What is wildfire smoke, why is it dangerous for human health, and why has it been the subject of news in Canada, the Northeastern coast of the United States, the midwest, and most recently L.A.?

Is Wildfire Smoke Dangerous for Health?

Disclaimer: While Greenly does it's best to provide you with the most up-to-date information, we cannot serve as proficient medical advice – and it is always important to consult a doctor if your are experiencing the side effects of wildfire smoke. Please ensure to look up local authority recommendations for how to handle post-exposure care to wildfire smoke. 

Wildfire smoke is becoming so prevalent in our daily life, that even famous entertainers such as singers like Shawn Mendes are starting to incorporate the negative effects that these natural disasters have on our lives into their music and artwork – and while releasing a new song and offering to donate to the red cross is a good way to raise awareness, it's important to remember how effective it would be to work towards preventing wildfire smoke from occurring in the first place.

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group

WHAT THE HELL ARE WE DYING FOR ? · Shawn Mendes

WHAT THE HELL ARE WE DYING FOR ?

℗ 2023 Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.

Released on: 2023-06-09

Producer, Associated  Performer, Drums: Mike Sabath
Producer: Shawn Mendes
Studio  Personnel, Mixer: Andrew Maury
Studio  Personnel, Mastering  Engineer: Joe LaPorta
Associated  Performer, Guitar, Bass: Eddie Benjamin
Associated  Performer, Piano: Scott Harris
Studio  Personnel, Recording  Engineer: Alex Pyle
Studio  Personnel, Asst.  Recording  Engineer: Gillian Pelkonen
A& R: Ziggy Chareton
Composer  Lyricist: Shawn Mendes
Composer  Lyricist: Scott Harris
Composer  Lyricist: Eddie Benjamin
Composer  Lyricist: Michael Sabath

Auto-generated by YouTube.

WHAT THE HELL ARE WE DYING FOR ?

Recently, wildfire smoke has taken over the skies of multiple cities: such as Toronto, Ottawa, New York City, Washington D.C., and more – all as a result of a wildfire that occurred across Canada.

Wildfire smoke is a mix of gasses and other particles that are emitted after vegetation and buildings are burned – most often, after a wildfire occurs. Wildfire smoke can cause even healthy people to get sick, when there is enough wildfire smoke present in the air. 

This is because breathing in wildfire smoke can result in the following:

👉 Keep in mind that the symptoms of wildfire smoke are likely to vary depending on the age and health of the person being exposed to wildfire smoke – pregnant women, children, elderly, and people with pre-existing health conditions remain most vulnerable to the effects of wildfire smoke. 

Ultimately, wildfire smoke has the ability to make even the healthiest of people sick – but wildfire smoke is most alarming for people who are susceptible or have pre-existing respiratory health conditions such as asthma. This is because when we breathe in wildfire smoke, it goes deeper into the lungs – ultimately affecting the respiratory system.

Most recently, wildfire smoke has taken multiple cities in Canada and the Northeast of the United States by storm.

Almost all of New York state is under a air quality alert because of smoke from wildfires in Canada blowing into the area.

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Canadian wildfire smoke envelops NYC

The table below will explain the impact of wildfire smoke from various wildfires over the last few years:

<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; text-align: left;">
    <thead>
        <tr style="background-color: #f2f2f2;">
            <th>Year</th>
            <th>Location</th>
            <th>Cause</th>
            <th>Impact on Air Quality</th>
            <th>Health Effects</th>
            <th>Global Reach</th>
        </tr>
    </thead>
    <tbody>
        <tr>
            <td>2023</td>
            <td>Los Angeles, USA</td>
            <td>Heatwaves, dry vegetation, human activity</td>
            <td>Significant PM2.5 levels, AQI in "Unhealthy" range</td>
            <td>Increased respiratory issues, eye irritation, hospitalizations</td>
            <td>Smoke spread across the western United States</td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <td>2023</td>
            <td>Maui, Hawaii</td>
            <td>Dry conditions, suspected human activity</td>
            <td>Localized poor air quality; PM2.5 levels surged</td>
            <td>Health warnings issued, evacuation-related stress</td>
            <td>Minimal global impact, largely local issue</td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <td>2023</td>
            <td>Canada</td>
            <td>Extreme heat, lightning strikes</td>
            <td>Record-breaking smoke levels; NYC AQI > 400 ("Hazardous")</td>
            <td>Severe respiratory effects, school and outdoor activity cancellations</td>
            <td>Smoke drifted to the US, Europe, and even reached the Arctic</td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <td>2020</td>
            <td>Australia</td>
            <td>Prolonged drought, arson, extreme heat</td>
            <td>PM2.5 levels 20 times the safe limit in Sydney and Canberra</td>
            <td>Respiratory illnesses, heat-related stress, displacement of vulnerable populations</td>
            <td>Smoke circled the globe, visible from space</td>
        </tr>
    </tbody>
</table>


In short, yes – wildfire smoke is bad for your lungs and is especially dangerous for pregnant women, children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing respiratory conditions. 

