Brazil is experiencing a severe air pollution crisis as a direct result of record wildfires across the Amazon and other regions. As of September 19, 2024, the Copernicus Climate Change Monitoring Programme reported alarming spikes in air pollution levels, with major cities like São Paulo and Porto Velho facing hazardous conditions.
In Brasília, over 6% of the National Park area has burned due to arson, while the Amazon region has seen wildfire incidents double compared to the previous year, with over 30,000 new fire hotspots recorded in the first half of September alone. The smoke from these fires has spread far beyond the immediate areas, affecting air quality in cities across Brazil.
On September 13, air quality in Porto Alegre was reported to be 394% worse than the average for September from 2017 to 2023. The World Health Organization defines a safe level of particulate matter (PM 2.5) as 5 micrograms per cubic meter, yet São Paulo recorded levels reaching 81 micrograms, 15.2 times above the recommended limit.
The situation is not isolated to Brazil; South America has broken its record for annual wildfires, with 346,100 fire hotspots reported across 13 countries by September 11, surpassing the previous record set in 2007. Experts attribute the crisis to a combination of historical heat and drought exacerbated by climate change, along with insufficient government action to prevent and manage wildfires.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has acknowledged the country's unpreparedness for the wildfire crisis and has authorized an emergency fund of R$ 514 million to combat the effects of the fires and drought in the Amazon.
This environmental disaster poses significant public health risks and highlights the urgent need for coordinated national and international responses to address both air quality and climate change.