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. . 

The fires have forced at least 20,000 people to leave their homes in Canada. 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.. At one point, New York City had the worst air pollutionThe presence in the air of harmful or poisonous substances. Air pollution can cause many health problems. of any city in the world. 

Find out more 

Wildfires are not unusual in woodlands in Canada. But these fires are earlier in the year and bigger than normal. They are also linked to weeks of unusual extremeVery great, or beyond what is expected. heat. 

Air pollution is linked to many health problems, including in the lungs, heart and brain. And it is often worse in poorer areas, where there are more likely to be big roads, power plants and unsafe buildings. 

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.