Climate Change: Frequent heat waves spoiling air quality, crops are also being harmed

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has said that air quality and climate are linked.

This is because the substances that contribute to climate change and poor air quality often originate from the same sources. The report said that forest fires, dust rising from the desert and frequent heat waves are deteriorating the air quality to a great extent.

Heatwaves, wildfires and dust in the US and Europe worsen air quality in 2022, affecting health as well as the environment. The report states that it is not only high temperatures that are a threat, but the effects of pollution caused by it are equally dangerous. In 2022, Europe had to face record heat. Due to this, along with the pollutant particles, the level of ozone increased near the earth. Ozone levels exceeded the standard of 100 micrograms per cubic meter at several European air quality monitoring sites.

It has been said in the report that while the ozone present near the stratosphere protects from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun, the ozone present near the earth harms health. It also affects the yield of food crops. Due to ozone, 15 to 30 percent loss in wheat and soybean yield was recorded in India and China. Globally, crop loss due to ozone averaged 4.4–12.4 percent.