Wildfire smoke is bad because it contains fine particles, otherwise known as PM2.5, which can produce toxic emissions when combusted.

The health effects of wildfire smoke can range from mild to severe: with a light case of wildfire smoke exposure causing nothing more than more coughing than usual, whereas an acute case of wildfire smoke exposure could result in cardiovascular damage – to the extent where someone could have a heart attack. 

However, wildfire smoke most notably aggravates the lungs and can fuel lung cancer – especially those already susceptible such as someone with asthma, bronchitis,  or someone who already smokes. 

👉 Wildfire smoke is also composed of harmful elements and chemicals such as carbon monoxide and  nitrogen oxides – both of which aren’t good for the human body to inhale.

In addition to having an impact on the respiratory and the cardiovascular system, wildfire smoke can also result in decreased cognitive abilities – as decreased ability to breathe with ease can reduce the amount of oxygen being fed to the brain, causing people to feel “foggy” and not as sharp as usual. 

How can people protect themselves against wildfire smoke?

Most often, the best way to prevent the side effects of wildfire smoke is to limit exposure – meaning if there’s been a wildfire, it’s best to stay inside for as long as possible. 

However, this isn’t always feasible as many people have lives to get to – so here are some tips to stay safe if wildfire smoke is currently present in your area.

Watch the news for updates on air quality reports and updates about how to practice good safety measures in your area while you await the wildfire smoke to pass.

Use air visibility guides if they’re available, especially if you plan on driving, as sometimes wildfire smoke can get so bad it becomes dangerous to drive – making wildfire smoke a driving hazard as well. 

Stay indoors if it’s possible – remember to keep windows and doors shut until further notice, and run the air conditioner whilst keeping the air filter closed to make sure that particles from the wildfire smoke outside don’t end up inside your home. If you have no air conditioning and it’s too hot outside to stay put where you are, seek public shelter with air conditioning until the wildfire smoke warnings subside. 

Filter the air in your home if it’s possible, especially if you have a respiratory or heart condition that could make you more susceptible to the negative effects of wildfire smoke. There is often an air filter setting for most air conditioning systems. 

Wear a mask if you must go outside – if you have any masks laying around from the Covid-19 pandemic, this is a good time to pull them back out again. This is because wearing a mask can help to trap the particles which could threaten your lungs in the mask instead – similar to how wearing a mask helps prevent germs from entering your body. However, it is important to remember that wearing even a high quality mask shouldn’t serve as a replacement for staying inside and remaining safe from exposure from wildfire smoke. 

Don’t burn anything else to aggravate the climate when wildfire smoke levels are already at a high – it is best to stay away from burning candles, fireplaces, or from having a barbecue during a wildfire smoke breakout. In addition to this, it’s best to prevent smoking as well – as this also contributes to air pollution. 

Call your doctor if you have a health condition that makes you more vulnerable to wildfire smoke to ensure you stay safe and healthy. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen.

Check the wildfire smoke conditions of your local park before heading out for any summer recreational activities like a soccer game, wedding, or graduation – as large parks or forests may be subject to wildfires themselves this season. 

👉 Ultimately, the best thing that people can do during a wildfire smoke breakout is to stay inside and away from poor air quality that could make them sick.

Are the skies of Toronto and New York City yellow because of wildfire smoke?

Following the wildfires, many pictures have been taken and plastered across the web showing a hazy and yellow New York City skyline – looking almost apocalyptic. 

Multiple cities have been affected by the wildfire smoke, all the way from Toronto to as far as Kansas city – but many have wondered why the wildfire smoke has altered the color of the sky so much, with some cities seeming milkier and darker than usual.

It's another hazy day in St. Louis with temperatures returning to the 80s to near 90 today.   Wildfire smoke from eastern Canada is being drawn southwest into our region The air quality alert is back.

These fires are in eastern Canada. A blocking pattern in the atmosphere is sending the smoke as far west as Kansas City.  The smoke is heaviest along the east coast of the United States.

The smoke looks like a milky haze to the skies, despite the blue sky breaking through. The smoke appears to be thinner than Monday.

A weak front will drift across the region from northeast to southwest Wednesday with a couple of showers or spot storms possible.  Moisture is very limited, so coverage is going to be very sparse and of little help in easing dry conditions.

The odds for beneficial rain are increasing over the weekend. Many areas could be in line for the heaviest rain in weeks.

