New Yorkers Choke in Smog from Canadian Wildfires
New York City, one of the most populous cities in the world, has been covered in smog as air pollution caused by bushfires in Canada descended over the northern US border. The event, described as “apocalyptic” by some, has forced New Yorkers to remain indoors as breathing difficulties and stinging eyes become more prevalent due to poor air quality. Iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and Yankees Stadium are hardly visible as smog obscured the skyline in an eerie orange glow.
The Scale of the Problem
According to NASA, over 150 bushfires are burning across Canada, affecting more than 3 million hectares of land, which is vastly more than the annual average. The province of Quebec is especially affected, with some fires raging only 350km from Ottawa in northwestern Quebec. Scores of fires have also been spotted around the rural town of Label-sur-Quévillon, leading to the evacuation of around 2100 locals.
The smog, which has travelled around 1300km from northern Quebec to New York, has enveloped the larger part of the US east coast with Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and some areas in the Carolinas also affected by the “very dangerous” smoke. The event has exposed New Yorkers to hazardous levels of smog, with the city recording at its peak the worst air pollution of any major global metropolitan area on Tuesday, surpassing even New Delhi, Baghdad, and Lahore.
On the Philosophy of Environmental Pollution
This incident reflects some of the long-standing environmental problems we have observed in the world. The frequency and intensity of natural disasters are on the rise globally, from raging bushfires in Australia and California, devastating hurricanes in the US Gulf Coast, to a recurrence of heatwaves and droughts in many parts of the world and floods in Germany and other parts of Europe.
Environmental pollution, in part human-caused and partially due to natural causes, has been a significant contributor to this trend. In many cases, the root cause of these environmental problems is the poor management of natural resources, mainly due to governmental apathy and neglect.
Advice to New Yorkers
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has advised all vulnerable New Yorkers to stay inside, while schools have ceased outdoor activities due to worsening conditions as the smoggy situation continues. Affected residents are advised to limit outdoor activities and follow the recommended precautionary measures, such as wearing protective masks.
It is imperative that everyone takes this environmental issue seriously and takes adequate measures to reduce pollution levels. The current situation calls for a concerted effort to tackle the issue of environmental pollution, including researching and implementing innovative ways to reduce pollution levels and promoting sustainable practices in various industries to protect the environment.
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