00:00According to a shocking scientific research, wildfire smoke, which is already a serious health hazard,
00:06could cause up to 70,000 American deaths each year by 2050 if current trends continue.
00:12Now, this stark warning comes from a study and it sheds light on a growing crisis fueled by climate change.
00:20Now, wildfires have already long been a natural part of life in parts of the US and Canada.
00:25But in recent years, warmer and drier conditions have caused these fires to grow bigger, burn longer and happen more often.
00:35And with that increase in wildfire activity, the smoke that they produce is also spreading wider and staying in the air for longer periods.
00:44Now, this study published in the journal Nature was led by scientists at Stanford University and other leading research institutions.
00:52They used advanced models to combine data on wildfire smoke, wind patterns and historical death records to estimate future health impacts.
01:03Now, their findings show that the number of deaths linked to smoke exposure from wildfires could rise by over 70%.
01:11Currently, wildfire smoke contributes to about 40,000 deaths per year in the US.
01:17But if global temperatures continue to rise at the current pace, deaths could increase to nearly 70,000 annually by 2050.
01:27Now, that would be more than all other climate-related fatalities combined, including heat-related deaths, agricultural losses and storm damage.
01:37What makes wildfire smoke so dangerous is the toxic mixture of chemicals it contains.
01:44Among these are fine particulate matter called PM2.5, which is tiny enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream also.
01:55Prolonged exposure to PM2.5 can cause serious respiratory and cardiovascular issues and it increases the risk of premature death.
02:04Now, the research highlights that no community in the US is safe from the effects of wildfire smoke.
02:10While the West Coast has seen the largest increases, wildfire smoke now travels long distances, impacting areas far from the fire sites.
02:20For example, recent massive fires in Canada have sent smoky haze over the eastern and mid-western parts of the country.
02:27But the health risks from wildfire smoke exposure are not just immediate.
02:33Death rates can continue to rise years after the initial exposure because of the lasting damage smoke can cause to vulnerable populations.
02:41This includes pregnant women, children, elderly, adults and people with pre-existing conditions like asthma and cancer.
02:49Now, economically, the consequences are equally concerning.
02:52The estimated cost of health damages from wildfire smoke-related deaths could reach a staggering $608 billion annually by 2050 if no substantial efforts are made to reduce emissions and manage wildfire risks.
03:07So what can be done?
03:09Public health experts suggest investing in better indoor air filtration to protect at-risk populations during smoke events.
03:17Additionally, forest management techniques like prescribed burns and fuel reduction can help prevent the largest and most intense wildfires.
03:29Now, the scientists also warn that climate models informing policy so far have underestimated these wildfire impacts,
03:37including wildfire smoke exposure in climate risk assessments is very important for better planning and response strategies moving forward.
03:47So to sum it up, wildfires and their smoky aftermath are more than just an environmental challenge.
03:54They are actually an emerging public health emergency.
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