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Canadian wildfire smoke drifts as far west as Kansas City

Usually, sunlight comes down to Earth as a clear white beam that helps to produce ROYGBIV – or red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. However, when a wildfire occurs – particles of smoke end up being larger than the molecules that usually linger in the air and end up absorbing the blue, green, and purple hues we are used to seeing. Wildfire smoke can change how light is perceived and ultimately reflects different colors to us than we normally would view without wildfire smoke. 

👉 Think of the haze created by a campfire or someone barbecuing – the wildfires have had the same effect on the skies of entire cities.

The most recent wildfire smoke happened as a result of numerous wildfires that broke out across Canada – most notably the wildfires that happened north of Ottawa in Quebec and the wildfire outbreaks north of Calgary. 

These wildfires in Canada, resulting in the massive wildfire smoke seeping its way across the continent, has occurred as a result of human activity and changes to surrounding landscapes – which have made these areas more prone to wildfires.

As the wildfires across Canada run rampant, as this is expected to be one of the worst wildfire seasons in history for the country until August – the smoke from the wildfires in Eastern Canada are being pushed towards the U.S. and Canadian border due to high atmospheric pressure.  

How were cities affected by the wildfire smoke?

Multiple cities in both Canada and the United States have been greatly affected by the subsequent wildfire smoke from the wildfires occurring in Canada – such as Toronto, Ottawa, New York City, Washington D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago. 

Many of these cities were under alert for air quality warnings – with people being advised to stay inside until further notice and remaining wary of the potential health effects of wildfire smoke. Wind patterns have revealed that the aftermath of the Canadian wildfires could last for several days – with people in many major Midwest and northeast U.S. cities, in addition to the nearby Canadian cities, needing to remain vigilant of the current air quality before planning anything outdoors.

👉 In addition to threatening people on the ground, the deteriorated air quality from wildfire smoke has caused air traffic across the U.S. – with many flights experiencing delays due to the lack of visibility needed for flying.

In early January 2025, two major wildfires in the Los Angeles area broke out – with the biggest wildfires taking place in the Palisades and Eaton areas. 

💡 As a result, these areas have led to substantial smoke and deteriorated air quality – with the Los Angeles area still experiencing yellow levels of Air Quality Index (AQI) up to a week after the initial wildfire smoke was released into the air.

The most recent wildfires at the start of 2025 in Los Angeles demonstrate how even celebrities and day-to-day average citizens can be impacted by wildfires – as no amount of wealth, fame, or status can protect us from the negative consequences of climate change.

Palisades Fire – Having destroyed over 420 homes and with only 13% of the wildfire contained as of January 13th, 2025 – this has shown to be one of the most devastating wildfires and natural disasters in the state since the Malibu fires back in November 2018.

Eaton Fire – Having only been 27% contained as of Monday, January 13th 2025, taking 16 lives, and damaged over 7,000 buildings and homes – the Eaton fires have proven to be equally as destructive.  

Wildfire Smoke Impact on Air Quality in Los Angeles

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a wildfire smoke advisory for most of Southern California, including Los Angeles County, following the Palisades and Eaton wildfires – as this wildfire smoke was able to be seen for miles across Southern California.

💡 In fact, many areas in L.A. have reached "very unhealthy" of air quality – with some regions of Los Angeles recording PM2.5 concentrations.

Here's how you can stay safe in the midst of the Los Angeles wildfires:

Stay Indoors – People living in L.A., especially with underlying health conditions, are advised to stay indoors – such as by keeping windows and doors closed, and use air conditioning to filter indoor air.

Protect Employees – The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has urged employers to protect workers from wildfire smoke exposure. This can include implementing a short-term mask mandate or allow remote work until the air quality improves. 

Wear Proper Clothing – In addition to the negative effects of wildfire smoke from the recent wildfires, strong Santa Ana winds are making it more difficult for firefighters to put out existing fires. This means wearing clothing to protect not only your nose, but your eyes and mouth to avoid ingestion fine particle matter or foreign debris from entering your eyes. 

👉 Remember, for the most up-to-date information – it is paramount to consult the information provided by your local news outlets and official sources such as the South Coast Air Quality Management District and Cal Fire.

What are some ways to prevent wildfire smoke in the future?

The only surefire way to prevent wildfire smoke from occurring, is to lessen the likelihood of wildfires happening – something that has become common from California to Australia in recent years due to climate change.

While climate change ultimately holds the power to spur on the drastic wildfires that are causing wildfire smoke, there are still several things that humans can do to lessen the potential impact or occurrence of a wildfire.

For instance, one of the best ways to prevent a wildfire is to check drought conditions before choosing an area to have an activity. Common summer festivities such as fireworks for the 4th of July or a barbecue could easily facilitate a wildfire under the right weather conditions. Staying away from anything flammable is imperative and can help prevent a wildfire all together, which also helps to prevent wildfire smoke.

