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Canadian Wildfires Are Polluting The Earth Faster Than Most Countries

The under-recognized threat to global health

Kim Fedyk
CanadEH

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mountaintops shrouded in heavy orange smoke
Photo by Marc Obiols on Unsplash

There are almost 200 countries in the world.

In 2023, Canadian wildfires produced more emissions than all but three of them. Only India, China, and the U.S. polluted the air more.

To me, this is mind-blowing.

But perhaps it shouldn’t be.

Living in Canada, I have seen the impact of the growing wildfire season first hand.

I’ve witness the choking haze in the summer. I’ve smelt the wood-burning odour in the air when the wind is blowing just right.

I’ve seen the burning red sun.

My son has had his baseball games cancelled multiple times and has been forced to have recess at school inside for weeks on end, due to poor air quality.

So perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised.

But I am.

Not just surprised. I am shocked.

Shocked that the Canadian wildfires have such a tremendous impact on the global environment, yet they are never part of the conversation on pollution.

Exposure to wildfire smoke causes huge health risks

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