The world is getting hotter, and this is making the air we breathe worse. Many people think climate change is just about heatwaves, but it also increases air pollution. Understanding this connection can help us take steps to protect our health and the environment.

How heat affects air pollution

More harmful ozone in the air

There is a type of ozone that forms close to the ground when the sun heats up certain chemicals from cars, factories, and other sources. This kind of ozone can make it harder to breathe, especially for people with asthma or other lung problems. The hotter it gets, the more of this bad ozone forms *.

More tiny dirty particles

Hot weather can lead to more wildfires, which send smoke and tiny dust particles into the air. These tiny particles can go deep into our lungs and cause breathing problems. Also, when the air is hot, pollution gets trapped close to the ground, making it harder to escape. 

More pollution from factories and power plants

When it’s very hot, people use more electricity for air conditioning. This makes power plants work harder, and they release more pollution into the air. Some of these pollutants, like sulfur and nitrogen oxides, can harm our lungs and make the air dirtier **. 

Less wind to clear the air

During heatwaves, the air can become still and heavy. This makes pollution stay in one place instead of spreading out. When this happens, people in cities and crowded places end up breathing in dirty air for days ***. 

How this affects our health and nature

Health problems

Bad air can cause coughing, lung diseases, and even heart problems. Children, older people, and those with breathing issues suffer the most.

Harm to plants and crops

Pollution can damage trees and crops, making it harder for farmers to grow food. It can also harm animals that depend on clean air and water ****.

Worsening climate change

Some air pollutants, like black smoke and methane gas, trap heat in the atmosphere, making the world even hotter. This creates a cycle where pollution makes heat worse, and heat makes pollution worse *****.

What we can do to help

• Use clean energy – Switching to solar and wind power can reduce pollution from power plants.
• Plant more trees – Trees clean the air and help cool the environment.
• Follow air quality updates – Check air pollution levels and stay indoors when the air is bad.
• Reduce car use – Walking, biking, or using public transport helps keep the air cleaner.
• Save energy – Turning off lights and using less electricity helps reduce pollution.

In brief

Hot weather and air pollution are connected. If we don’t act, this problem will get worse. By making small changes and pushing for cleaner energy, we can protect our health and keep the air fresh for future generations.

Sources

*  World Health Organization. (n.d.). Climate change. [Fact sheet]. Available at https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-and-health
**  NASA Science. (2021, October 20). Reducing emissions to lessen climate change would yield dramatic health benefits by 2030. Available at https://climate.nasa.gov/news/3134/reducing-emissions-to-lessen-climate-change-would-yield-dramatic-health-benefits-by-2030
***  World Health Organization. (2024). Heat and health. [Fact sheet]. Available at https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-heat-and-health
****  United Nations Environment Programme. (n.d.). Air pollution and climate change: Two sides of the same coin. Available at https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/air-pollution-and-climate-change-two-sides-same-coin
*****  World Health Organization. (n.d.). Air quality, energy and health. Available at https://www.who.int/teams/environment-climate-change-and-health/air-quality-energy-and-health/health-impacts/climate-impacts-of-air-pollution