Taking care of your vehicles, various equipment, and keeping cars off of dry grass is also key – as the heat left behind the engines could easily spread further than you think and provoke future wildfires and wildfire smoke.

👉 Keeping anything that could cause a fire or even create heat away from dry vegetation is key to preventing wildfires.

At the end of the day, wildfire smoke is a serious health hazard as it could cause impaired respiratory system functioning and impact livelihood. 

Therefore, it is best to prevent wildfire smoke from even occurring – as it’s easier and more beneficial to prevent wildfires from happening in the future rather than to try and course correct a massive wildfire smoke outbreak like the one currently taking both the U.S. and Canada by storm.

If reading this article about if wildfire smoke is dangerous for your health has made you interested in reducing your carbon emissions to further fight against climate change – Greenly can help you!

Wildfires and the subsequent smoke is just one of the many surprising things to occur or be aggravated by in the midst of climate change, but don’t worry – Greenly is here to help. Book a demo with one of our specialists to learn more. 

Greenly can help you make an environmental change for the better, starting with a carbon footprint assessment to know how much carbon emissions your company produces.

What is the air quality index, how does it work, why is it important in today’s society as climate change progresses, and how can air quality index be improved?

What is the Air Quality Index?

Many people may not realize that some of the most harmful pollutants there are in the world exist in the atmosphere, better known as air pollution which is calculated by air quality index – or AQI for short. 

Air quality index is becoming an important tool to help measure the quality of the air and the harmful effects that air pollution poses, given many wildfires and subsequent wildfire smoke have been occurring as a result of global warming and increased human activity. 

What is the air quality index, how does air quality data work, why is it important in today’s society as climate change progresses, and how can air quality index be improved?

What is the air quality index and how does it work?

The air quality index is a method to report the daily air quality to communicate how polluted it is in a certain area. Ultimately, the air quality index is beneficial because it can help prevent people with increased health risks from exposing themselves to poor air quality and suffering from the consequences of air pollution.

The AQI, or Air Quality Index, works by determining the health effects someone may have after a few hours to a few days of being exposed to excessively polluted air. In addition to this, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) helps to calculate the Air Quality Index (AQI) with the help of the five major  pollutants regulated in the Clean Air Act: 

The EPA has established various air quality standards for each pollutant to encourage the country to improve malicious exposure to the public. 

👉 Ground-level ozone and airborne particles are the two pollution which are most detrimental to human health and safety in the United States – as these two major pollutants can elicit more serious health effects and can easily raise a health concern for sensitive groups.

A description of what the AQI scale means for the air we breathe.

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The AQI Explained

Air Quality Index (AQI) is measured with the help of the EPA on a numerical scale ranging from 0 to 500 – with lower numbers demonstrating better air quality and higher numbers correlating to worse air quality.

💡 The lower the number is, the more there is little or no risk to experiencing the negative health effects of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and more. 

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>AQI Range</th>
      <th>Air Quality Category</th>
      <th>Health Implications</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>0-50</td>
      <td>Green = Good</td>
      <td>Air quality is fine and does not pose a health risk.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>51-100</td>
      <td>Yellow = Moderate</td>
      <td>Air quality is fair, but there could be some pollutants that could prove sensitive for some people.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>101-150</td>
      <td>Orange = Unhealthy for Certain or Susceptible People</td>
      <td>Those sensitive or susceptible to air pollution may have side effects, but the general public isn’t as likely to be affected.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>151-200</td>
      <td>Red = Unhealthy</td>
      <td>People in good health may feel the effects of the current air quality; sensitive people may have serious effects.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>201-300</td>
      <td>Purple = Very Unhealthy</td>
      <td>Emergency health warnings may be necessary as air quality starts to affect the majority of the population.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>301-500</td>
      <td>Maroon = Hazardous</td>
      <td>Health alerts are crucial as everyone is prone to experience severe health side effects.</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>


👉 Think of the air quality monitoring like the stadiometers used at the amusement park for people to measure their height. The taller someone is, the higher they stand on the stadiometer – just like the Air Quality Index. The higher the number on the “ruler” or scale for AQI value, the worse the current air pollution is and the more cause for concern in terms of public health.

An Air Quality Index (AQI) of 50 or below is generally representative of good air quality, whereas an AQI of over 300 is worrisome and represents a dangerous Air Quality Index.

Air Quality Index levels that are above 100 are concerning to the general public – as it starts to have a serious impact on vulnerable groups of people: such as those who are pregnant, children, those with pre-existing health conditions, and the elderly. 

👉 The Air Quality Index (AQI) is split into six, color coded categories to help make it easier for people to recognize Air Quality Index faster and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from poor air quality.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is important because it is the primary method used to communicate the current air quality to ensure the public remains informed of the current levels of air pollution. 

