Climate change adversely impacts global health. Increasingly, the temperature variability, inclement weather, declining air quality, and growing food and clean water supply insecurities threaten human health. Earth’s temperature is projected to increase up to 6.4°C by the end of the 21 century, exacerbating the threat. The public and healthcare professionals, including pulmonologists, perceive the detrimental effects of climate change and air pollution; they support efforts to mitigate its effects. In fact, there is strong evidence of premature cardiopulmonary deaths associated with air pollution exposure via inhalation through the respiratory system, which functions as a portal of entry. However, little guidance is available for pulmonologists in recognizing the effects of climate change and air pollution on the diverse range of pulmonary disorders.
To competently educate and mitigate risk for patients, pulmonologists must be armed with evidence-based findings of the impact of climate change and air pollution on specific pulmonary diseases. Our goal is to provide pulmonologists with the background and tools to improve patients’ health and prevent adverse outcomes despite climate change-imposed threats.
In this review, we detail current evidence of climate change and air pollution impact on a diverse range of pulmonary disorders. Knowledge enables a proactive and individualized approach towards prevention strategies for patients rather than merely treating ailments reactively.

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