Climate change is a public health emergency. Climate change is a public health emergency, and poses a dire threat to lung health. High temperatures alone will worsen morbidity and mortality particularly in children, the elderly, and those with preexisting lung or heart disease. Increased ground level ozone – or smog – due to higher temperatures, and smoke from more intense and frequent wildfires will worsen asthma and COPD outcomes and put more lives in danger. We must take action immediately to mitigate these changes and protect the air for everyone who breathes.