However, there are more reasons besides being a means of communication why the Air Quality Index is important. For instance, the Air Quality Index can help people to understand why they have developed new allergies or health circumstances by learning about the concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere where they live. This can help people learn which medications and precautions to take to protect themselves from poor air quality in the future. 

 💡As a result, the Air Quality Index can help raise awareness on the importance of seeking to improve the air quality in the United States. 

How does air quality data help in the fight against climate change?

Unbeknownst to most, the Air Quality Index can also serve as a tool to understand the impact of our daily human activities on pollution. This is because a high Air Quality Index is often a result of rising greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the Air Quality Index can encourage us to become more sustainable and develop innovative ways to reduce our carbon footprint.

Lastly, the Air Quality Index can serve as numerical data to persuade policymakers and public health agencies to develop new, up-to-date environmental policies. In other words, old environmental legislation will not be effective in a world where 70,000 wildfires occur every year. Documented proof of poor air quality may help to send government and other officials to the edge to pass legislation that could actually work to help improve poor air quality.

💡 Air Quality Index (AQI) can help to prevent people susceptible to lung or cardiovascular health problems from being exposed in poor air quality for too long. 

Think of air quality index in a similar way to people with diabetes that measure their blood sugar before deciding to eat something or not – air quality index works in a similar way as it can help people to monitor their intake of polluted or toxic substances in the air. Just like someone with diabetes and sugar, someone vulnerable to poor air quality doesn’t have to limit their exposure outside entirely – but the air quality index can help them to avoid being outside when air pollution is at its worst.

👉 Ultimately, the Air Quality Index is imperative to spread awareness, encourage governments to create stronger environmental legislation to improve the current air quality, and to protect the health of Americans.

Why was the Air Quality Index (AQI) in New York City alarming?

In June 2023, wildfire smoke took over the New York City skyline as a result of wildfires in Canada that same year. This led to record-breaking air pollution, with New York City recording some of the worst air quality across the world during its smoggy week in summer 2023.

Here are some reasons why the Air Quality Index in New York City was concerning:

Amount of Fine Particles in the Air –  A smoky NYC skyline saw an AQI that exceeded 400, which is far beyond the "healthy" air quality data – meaning that the air was filled with numerous fine particles which could cause people to experience health effects.

Health Effects of Long-Term Exposure – These conditions lasted in NYC for several days, making the city (home to around 8 million people) unhealthy for sensitive groups as it made them more susceptible to effects such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, throat irritation, and even heart disease. Furthermore, residents of the city reported other respiratory issues – such as eye irritation and increased risk to asthma.

Impact to Groups Unusually Sensitive – The air quality forecast in NYC during June 2023 made almost everyone sensitive to air pollution, as emergency conditions were sent out to millions of New Yorkers to advise that outdoor activities, such as school sports and public events – were canceled or postponed. This demonstrated how even young, healthy resdients of a vibrant city such as New York can remain vulnerable to the effects of climate change – as it can have an impact on your personal life.

"Wildfires are likely to become more common with climate change, so it is critical that we examine public health impacts and risks associated with these events." – Dr. James McDonald, State Health Commissioner.

The New York State Department and New York City officials advised all residents to use masks and stay indoors as much as possible, which then inspired public awareness campaigns which highlighted the negative impacts of remaining exposed to wildfire smoke for too long. 

👉 Furthermore, the New York State Department released a study in June 2023 after the wildfire smoke on its impact on people with asthma to pinpoint the dangerous effects of climate-change induced weather. 

 💡 Ultimately, the wildfire smoke in a location as reputable as NYC illustrated the need to further dedicate ourselves to environmental conservation – as the event demonstrates the growing frequency of weather-related impacts as a result of climate change. 

What are some places in the world with the best and worst air quality index?

Unfortunately, mass production and the spike of the industrial revolution have resulted in most major cities across the globe falling subject to a poor rating on the Air Quality Index. However, that being said – there are some cities that have exceptionally poor air quality.

Places with the worst air quality (Worst AQI)

Here are a few of the world’s cities with the worst Air Quality Index:

With the population of the metro area of this bustling Asian city totaling to almost 33 million people, Delhi has some of the worst air quality in the world – with an Air Quality Index of 202. This puts Delhi in the purple (or very unhealthy) range for the Air Quality Index.

Ranking 125, or orange (unhealthy for vulnerable people) on the Air Quality Index, this South American city has relatively low air quality according to the Air Quality Index.

Home to new architecture and a melting pot of cultures, this middle eastern city ranks 117, also orange (unhealthy for vulnerable people) on the Air Quality Index – large in part from excessive vehicle emissions.

Places with the best air quality (Best AQI)

However, not all cities struggle to prevent toxic particles and pollutants from making a home in their sky. 

