Some people record every day the impact of pollution and climate change on the quality of the air we breathe. And at the same time they deal with rain, sunshine, snow and thunderstorms. Such is the case for Paolo Corazzon, the well-known meteorologist at 3B Meteo, who reminded us just how much the poor quality of our atmosphere has an effect that is unfortunately now beyond doubt: that of shortening our lives. "It's an unpleasant thing to say, but unavoidable. 400,000 premature deaths are counted in Europe every year. It is estimated that we could live an average of two years longer if only we breathed clean air. We are paying an extremely high price for pollution," he stressed to LifeGate.

We started from an analysis of Legambiente's Mal'Aria report. The air in our cities really is bad. From your vantage point, what are the physical elements that help us breathe better?
For years scientists have been studying the links between meteorology, atmospheric currents and the concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere. The help that weather conditions can provide in improving the air we breathe is fundamental, starting with rain, which literally "washes" our atmosphere. There is also another important element: wind. Although, by its very nature, it does not always act as we would like. Because it can move pollutants from polluted areas to areas that are not. But there are also other meteorological factors that influence air quality, such as sunlight and high temperatures, especially in the presence of pollution. A combination that in summer gives rise to ozone, a pollutant gas that we know should not be found in the lower part of the atmosphere, the troposphere. Together they generate chemical processes in the atmosphere that, starting from nitrogen oxides — themselves always produced by human activity — produce ozone. A substance whose concentration is becoming increasingly worrying and which we ingest with negative effects on our health.

Ozone, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter. These are all pollutants that come from human activities, though.
Very true, but not everyone knows that pollution is also produced by substances of natural origin. Such as pollen, which contributes to polluting our air and combines with chemical agents and particulate matter. We know it has very severe effects on allergy sufferers, who are increasingly exposed. Also because the flowering season is growing ever longer, with consequences for the health of many. One thing is certain: pollution is linked both to human activity and to natural factors. Both can, however, be amplified or resolved by weather conditions. A glaring example comes from the Po Valley. One of the most polluted areas in Italy and Europe for a number of reasons. From its geographical configuration, to its extremely high population density, to traffic, industry, heating and livestock farming. But what is less well known is that in winter a kind of "cap" forms in the atmosphere above the Po Valley. This factor prevents the dispersal of pollutants, due to the presence of warmer air at altitude than in the lower layers, and encourages their accumulation. And this too is one of the reasons why we find ourselves breathing extremely dirty air.

In a sense, you meteorologists are no longer limited to weather forecasts alone, but also to pollution forecasts. How has your work evolved over the years?
It's true, we also produce pollution forecasts — or more precisely, forecasts of the concentration of the main pollutants every day. Starting from suspended particulates such as PM10 and PM2.5, through to sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide. As well as pollen, on an experimental basis. These are fundamental pieces of information, especially for the segments of the population most at risk, such as children and the elderly. On the other hand, with the arrival of summer in particular, we will increasingly hear from the media recommendations not to expose the most vulnerable individuals during the hottest hours of the day — not only because of the effects of heat on our bodies, but also due to the concentration of pollutants such as ozone. So our work as meteorologists can also be useful for knowing not only whether it will rain tomorrow, but what air we will be breathing. Concentrations that are determined scientifically from daily concentration data and then combined with meteorological forecasts. Through statistical models we are able to indicate the distribution and dispersal of pollutants over a 48–72 hour period. Invaluable information for those with respiratory, cardiovascular or allergy problems. Without forgetting that we need to "look after" outdoor air in order to improve the quality of indoor air in our homes, which is often at risk of being of even worse quality. For various reasons we have gone back to heating our homes with pellet stoves. It is an economical and natural method, but we cannot forget that combustion produces carbon dioxide and fumes, as well as particulate matter that we then breathe in.

3B Meteo ✓ @3BMeteo

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Oggi è la #giornatamondialedellaterra ma la Terra va salvaguardata ogni giorno

#22Aprile #EarthDay2021

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♥ 5 22 apr 2021 · Apri su X →

Does climate change have any influence on the quality of the air we breathe?
Starting from the Po Valley, in recent months we have had the bora wind and in recent weeks Saharan dust. Throughout the Mediterranean we are witnessing phenomena that are also attributable to climate change. And the link between climate change and air quality is undeniable. Beyond the problem of tropospheric ozone, we must bear in mind that the Mediterranean area is warming more and more. We are seeing increasingly prolonged periods of drought and temperatures well above the norm. Factors that in turn are triggering further chain reactions. We forget, for example, that having warmer temperatures also means having warmer seas. This is very serious. Because a warmer Mediterranean is less able to absorb carbon dioxide. The same goes for all the other seas and oceans, which are losing one of the fundamental characteristics of the world's bodies of water for the health of the planet — indeed, they are in turn releasing it. We also have increasingly irregular rainfall. It is true that rain helps to clean the air, but more and more often we are seeing periods of intense and heavy precipitation alternating with drought. Factors that promote wildfires and prevent the control of those set deliberately. With the release into the atmosphere of yet more particulate matter and carbon dioxide. It is true that the latter is not dangerous to us, but we know it is to the planet. In short, everything we do has a certain impact on our Planet.

3B Meteo ✓ @3BMeteo

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Brutta notizia: i colori dei fiori non saranno più gli stessi a causa dei #cambiamenticlimatici. Ecco perché

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♥ 7💬 1 29 apr 2021 · Apri su X →

So, after this picture — not exactly comforting, but certainly realistic — what can we do?
I think each of us can do something in our daily lives. Starting with saving energy. If I leave a light on, I use energy that very often is not produced from renewable sources. That too is polluting. Avoiding waste is already a fundamental help for us and the planet. Then of course we certainly need more incisive political decisions and measures in the public interest to change the quality of our air, but beyond the issue of transport there are also other factors that we can control and on which we can act to reduce emissions of pollutants and carbon dioxide. Such as eating locally sourced food, avoiding foods that we know have not been produced or transported sustainably. Such as exotic fruit and palm oil, a cause of deforestation. And perhaps we should try to change our habits and eat less meat. It is by now well known that intensive livestock farming makes a significant contribution to air pollution. In short, we need to be more sustainable in our every daily action. That too helps us breathe better and live longer.