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This will be the coolest summer in your lifetime.

Read that again.

If current climate trends continue, nearly every summer after this one is expected to be hotter. Extreme heat isn't just uncomfortable. It affects our health, air quality, infrastructure, energy systems, and the communities least able to adapt. We know that temperatures are changing. The question is how do we prepare and support the most vulnerable?

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Summer has just begun here in New York, and we've already received several ozone advisories. What does this mean and should you be concerned? In this episode, I want all of us to be informed on what ozone air pollution is and why it seems to show up every summer. 

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SOURCES:

Björnham, O., Grahn, H., von Schoenberg, P., Waleij, A., Liljedahl, B., & Brännström, N. (2017, November 7). The 2016 Al-Mishraq Sulphur Plant Fire: Source and Risk Area Estimation. arXiv.org. https://arxiv.org/abs/1611.03837

Brown, V. J. (2004, December). Battle Scars: Global Conflicts and Environmental Health. National Library of Medicine. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1253679/

Gayle, D. (2026, March 10). Bombing of Iran’s oil infrastructure to have major environmental fallout, experts warn. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/10/bombing-of-irans-oil-infrastructure-to-have-major-environmental-fallout-experts-warn

Lange, J. L., Schwartz, D. A., Doebbeling, B. N., Heller, J. M., & Thorne, P. S. (2002, November). Exposures to the Kuwait Oil Fires and Their Association with Asthma and Bronchitis Among Gulf War Veterans. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1241071/

Parmelee, Jennifer (1991, December 20). Environmentalists Survey the Blackened Wasteland That Was Kuwait. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/12/20/environmentalists-survey-the-blackened-wasteland-that-was-kuwait/fb14eaa2-af22-4392-9857-76db5b49c846

Reaser, Donald F (2024) Gulf War Oil Burning: Military History and Science. EBSCO Research. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/military-history-and-science/gulf-war-oil-burning

United Nations. (2003, March 21). Air Pollution From Baghdad Fires Poses Risks for Human Health and Environment. UN Meetings Coverage and Press Releases. United Nations. https://press.un.org/en/2003/ik339.doc.htm

US Department of Veterans Affairs, V. H. A. (2013, December 16). Oil Well Fires during Gulf War. https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/sources/oil-well-fires.asp

WHO Warns of Health Risks from “Black Rain” in Iran. Reuters. (2026, March 10). https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/society-equity/who-warns-health-risks-black-rain-iran-2026-03-10/

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Where were you the day the sky turned orange? If you were in New York City on the afternoon of June 7th, I’m sure you remember how strange and eerie that whole experience was. On this episode, we reflect on the June 2023 wildfire smoke event in New York City.

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THIS EPISODE CONTAINS SOME LIGHT CURSING

Do folks even care about the air we breathe? I think its pretty crucial, but judging from the optics of my surroundings, it sure doesn't seem like it's a big deal to anyone else.

In this bonus episode, I share my honest, frustrated thoughts. 

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So tiny you can't see it, particulate matter is the most harmful air pollutant on our planet. Much smaller than a grain of sand, and capable of causing short and long-term harm, particulate matter is usually the cause for most air quality advisories/warnings.

In this episode, we explore what particulate matter is, where it comes from, and what you can do to protect yourself from it.

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It’s easy to think about air as invisible and inconsequential, simply because its always there, but it’s anything but. Every single time you take a breath, you’re taking in much more than just oxygen—you’re inhaling a mix of particles, gases, and pollutants that can affect your health in ways you may not even realize.

So, what exactly is happening inside your body when the air quality dips? And how can you protect yourself from the health impacts of polluted air? Tune in to the latest episode to learn more.

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Welcome to episode 8! We’re diving into the basics of air purification, offering you practical, science-backed information on how to make the air you breathe cleaner, whether you’re on a tight budget or ready to invest in advanced solutions. I’ll be discussing air purifiers, DIY solutions, and things in between—because clean air should be accessible to everyone.

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Welcome to part two of the history of air pollution and air quality efforts. The history of air pollution is a history of our response to crisis. Although air quality laws have saved countless lives, air pollution levels in many cities still exceed safe limits. On a global level, over 90% of the population breathes polluted air on a daily basis, with Black, Brown, and poor folks being disproportionately affected.

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Imagine stepping out of a time machine into the middle of ancient Rome. What you'd immediately experience is air pollution. We think of air pollution as a modern problem, but it's been shaping human history for thousands of years. In this episode, we’re diving into the history of air pollution and air quality efforts, going far back enough to before we even had a word for it.

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