Here's a list of cities with some of the best air quality in the world:

It isn’t just all the fresh mountain air that makes Switzerland smell so crisp, and though it certainly doesn't hurt – Zurich and Switzerland as a whole have some of the best air quality in the world in part due to the city's strong efforts to reduce pollution from vehicles. This has been done by ensuring public transportation such as trams are always provided.

👉 Did you know that all tourists staying in hotels in Switzerland are always offered a complimentary public transportation pass? This is how the country encourages even travelers to reduce their carbon footprint and improve air quality.

Secluded in between mainland North America and Europe, this city often makes use of its own geothermal energy to prevent the need to use finite resources such as fossil fuel – giving Reykjavik an Air Quality Index of 15.

South of Sydney and east of Canberra, this Australian city has an Air Quality Index of 50, making it one of the least polluted cities in the world with good air quality.

Is there a way that cities like Dubai, Delhi, and Santiago can improve their Air Quality Index?

Besides with stricter environmental legislation and national programs such as the Clean Air Act – there are many things that people can do in their daily lives to help improve the Air Quality Index in their area.

For starters, one of the best things that people can do is to drive their cars less – opting to bike, walk, or use public transportation can make a big difference. If this isn’t feasible where you live, investing in an electric car or other kinds of electric vehicles may be worthwhile – and under Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, you’ll be subject to a tax reduction. This can also help to reduce gas consumption, which is another culprit of a poor rating on the Air Quality Index.

Making sure your car remains in top condition is another way to ensure that excess emissions are being prevented, in a similar way it’s important to rinse your razor for a cleaner shave or empty your backpack from heavy items so you can walk faster. 

👉 A poor rating on the Air Quality Index is often a result of excessively using vehicles that make use of gasoline.

Small things like aiming to recycle and prevent the use of plastic can also help to improve the Air Quality Index. This is because plastic can cause greenhouse gas emissions which pollute the air.

Ultimately, the Air Quality Index serves as a great tool to tell us the current quality of the air outside and to protect people from getting sick – but how we move forward with that data and strive to improve the Air Quality Index for current and future generations is the most useful thing we could all do with that data.

If reading this article the Air Quality Index (AQI) has made you interested in reducing your carbon emissions to further fight against climate change – Greenly can help you!

The Air Quality Index (AQI) U.S. is just one of the many environmental policies, methods, and tools being developed to take control of climate change. Check out our legislation tracker here to see which rules your company has to adhere to.

In this article, we'll explore the insights from the Greenly Scientific Council's Annual Review on carbon accounting, sustainability, and ESG strategies, highlighting the evolving trends and practices in sustainable business.

The 2024 Review of Greenly's Scientific Council

The Greenly Scientific Council's Annual Review is a gathering of experts, offering insights and discussions in the fields of carbon accounting, sustainability, and ESG strategies. In this article, we delve into the key topics raised: from carbon accounting methodology to the evolving role of corporate social responsibility, the learnings shared by the Council's professionals offer a clear view of the current and future state of sustainable practices in business. 

Greenly's Scientific Council: A blend of experience and expertise 

Greenly has assembled a diverse team of professionals comprising experts, economists, and influential figures from civil society. Their expertise ranges across a variety of areas such as carbon accounting, environmental policy, and the advancement of new technologies. 

Greenly’s Scientific Council will progressively perform  a number of crucial functions: 

Sharing of research topics to inspire Greenly’s product developments

The Scientific Council plays a supportive role in Greenly’s product development by providing insights from recent academic research. This collaboration helps inform Greenly's approach, contributing to the ongoing evolution and refinement of its products. 

Enhancement of Greenly’s methods and results

Greenly's Scientific Council brings together a diverse range of expertise to offer valuable advice and insights. We plan to make sure this contributes to the enhancement of Greenly’s methods and results, ensuring the company stays informed and aligned with relevant scientific perspectives.

Discussion of possible research opportunities using Greenly’s operational insights

The Scientific Council engages in discussions about potential research opportunities using Greenly’s operational data. This initiative aims to identify areas where Greenly's extensive data might contribute to advancements in environmental science. While still in the early stages, these efforts have the potential to provide valuable, data-driven insights to both Greenly and its clients.

This year, the Greenly Scientific Council had the pleasure of welcoming speakers and annual review participants, each a leader in their respective domains. Attendees were as follows:

François Cluzel - Professor at Centrale Supelec, design engineering and sustainable systems expert

Loic Umbricht - Head of Research and Methodology at Greenly

Marine Kohler - Carbon Accounting Engineer at Greenly

Michel Bauer - Author, sociologist and economist

Natalia Costa i Coromina - Associate at Energy Impact Partners

Paul De Kerret - Engineering Manager and Technical Lead at Greenly

Peter Foxpenner - Partner and Chief Impact Officer at Energy Impact Partners

Philippe Ciblat - Professor at Telecom Paris

Rodolphe Durand - Strategy and Business Policy Professor at HEC

Yann Leroy - Professor at Centrale Supelec, sustainable industrial systems and innovation engineering expert

These experts offer a wide variety of insights and advice, addressing pressing ESG issues and emerging developments. Their varied backgrounds enable the council to provide well-rounded, forward-thinking guidance, crucial for navigating the complex landscape of carbon accounting and environmental, social, and governance challenges.

