AirGradient’s Next Step: Introducing the Clean Air Advocates Program

We are all aware of the significant challenges we face regarding air quality. For example, a staggering number of children worldwide breathe air that risks their health and well-being. This isn’t just an environmental concern; it’s a matter of public health and equity. However, within these challenges lies a powerful opportunity for people to contribute to solutions. The Clean Air Advocates program is designed to enable this collective action.

Vision

The Clean Air Advocates program offers a practical approach to empowering individuals of all ages to improve air quality and lower carbon emissions. Instead of just raising awareness, it provides the tools and knowledge needed to understand their local environment and take action. It’s about giving people the ability to monitor their air and then use that information to make a difference.

The program’s vision is to create a broad network of informed and engaged individuals equipped to understand and improve the air quality in their communities. It’s a comprehensive initiative focused on encouraging individuals to actively collect and share real-time air quality data from homes, schools, and neighborhoods. Furthermore, the program promotes actions that contribute to cleaner air and lower carbon emissions in daily life while fostering a community of advocates who can collaborate and amplify their impact.

The Clean Air Advocates Four Steps Process

The Clean Air Advocates program operates through a straightforward four-step process to create continuous positive change.

The first step in the process involves encouraging practical, climate-friendly behavior and data generation. This involves individuals using air quality monitors to understand their immediate surroundings. Activities include identifying potential pollution hotspots in their community and learning to operate monitoring devices accurately. Validating this data by comparing it with other sources helps develop analytical skills, while sharing knowledge through air quality workshops or local groups fosters leadership. Additionally, utilizing social media to share findings and raise awareness also becomes an important element. Participation in these activities help set the stage for the next steps of the process.

In the second step, the data gathered by Clean Air Advocates is validated through open-source validation and calibration methods, which ensures reliability. The aim is to use this data for localized air quality forecasts, providing actionable information and for developing systems to trigger health alerts based on real-time data. Importantly, this validated data is intended to be publicly available, contributing to a wider understanding of air pollution.

For the Clean Air Advocates program to grow sustainably, we are exploring different funding options – this is where the third step comes in. While core air quality data will be freely available, we are implementing impact subscriptions offering enhanced features to interested individuals and organizations. We also welcome donations from philanthropic organisations supporting the fight against air pollution and environmental health. Importantly, a major portion of the funds from impact subscriptions will also be used to support organizations that contribute valuable data, like OpenAQ. Collaboration with government agencies is another avenue to integrate air quality monitoring into existing efforts.

A key part of the program is recognizing the contributions of every participant. For the fourth and final step of the process, we aim to acknowledge the time and effort people invest in collecting data and promoting cleaner air. This could involve rewards like access to eco-friendly products, educational resources, or supporting local environmental projects. The goal is to encourage continued participation and build a strong community.

Help Us Implementing It!

The Clean Air Advocates program is a practical way for anyone to become involved in improving air quality. It provides the necessary tools and knowledge to understand their environment and take action. We are enthusiastic about the program’s potential and invite you to learn more about becoming a Clean Air Advocate in your community.

As outlined in our manifesto, community building has always been a core pillar of our principles and values. Through being transparent, focusing on impact, and creating accessible and sustainable products, we believe we’ve already fostered a great air quality community, and we want to thank you for being a part of this. With this in mind, we want to call for your help to continue making an impact. Let’s work together to create a healthier future.

Stay tuned as we plan to launch this program in the coming weeks!