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VANCOUVER — Canada’s air quality has improved significantly over the past five decades, with levels of key pollutants now among the lowest in the world, according to a new report released ahead of Earth Day.
The study, published by the Fraser Institute, found concentrations of major air pollutants have declined sharply since the 1970s and remain below national health guideline levels.
“On Earth Day, Canadians should celebrate that our air quality continues to improve, and is among the cleanest air in the world,” said Elmira Aliakbari, director of natural resource studies at the Fraser Institute and co-author of the report.
The report examined trends in pollutants including ground-level ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide between 1970 and 2023.
It found ground-level ozone concentrations in 2023 were nearly 27 per cent lower than in the 1970s and have remained below national guidelines since 2008.
Sulphur dioxide levels were down 94 per cent over the same period and have stayed below guideline levels since 2001, while nitrogen dioxide concentrations dropped 80 per cent and have remained below recommended levels since 2004.
Carbon monoxide levels declined by 88 per cent and have remained below global health guideline levels since the early 1980s.
The report attributes the improvements to long-term reductions in emissions following decades of industrial growth.
“Canadians should be proud of their environmental record, as air pollution that accompanied more than 100 years of industrialization has been reduced to extremely low levels,” Aliakbari said.
The findings come as countries around the world mark Earth Day with a focus on environmental progress and ongoing challenges.
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