Transcript
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Greenly - The go-to carbon accounting platform for your business!

Every year, Greenly's Scientific Council holds an annual review to evaluate Greenly's progress and present the latest research in carbon accounting and ESG. 

💡 Complementing this key annual event, Greenly is also planning to conduct monthly events on specific topics, bringing in diverse presenters to explore various facets of environmental sustainability. This approach not only highlights Greenly's ongoing commitment to progress but also fosters continual learning and discussion throughout the year.

As we explore the key findings of this year's Annual Review, we uncover what industry experts identify as the most critical issues. These observations not only illuminate the main challenges currently facing the sector but also offer perspectives on potential future developments within the industry. Let’s delve deeper into the primary topics discussed.

The need for more granular emission factors

Accurate carbon assessments hinge on the granularity of emissions factors, with the most detailed being those directly linked to specific companies and their products, calculated through comprehensive life cycle analysis. This level of detail is crucial for clients making environmentally responsible decisions, such as choosing sustainable suppliers or products. Relying solely on average emissions factors means that clients risk selecting suboptimal or even harmful options.

💡 For clients intent on implementing impactful environmental action plans, the use of average emissions factors can impede the realization of meaningful change in total emissions. In contrast, highly granular emissions factors offer a more precise approach.

The complexity of supplier-level emissions factors

Acquiring granular emissions data at the supplier level can be challenging. Few suppliers disclose their greenhouse gas emissions, and even fewer provide comprehensive life cycle assessments. Moreover, data quality varies significantly due to the use of different software and data formats, posing a challenge for comparison.

One potential solution to this issue lies in the adoption of a common framework, such as the Partnership for Carbon Transparency, applicable to life cycle assessments (LCAs). Such standardized frameworks provide data-sharing guidelines, directing companies on the type of data that they should be collecting and helping to ensure that data is published in a certain format. This facilitates the sharing of emissions factors in a consistent and comparable manner. 

👉 Although the Partnership for Carbon Transparency establishes foundational guidelines for collecting comparable data, Greenly recognizes that this framework alone may not be sufficient. To address this gap, Greenly takes additional measures, going beyond the standards to enhance data comparability and accuracy, ensuring a more robust and reliable approach to environmental reporting.

Greenly's supplier-specific emissions factors collection methods

Data collection and emissions factor accuracy are always hot topics in the world of carbon accounting, and at Greenly, it’s not something we take lightly. We strive to achieve the most accurate carbon footprint calculations through rigorous and scientifically informed methodology. 

When it comes to supplier emissions factors, at Greenly we collect data in two ways: 

Monetary emission factors (spend-based method) - Calculating emissions based on a supplier's greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory divided by their revenue. Greenly adheres to strict criteria to ensure the reliability of monetary emissions factors by employing minimum criteria. This includes assessing whether the supplier's GHG assessment is complete, assessing the revenue disclosures, and also conducting a benchmark check to ensure that the data provided meets certain minimum standards. 

Activity-based emission factors - The second method used by Greenly is the activity method, which involves detailed product life cycle assessments. This method is more complex, as comprehensive LCAs are not always available. As is the case with monetary emission factors, Greenly validates such data against benchmark values to ensure accuracy.

Although spend-based emissions factors are not as precise as activity-based emissions factors, they do have their advantages. They are more scalable, making them a more accessible option for companies calculating their Scope 3 emissions. Encouraging businesses to engage in this calculation is beneficial. However, it’s important to note that activity-based data is superior in accuracy and should be preferred whenever feasible. Greenly not only recognizes the importance of monetary emissions factors but also strongly advocates for and assists clients in conducting activity-based studies, aiming to make their use as accurate as possible through rigorous methodology.

Emissions factors are integral to Greenly and its clients. Our goal is to ensure these factors are of the highest quality for the most accurate carbon footprint calculations. We strive for our computations to be auditable, regulation-compliant, and of verified quality while being easily shareable with clients and suppliers.

Greenly delves deep into data collection, starting with spend-based factors and progressing to activity-based and individual supplier data analysis. We’re committed to attaining the most precise and reliable data possible, reflecting our dedication to environmental accuracy and accountability.

