Heatwaves and Wildfires Expose a Third of World's Population to Extreme Ozone Pollution

Heatwaves and wildfires exposed roughly a third of the world's population to extremely poor ozone air quality during the first eight months of 2026, according to a European Union report published Wednesday.

The report found that 34 percent of the global population experienced what it classified as "extremely poor" ozone air quality during that period, with heat and fire activity identified as key drivers behind the elevated pollution levels.

Asia recorded the highest levels of exposure among the world's regions, reflecting a combination of extreme heat events and wildfire activity that contributed to poor air quality across large population centers.

The findings highlight ozone pollution as an area where progress has lagged compared to reductions achieved in other categories of harmful emissions over the past several decades. Despite sustained efforts to curb various pollutants, ground-level ozone — often intensified by heat — has proven especially difficult to control.

The report adds to a growing body of evidence linking climate-driven extreme weather events to worsening air quality outcomes, with researchers continuing to track how rising temperatures and increased wildfire activity interact with pollution levels worldwide.