Inside Climate News | Ember McCoy, a doctoral researcher studying air pollution in Detroit’s Black and Latino neighborhoods, is among hundreds affected by the Trump administration’s abrupt halt of existing National Science Foundation grants linked to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The funding freeze has jeopardized environmental justice research and sparked legal and academic backlash over its impact on underserved communities.

Washington State Department of Ecology | In celebration of Air Quality Awareness Week, Washington state’s Department of Ecology is spotlighting the behind-the-scenes teams who maintain its air monitoring network—ensuring real-time, reliable data to protect public health. From the Telemetry Team’s rapid data troubleshooting to the Calibration and QA crews’ technical precision, these unsung “air quality superheroes” keep the public informed and empowered to respond to pollution.

Business Wire | During Air Quality Awareness Week, Clean Air Partners is urging Baltimore-Washington residents to cut air pollution by greening their lawn care habits—highlighting that an hour of gas-powered mowing can emit as much pollution as a 300-mile drive. The group is promoting electric tool exchanges and backyard sustainability tips as part of a campaign to protect public health and reduce ground-level ozone.

American Lung Association | The 2025 State of the Air report reveals a sharp rise in ozone pollution across the U.S., driven not only by extreme heat but also by wildfire smoke, which fuels ozone formation even thousands of miles from the source. Once declining thanks to emissions controls, ozone levels are now rebounding—putting millions at heightened risk of serious respiratory and cardiovascular harm as climate change intensifies wildfires.

The Washington Post | The Trump administration briefly suspended air-quality monitoring at all 63 U.S. national parks, halting data collection critical for regulating pollution and protecting public health—though the decision was later reversed following internal pushback. Experts warn such disruptions undermine efforts to track harmful pollutants like ozone and particulate matter, which affect both ecosystems and human health.

The Kathmandu Post | Kathmandu’s air quality crisis—driven by vehicle emissions, construction dust, and forest fires—is costing Nepal up to $4 billion annually and cutting citizens’ life expectancy by years. A proposed shift toward treating clean air as a national economic and health priority includes forming a Clean Air Task Force, launching green transport bonds, and piloting emissions trading systems to combat what experts call Nepal’s “billion-dollar smog.”

The Guardian | The Miami Grand Prix has become a billion-dollar spectacle of celebrity and speed, but its placement in the predominantly Black, working-class community of Miami Gardens has raised lasting concerns about environmental justice and displacement. While lawsuits over noise and air pollution have failed to gain traction, critics argue the event reflects a broader pattern of pushing disruptive developments into communities with the least political power to resist.

BBC | Surrey has launched its first School Street scheme near Farnham Heath End School, restricting vehicle access on Bullers Road during peak hours to cut air pollution and improve safety. The initiative is part of a £3 million county-wide investment, with more schemes planned for other schools.

ScienceDirect.com | Researchers have developed innovative calixarene-based cryopolymers that can both detect and remove pollutants from air and water, addressing a major gap in current remediation technologies. These porous materials operate via dual absorption mechanisms and visibly detect airborne NO₂, offering a multifunctional platform for environmental cleanup.

EurekAlert! | A CMAJ study found that Ontario saw a significant spike—up to 24%—in asthma-related emergency visits following early June 2023 wildfire smoke, though a second episode later that month had no similar effect. Researchers suggest protective medications and behavioral adaptations may have helped, while experts urge Canada to adopt consistent strategies to reduce smoke exposure as wildfires grow more frequent and severe.

Inside Climate News | Ember McCoy, a doctoral researcher studying air pollution in Detroit’s Black and Latino neighborhoods, is among hundreds affected by the Trump administration’s abrupt halt of existing National Science Foundation grants linked to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The funding freeze has jeopardized environmental justice research and sparked legal and academic backlash over its impact on underserved communities.

Washington State Department of Ecology | In celebration of Air Quality Awareness Week, Washington state’s Department of Ecology is spotlighting the behind-the-scenes teams who maintain its air monitoring network—ensuring real-time, reliable data to protect public health. From the Telemetry Team’s rapid data troubleshooting to the Calibration and QA crews’ technical precision, these unsung “air quality superheroes” keep the public informed and empowered to respond to pollution.

Business Wire | During Air Quality Awareness Week, Clean Air Partners is urging Baltimore-Washington residents to cut air pollution by greening their lawn care habits—highlighting that an hour of gas-powered mowing can emit as much pollution as a 300-mile drive. The group is promoting electric tool exchanges and backyard sustainability tips as part of a campaign to protect public health and reduce ground-level ozone.

American Lung Association | The 2025 State of the Air report reveals a sharp rise in ozone pollution across the U.S., driven not only by extreme heat but also by wildfire smoke, which fuels ozone formation even thousands of miles from the source. Once declining thanks to emissions controls, ozone levels are now rebounding—putting millions at heightened risk of serious respiratory and cardiovascular harm as climate change intensifies wildfires.

The Washington Post | The Trump administration briefly suspended air-quality monitoring at all 63 U.S. national parks, halting data collection critical for regulating pollution and protecting public health—though the decision was later reversed following internal pushback. Experts warn such disruptions undermine efforts to track harmful pollutants like ozone and particulate matter, which affect both ecosystems and human health.

The Kathmandu Post | Kathmandu’s air quality crisis—driven by vehicle emissions, construction dust, and forest fires—is costing Nepal up to $4 billion annually and cutting citizens’ life expectancy by years. A proposed shift toward treating clean air as a national economic and health priority includes forming a Clean Air Task Force, launching green transport bonds, and piloting emissions trading systems to combat what experts call Nepal’s “billion-dollar smog.”

The Guardian | The Miami Grand Prix has become a billion-dollar spectacle of celebrity and speed, but its placement in the predominantly Black, working-class community of Miami Gardens has raised lasting concerns about environmental justice and displacement. While lawsuits over noise and air pollution have failed to gain traction, critics argue the event reflects a broader pattern of pushing disruptive developments into communities with the least political power to resist.

BBC | Surrey has launched its first School Street scheme near Farnham Heath End School, restricting vehicle access on Bullers Road during peak hours to cut air pollution and improve safety. The initiative is part of a £3 million county-wide investment, with more schemes planned for other schools.

ScienceDirect.com | Researchers have developed innovative calixarene-based cryopolymers that can both detect and remove pollutants from air and water, addressing a major gap in current remediation technologies. These porous materials operate via dual absorption mechanisms and visibly detect airborne NO₂, offering a multifunctional platform for environmental cleanup.

EurekAlert! | A CMAJ study found that Ontario saw a significant spike—up to 24%—in asthma-related emergency visits following early June 2023 wildfire smoke, though a second episode later that month had no similar effect. Researchers suggest protective medications and behavioral adaptations may have helped, while experts urge Canada to adopt consistent strategies to reduce smoke exposure as wildfires grow more frequent and severe.