is not an isolated event, with a similar significant incident occurring in early June. This pattern suggests an increasing frequency of climate-related disasters impacting human and environmental health, demanding stronger resilience and adaptation strategies.

1. SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article’s primary focus is on the public health risks posed by poor air quality. It explicitly states that the air is “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” including “Older adults, people with heart or lung disease, children and outdoor workers,” directly connecting the environmental issue to human health and well-being.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The article discusses the impact of air pollution on communities across the state of Iowa. By referencing air quality monitoring, the “haze-skyline,” and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow site, it addresses the environmental quality and safety of human settlements.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• Large-scale wildfires are a well-known climate-related hazard. The article describes the impact of this hazard (“smoke from wildfires in Canada”) and the response measures, such as advisories from the Department of Natural Resources. This relates to strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related disasters.

SDG 15: Life on Land

• The source of the air pollution is identified as “wildfires in Canada.” These fires represent the destruction of forests, which is a direct threat to terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity, linking the issue to the protection and sustainable management of forests.

2. Specific Targets Identified

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 directly addresses this target by detailing the health risks from air pollution caused by fine particulate matter from smoke and advising vulnerable populations to take precautions to avoid illness.

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 focus on poor air quality across Iowa, with specific measurements of particulate matter, directly relates to this target of managing the environmental quality of cities and communities.

Target 13.1

• Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The wildfire smoke event is a transboundary natural hazard. The article mentions official advisories and monitoring, which are components of a system for adapting to and managing the risks of such hazards.

Target 15.2

• …promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation… The wildfires that are the source of the smoke represent a failure to halt forest destruction. The event serves as an example of the challenges related to sustainable forest management.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied

Indicator for Target 11.6 and 3.9

• Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5). The article provides explicit, quantitative data for this indicator. It references the National Ambient Air Quality Standards limit of “35 micrograms per cubic meter” and reports that current measurements show “fine particulate measurements above 40 micrograms per cubic meter” and “concentrations greater than 50 micrograms per cubic meter.”

Indicator for Target 13.1 and 15.2

• Occurrence and impact of natural disasters/wildfires. The article describes a specific event (“smoke from wildfires in Canada”) and its widespread impact. The mention that this is “not the first time” and referencing a previous event in “early June” implies that the frequency and scale of these wildfires can be used as an indicator to track challenges to climate resilience and forest protection.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: voiceofalexandria.com