What's happened
A new interactive map from Climate TRACE reveals that fossil fuel facilities and wildfires are releasing dangerous PM2.5 particles, exposing 1.6 billion people worldwide to toxic air. The tool tracks pollution sources in real-time, emphasizing the urgent need for policy action to protect public health and address climate change.
What's behind the headline?
The new Climate TRACE map underscores the intertwined nature of climate change and public health. It reveals that fossil fuel facilities and wildfires are major sources of PM2.5, a pollutant responsible for millions of deaths annually. The focus on 'super emitters' highlights the disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities, such as Karachi and Louisiana's Cancer Alley. The data exposes the scale of the crisis, emphasizing that current policies are insufficient. The visualization of pollution sources aims to empower communities and policymakers to take targeted action. The inclusion of wildfire smoke projections shows that climate change will intensify health risks, especially in regions like California and the northeastern US. The findings suggest that immediate mitigation and adaptation strategies are critical to prevent millions of future deaths and health crises. The data also challenges political narratives that downplay pollution's health impacts, reinforcing the need for urgent global policy shifts.
What the papers say
The articles from The Independent, The Guardian, AP News, and Bloomberg collectively highlight the severity of air pollution and wildfire smoke as global health threats. The Guardian emphasizes the health impacts of PM2.5 and the role of fossil fuels, quoting Al Gore on the link between pollution and climate crisis. AP News details Gore's expansion of Climate TRACE's tracking system to include soot particles, illustrating the technological advancements in pollution monitoring. Bloomberg underscores the projected rise in wildfire-related deaths due to climate change, with studies from China and the US warning of exponential increases in mortality if emissions are not curbed. While all sources agree on the health risks, The Guardian and AP focus more on the technological and policy implications, whereas Bloomberg emphasizes future projections and economic damages. The consistent theme is that pollution from fossil fuels and wildfires will worsen without decisive action, and the new tools provide critical data to inform policy and community responses.
How we got here
The map builds on previous data showing fossil fuel burning as a major source of climate and health hazards. It expands the scope to include wildfire smoke, which is increasingly linked to climate change-driven droughts and heatwaves. The data is derived from satellites, sensors, and AI, providing detailed insights into pollution hotspots globally.
Go deeper
Common question
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How Will Wildfire Smoke Impact Our Health in the Future?
Wildfire smoke is becoming an increasingly serious health threat due to climate change. As wildfires grow more frequent and intense, the tiny particles in smoke—especially PM2.5—pose significant risks to vulnerable populations. With projections indicating a sharp rise in wildfire-related deaths worldwide, understanding the dangers and how to prepare is more important than ever. Below, we answer key questions about the rising threat of wildfire smoke and what you can do to stay safe.
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How Will Rising Costs and Climate Change Shape the Economy?
Rising costs driven by tariffs and inflation are reshaping industries, while climate change is escalating health risks and economic instability worldwide. Curious about how these issues are connected and what the future holds? Below, we explore key questions about the economic impact of rising costs and environmental challenges, helping you understand what to expect in the coming months.
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What Are the Health Risks of Wildfire Smoke?
Wildfire smoke is more than just an environmental issue — it poses serious health risks, especially as wildfires become more frequent and intense due to climate change. Understanding how smoke affects our health and what we can do about it is crucial. Below, we explore the dangers of wildfire smoke, how climate change is worsening the problem, and what steps communities and policymakers can take to protect us all.
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How Are Wildfires Affecting Air Quality Worldwide?
Wildfires are increasingly impacting air quality across the globe, releasing dangerous particles into the atmosphere. This raises important questions about the health risks associated with wildfire pollution, how climate change is fueling these fires, and what can be done to protect ourselves. Below, we explore the key issues surrounding wildfire pollution and its global effects.
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How Is Climate Change Fueling Wildfires and Pollution?
Climate change is dramatically increasing the frequency and severity of wildfires worldwide, which in turn releases dangerous pollutants into the air. This page explores how rising temperatures and drier conditions contribute to larger fires, the link between fossil fuels and air pollution, and what policies can help mitigate these disasters. Understanding these connections is crucial for taking urgent climate action to protect health and the environment.
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How Bad Is Air Pollution Worldwide?
Air pollution is a growing global crisis, affecting billions of people and contributing to climate change. Recent tools like Climate TRACE's new pollution map reveal the scale of the problem, showing how fossil fuel facilities and wildfires release toxic particles into the air. Curious about how severe this issue really is, which countries are most at risk, and how real-time data can help protect health? Keep reading to find out more.
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Albert Arnold Gore Jr. is an American politician and environmentalist who served as the 45th vice president of the United States from 1993 to 2001.
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Climate TRACE is an independent group which aims to monitor and publish greenhouse gas emissions as they happen. It is planned to launch mid-September 2021 before COP26, and aims to improve monitoring, reporting and verification of both carbon dioxide and
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Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the largest city in Pakistan and seventh largest city proper in the world.
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A wildfire, wildland fire or rural fire is an uncontrolled fire in an area of combustible vegetation occurring in rural areas. Depending on the type of vegetation present, a wildfire can also be classified more specifically as a brush fire, bushfire, dese
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Tulane University is a private research university in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was founded as a public medical college in 1834 and became a comprehensive university in 1847.
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Test cricket is the form of the sport of cricket with the longest match duration, and is considered the game's highest standard.
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