WMO report warns of climate change and wildfire impact on global air quality

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released its annual air quality report on September 7, 2026, warning that increasingly severe heatwaves and wildfires are undermining global efforts to improve air quality. According to WMO scientist Lorenzo Labrador, air quality and climate change are inextricably linked, creating a vicious cycle where each exacerbates the other. The agency emphasizes that these extreme weather events pose significant health risks, particularly through the inhalation of toxic smoke and pollutants.

The report identifies fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ground-level ozone as the primary air pollutants linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. In 2025, significantly high concentrations of PM2.5 were recorded in northern Canada, parts of Russia, central-western Africa, and north-western Spain due to intense wildfire activity. Beyond these pollutants, the study also examines the impact of aerosols, such as black carbon and microplastics, noting that many regions are now facing new health threats from smoke exposure despite previous successes in reducing industrial and automotive emissions.