A nine-year-old B.C.boy who died from asthma exacerbated by wildfire smoke is 害羞草研究所渢he face of the climate crisis in Canada right now,害羞草研究所� the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) said on Tuesday.

The group害羞草研究所檚 president, Dr. Melissa Lem, said Carter Vigh害羞草研究所檚 death underscores the urgent need to better protect vulnerable people from the effects of wildfires and other climate change-driven emergencies 害羞草研究所� as well as pick up the pace of tackling climate change itself.

害羞草研究所淲hat Carter害羞草研究所檚 story tells me is that we are woefully unprepared for the health impacts of climate change as a society and in the health-care system,害羞草研究所� Lem told The Canadian Press.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a moral imperative for governments to end our dependence on fossil fuels before more kids like Carter die,害羞草研究所� she said.

Burning fossil fuels leads to climate change, which in turn can trigger wildfires, as well as create other air pollution, Lem said.

Carter害羞草研究所檚 aunt, Anamaria Vigh, said on Facebook that the boy from 100 Mile House, B.C., died from asthma last week in hospital.

On Monday, the B.C. Coroner害羞草研究所檚 office posted a public safety bulletin confirming it is investigating Carter害羞草研究所檚 death.

害羞草研究所淭he sudden and unexpected death of this young boy is a heartbreaking loss for his family and community,害羞草研究所� the bulletin said.

害羞草研究所淎s the province experiences greater impacts from the effects of climate change, British Columbians are learning more about the risks associated with wildfire smoke, extreme heat and other environmental factors. This greater awareness can help us respond when risks are identified,害羞草研究所� it said.

Whenever wildfire smoke starts appearing, Lem 害羞草研究所� who is also a family doctor in Vancouver 害羞草研究所� sees a rise in patients suffering from asthma and sore throats.

More severe asthma attacks, as well as other respiratory diseases and heart problems, end up in the emergency department, she said.

The B.C. Coroner害羞草研究所檚 bulletin also said that smoke from wildfires is especially dangerous for children, older people and those with pre-existing heart and lung conditions.

There are some precautions that people can take to minimize their exposure to wildfire smoke, the bulletin said, including staying inside with windows closed and using 害羞草研究所渉igh-quality portable air cleaners with HEPA filtration to remove smoke particles from indoor air.害羞草研究所�

The coroner害羞草研究所檚 office also recommended keeping windows closed and air conditioning on in cars, as well as taking refuge in 害羞草研究所減laces with controlled air supply,害羞草研究所� including shopping malls or public libraries.

Lem said Carter害羞草研究所檚 death is 害羞草研究所渆very parent害羞草研究所檚 and every doctor害羞草研究所檚 worst nightmare.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淲e have to sprint as fast as we can to both adapt to the effects of climate change (by) protecting people from the effects of wildfire, smoke and heat,害羞草研究所� she said.

害羞草研究所淎t the same time, (we have to) sprint to mitigate climate change by reducing our use of and expansion of fossil fuels as quickly as we can.害羞草研究所�

READ ALSO:

READ ALSO: