Could breathing become a luxury? Wildfires in Canada have sent clouds of smoke across huge areas of North America. Some think this is a sign of things to come.
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Americans stay inside as sky turns orange
Could breathing become a luxury? Wildfires in Canada have sent clouds of smoke across huge areas of North America. Some think this is a sign of things to come.
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What's happening?
The actress Jodie Comer had just started performing her play in New YorkA city in the USA. It is in a state also called New York. . But 10 minutes in, she suddenly stopped. She said she could not breathe.
The city has been covered with thick orange smoke. The smoke has blown over the USA from wildfires in CanadaA country in North America. It is the second-largest country in the world by land area. .
Now, millions in Canada and more than 100 million Americans are breathing in air filled with smoke.
In New York, people were asked to stay inside or wear masks if they had to go out. Schools cancelled outdoor activities.
One politician in New York called the smoke a "warning from nature" about climate changeLong-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change..
Find out more
Air pollution is linked to many health problems, including in the lungs, heart and brain.
Yes! Many people take the clean air around them for granted. But as climate change causes more extreme weather, clean air may become much more rare.
No! This is just one event - the air will clear soon. But it is also a warning sign to act now to stop climate change and keep the air safe.
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Could breathing become a luxurySomething that makes your life very comfortable or pleasant. ?
Keywords
New York - A city in the USA. It is in a state also called New York.
Canada - A country in North America. It is the second-largest country in the world by land area.
Climate change - Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change.
Luxury - Something that makes your life very comfortable or pleasant.
Americans stay inside as sky turns orange
Emergent emergency: The WHO refers to dirty air as “the world’s largest environmental health risk". Glossary
New York - A city in the USA. It is in a state also called New York.
Canada - A country in North America. It is the second-largest country in the world by land area.
Climate change - Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change.
Luxury - Something that makes your life very comfortable or pleasant.