This study explores the interrelationships among climate variability, land-use change, and air pollution across the ultra-arid, arid, and semi-arid zones of Markazi Province, Iran. Using satellite-derived environmental indicators analyzed via Google Earth Engine (GEE), the research examines changes over the years 2001, 2012, and 2022. The results indicate a significant rise in Land Surface Temperature (LST) over the two-decade period by 2.8 ◦C in ultra-arid, 2.1 ◦C in arid, and 1.6 ◦C in semi-arid areas accompanied by a 15–23 % decrease in precipitation and a 9–14 % increase in potential evaporation. Vegetation health, as measured by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), declined by 18 % in ultra-arid and 12 % in arid regions, signaling escalating ecological stress. Urban expansion was especially prominent in arid areas, with a 38 % increase in built-up land, contributing to a 31 % rise in PM2.5 concentrations and raising serious concerns regarding air quality and public health. Changes in cropland areas were uneven, with a 9 % reduction in ultra-arid regions and a 6 % increase in semi-arid zones, reflecting evolving land-use practices. These findings underscore the urgent need for integrated strategies that link land-use planning and air quality management, emphasizing climate-resilient water governance, sustainable urban development, and strengthened pollution control to mitigate environmental degradation and enhance regional resilience.
