Wildfire smoke is reversing years of air pollution progress in California and the West, new study finds

The smoke that blew into the Bay Area this week, after what has been a blissfully mild wildfire season in California so far this summer, has rekindled an unhealthy and growing trend: Many of the improvements America has made in reducing air pollution since 2000 are now being diminished — particularly in Western states — as the frequency and ferocity of wildfires has increased.

A new study published Wednesday by researchers at Stanford University found that wildfire smoke is likely to become a larger contributor to overall air pollution in much of the United States in the years ahead.

“We have been remarkably successful at cleaning up air quality,” said Marshall Burke, an associate professor at Stanford’s Doerr School of Sustainability, and co-author of the study. “We have seen decades of improvements and public health benefits. But over the last 10 years, that progress has slowed down and started to reverse.”

Impact on Air Quality

Burke and his colleagues found that from 2000 to 2015, particle pollution, called PM 2.5, declined 38% in the United States. But then the steady trend stopped. But then the steady trend reversed, as pollution from particulate matter increased 3% from 2016 to 2022.

In California and Nevada, the reversal was more dramatic. Particulate pollution fell 32% from 2000 to 2015, then jumped 14% from 2016 to 2022.

In those recent years, huge blazes burned in Big Sur, forests around South Lake Tahoe, towns in Wine Country, Paradise, the Santa Cruz Mountains and other areas, choking much of the state in thick smoke.

Similarly in the Pacific Northwest and the American Southwest, particulate pollution fell 19% from 2000 to 2015. Then it shot up 21% and 12%, respectively, from 2015

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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.
   • Indicator: Particulate pollution levels (PM 2.5) in the United States.

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 and municipal and other waste management.
   • Indicator: Air pollution levels in urban areas affected by wildfires.

3. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Indicator: Frequency and intensity of wildfires and their impact on air quality.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   The article highlights the impact of wildfire smoke on air pollution, specifically particulate pollution (PM 2.5). This is connected to SDG 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being for all. Target 3.9 of SDG 3 focuses on reducing deaths and illnesses from air pollution. The article mentions that wildfire smoke is likely to contribute to overall air pollution in the United States, indicating a need to address this issue to achieve the target. The indicator mentioned in the article is particulate pollution levels (PM 2.5) in the United States, which can be used to measure progress towards reducing air pollution.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   The article discusses the adverse impact of wildfire smoke on air quality in urban areas. This aligns with SDG 11, which focuses on creating sustainable cities and communities. Target 11.6 of SDG 11 aims to reduce the per capita environmental impact of cities, including air quality. The article highlights the need to pay special attention to air quality in cities affected by wildfires. The indicator mentioned in the article is air pollution levels in urban areas affected by wildfires, which can be used to measure progress towards improving air quality in cities.

3. SDG 13: Climate Action

   The article emphasizes the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires, which are linked to climate change. This relates to SDG 13, which focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Target 13.1 of SDG 13 aims to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters. The article highlights the need to address the frequency and intensity of wildfires and their impact on air quality, indicating a need for climate action. The indicator mentioned in the article is the frequency and intensity of wildfires and their impact on air quality, which can be used to measure progress towards building resilience and reducing the impact of climate-related hazards.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: mercurynews.com

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