Poor air quality continues to be a global hazard, responsible for a broad array of acute and chronic adverse health effects. To make matters worse, in the last few years, emissions of pollutants from natural phenomena, such as wildfires, dust storms, and volcanic eruptions, have been on the increase and now may contribute as much as anthropogenic sources such as traffic, industry, energy generation, home heating, and cooking. In recent months, as well as facing up to these ongoing problems, we have had to also come to terms with the worldwide pandemic associated with COVID-19. Initially considered by most as a totally separate threat, it soon became apparent that these two challenges are entwined and closely linked.

Lockdown measures, introduced to limit the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, led to marked improvements in air quality in many urban locations, mostly through reduced traffic emissions. Asthma sufferers reported that their medication use fell markedly as a result of the cleaner air around them, while the general population experienced improved health benefits reaped from active travel through cycling, running, and walking. As the world begins to emerge from lockdown, the term green recovery is now often coined as citizens, towns and cities, and governments recognize the unexpected prospects for change that the pandemic has presented. AQAH enthusiastically supports such an aspiration, recognizing unparalleled opportunities to adjust the way we live and move around our environments.

On a separate note, it is with deep regret that we announce today that our second founding Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Yong S Chung, is stepping down. After establishing the journal in 2008 with Prof. Jonathan M Samet, Prof. Chung’s dedication to AQAH has very much been the foundation on which its success is built. During my short time working with Prof. Chung, I have been impressed by his professionalism and deep knowledge. In putting together this piece of writing and recognizing my limited exposure to Prof. Chung’s service, I reached out to one of our dedicated reviewers, Prof. Anne Steinemann, for comment. This is what she said: “Prof. Yong Chung is a peerless, selfless, and tireless Editor-in-Chief. With his prescient leadership, he created this Journal to meet a growing need, and with his wholehearted dedication, he advanced the Journal to international prominence. Prof. Chung has helped society through scholarship in ways that are innumerable, invaluable, and incomparable. I join the global community in deeply thanking him.”

Having replaced one Editor-in-Chief 12 months ago, we are aware of the importance of a successful transition going forward and we are pleased to announce today that following a successful search we have appointed Prof. Yong Pyo Kim as our new joint Editor-in-Chief. Prof. Kim, from the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, in Seoul brings broad expertise in the atmospheric sciences and is familiar with the journal having previously acted as an Associate Editor. I very much look forward to working with him.

The journal continues to show strong growth and last year we published over 1500 pages. Moreover, the high demand for space in the journal is highlighted by the fact that we could only publish 17 out of every 100 papers received. This is partly due to AQAH’s commitment to a rapid and quality review process that is both author-friendly and sensitive to reviewer commitments. To view the full list of our editorial board and section editors, check https://www.springer.com/journal/11869/editors.

We remain committed to publishing the best peer-reviewed, cutting-edge original research and related material in the multidisciplinary specialties of atmospheric sciences and health and staying true to our mission of advancing this important field for biodiversity and planetary and human health.