The Transformative Impact of CSR Initiatives: Insights from Rodolphe Durand

Rodolphe Durand, a distinguished Professor at HEC, delved into the evolving role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in modern businesses. His highly informative presentation highlighted a shift within the business sector from a sole focus on shareholder value maximization to a broader consideration of all stakeholders, including communities and the environment. This approach is not just ethically sound, but is also a catalyst for long-term value creation.

Shareholder perception and the value of CSR  

Durand's research revealed a growing recognition among shareholders of the intrinsic value of CSR, albeit with certain caveats. Long-term investors, in particular, are increasingly conscious of climate risks and seek to safeguard their investments accordingly. Asset managers are also responding by developing new categories, such as funds focused on ESG investments.

An analysis of companies listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) indicated that announcements of CSR initiatives don't necessarily lead to immediate stock value changes, suggesting that the market often preemptively prices in these factors. However, the study also found that long-term investors are more likely to invest in these companies upon the release of such indices. This behavior indicates growing investor interest in companies that actively engage in CSR, recognizing their potential for long-term value.

Shareholder activism and CSR transparency

Another interesting learning focused on shareholder activism, which intensifies with an increase in a company's CSR initiatives. Activists often target vague or superficial CSR efforts, highlighting the importance of transparency and authentic commitment. Companies that clearly communicate and sincerely implement their CSR strategies are more resilient to such activism, emphasizing the need for genuine and impactful communication strategies to effectively dispel any perceptions of 'greenwashing'. 

Further studies underscore the multitude of benefits associated with robust CSR practices. These include enhancing operational efficiency, spurring innovation, maintaining competitiveness during crises, and unlocking financing opportunities like green bonds and loans which are often contingent on achieving specific CSR objectives.

CSR is also hugely beneficial for companies when it comes to employee satisfaction. Studies show that a vast majority of employees value a purpose-driven workplace (82%), with many placing this above profit (72%). This sentiment translates into enhanced job performance, as employees feel more motivated and aligned with their company's values and CSR commitments.

Advancing circular economy and eco-design: Insights from François Cluzel 

François Cluzel, a renowned Mechanical Engineer and leader of the Design Engineering Research Group at Laboratoire de Génie Industriel (LGI) from the French engineering school CentraleSupélec, shared insights into the circular economy and eco-design. His research offers valuable strategies for integrating eco-design into the early stages of a product's lifecycle.

Integrating eco-design in the product lifecycle

Cluzel's discussion emphasized the complexities of incorporating eco-design in production processes. Achieving sustainability in both materials and manufacturing methods is challenging, requiring the integration of eco-design at the beginning, or upstream phase, of a product's lifecycle. This stage, often intricate and lengthy, plays a crucial role in shaping the product's overall environmental impact. It's not just about selecting sustainable materials; it involves embedding eco-conscious practices into every step of the production process.

This is why developing an eco-friendly design for the entire system presents significant challenges. Often, the complexity and scope of these processes make conducting a full life cycle assessment impractical. However, the emphasis remains on the importance of incorporating these sustainable practices as early as possible in the product's development to ensure a more environmentally responsible end product.

Environmental risk as an alternative to life cycle assessment

When full life cycle assessments are impractical, Cluzel suggests environmental risk assessment as an effective alternative. This approach is considered to be more accessible and understandable, focusing on assessing potential environmental risks rather than the environmental impacts. These assessments typically draw from high-level analyses of previous life cycle assessments, offering a pragmatic way to gauge environmental footprints.

Another area of discussion was on how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can adopt and maintain a circular economy model. The proposed methodology involves identifying key areas of impact (such as activities, materials, and processes), and formulating short, medium, and long-term strategies, accompanied by continuous monitoring to assess effectiveness. This approach provides SMEs with a practical roadmap to embrace circular economy principles.

Eco-design in electronics and space systems

The discussion also touched upon two additional areas of interest:

Electronics repair and usage - The challenges in this sector include dismantling processes, the compatibility of reused components, and the availability of spare parts, all crucial for the effective recycling and reuse of electronic devices.


Circular space and terrestrial systems - François Cluzel highlighted the intriguing aspect of life support systems used in space missions. These systems, which recycle essentials like waste water and air for space crews, offer innovative solutions that can be applied here on Earth - for example, advanced wastewater recycling systems are highly relevant to our Earth-bound society. Moreover, the models developed for these systems can be adapted to monitor Earth's life systems, showcasing the potential of space technology in enhancing terrestrial sustainability.

Evaluating investment impact and advancing net zero goals: Insights from Peter Foxpenner

Peter Foxpenner, Partner and Chief Impact Officer at Energy Impact Partners, led a discussion on aligning investment strategies with net zero initiatives. His insights shed light on the critical role of investments in driving the clean energy transition.

Broad spectrum investment in clean energy

What is carbon accounting?