Fires burning across the Amazon in the summer of 2019 attracted global attention for the widespread destruction of natural ecosystems and regional smoke production. Using a combination of satellite fire observations and atmospheric modeling, Nawaz and Henze (2020, https://doi.org.10.1029/2020GH000268) provide new evidence for the widespread regional public health consequences attributed to these fires. They find that approximately 10% of premature deaths in Brazil due to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) are attributable to smoke pollution and highlight how fire locations play a critical role in determining downwind health impacts.

A preliminary investigation was carried out by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the impact of regional ozone concentrations on climate change in the country. The main objective of the investigation was to enhance the ability of air quality managers to consider global change in their decisions through improved characterization of the potential effects of global change on air quality, including O3, PM, and Hg. An integrated assessment framework was designed that supported the research and development efforts within the EPA and the academic research professionals. This design recognized the challenges of bridging spatial scales, temporal scales, and disciplines that characterize the global change and regional air quality problem. A major component of the assessment approach involved the development and application of global to regional climate and air quality modeling systems.