According to The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change, about 1,400 deaths per year between 2020 and 2024 in Canada were linked to air pollution caused by wildfires. The report, prepared by more than 100 international experts, shows how climate change is increasingly affecting public health around the world.
Researchers say rising temperatures and longer fire seasons are driving more smoke events, worsening air quality and putting vulnerable populations at risk.
The findings highlight how climate-related health threats are no longer distant concerns—they’re already here. The report urges governments to act faster to cut emissions, protect air quality, and adapt health systems to manage the growing impacts of a warming planet.
Experts say cleaner energy and stronger public health responses can save thousands of lives in the years ahead.