The World Meteorological Organization has warned that the ongoing global warming will lead to atmospheric pollution and increase the frequency of severe heatwaves.

Experts from the organization pointed out that extreme heat causes wildfires, and the smoke emitted from them pollutes the air, making it unsafe for millions of people to breathe. Due to drought, large amounts of dust from deserts rise into the atmosphere.

Professor Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization, stated that experts expect further deterioration in climate conditions and weather patterns, as the summer of 2023 was the hottest on record. Additionally, wildfires have affected vast areas in Canada, the United States, and the Mediterranean region, with smoke even reaching the Arctic.

For his part, Dr. Lorenzo Labrador from the World Meteorological Organization warned that the smoke from wildfires contains chemicals that affect air quality and health, damaging plants, ecosystems, and agricultural crops, and increasing the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

According to several meteorological experts, high temperatures contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone smog, which is harmful to people, animals, and plants. These combined factors threaten not only public health but also food security.

A report released by the organization indicated that the average loss of food crops globally due to ozone is estimated at 4.4 - 12.4 percent, with losses ranging from 15-30 percent in wheat and soybeans in major agricultural areas of India and China.