Global Exposure To Combined Heat Waves And Wildfire Smoke Increases

A 20-year study by Monash University researchers reveals that global population exposure to same-day heat waves and wildfire smoke increased by 287 million people between 2000 and 2019. Over half of the world's population has experienced these conjoined extreme weather events, which amplify respiratory and cardiovascular health risks.

The study found that 916 million people experience at least one co-exposure day annually, with the global annual average rising from one day in 2000-2009 to 1.7 days in 2010-2019. Top affected countries include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, and Russia.

Editor's note: States global annual average rose from 'one day' to '1.7 days', but source explicitly states the overall average was 1.3 days per person, rising from 1.0 to 1.7.