Commentary: Time to be more vigilant about poor air quality

Showing Up as a Good Community Organizer in the Face of Air Pollution

As Canadian wildfire smoke passes over Baltimore City again, I sit in deep contemplation about how to show up as a good community organizer. I run a program called Free Baltimore Yoga, and we host more than three free yoga classes a week. Many are outdoors. When the first wave of wildfire smoke passed over the city and the Air Quality Index soared to 150, Free Baltimore Yoga canceled all classes until the air quality was below 100.

The Importance of Air Quality Index (AQI)

The Air Quality Index is a scale created by the Environmental Protection Agency that is used to help people monitor the levels of ozone and particle pollution.

Prioritizing the Health of Sensitive Populations

Free Baltimore Yoga selected 100 AQI because any reading above that would be unhealthy for sensitive populations. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration defines a sensitive group as “people with lung disease such as asthma, older adults, children and teenagers, and people who are active outdoors.”

Free Baltimore Yoga aims to be more inclusive of this critical demographic. We made an intentional decision to cancel classes. More cancellations accompanied the subsequent waves of Canadian wildfire smoke.

Later, I was notified of an air quality alert not connected to the Canadian wildfire smoke. The combination of ozone and heat would send the AQI reading in parts of Baltimore above 100. I realized that not all parts of the city would reach above 100. Where I live and where we host a class in Remington would be fine. But areas such as Curtis Bay would surpass a 100 AQI reading.

This realization reminded me how some communities in Baltimore disproportionately bear the brunt of pollution and the resulting health effects. It had me truly pondering how we can think about community safety more collectively, in the absence of guidance from governmental agencies and public officials.

The Long-Term Effects of Air Pollution

While the EPA’s AQI scale speaks in terms of more immediate health effects — which could include irritation of the throat and eyes, difficulty breathing and headaches — the long-term harm from air pollution also must be considered. For example, numerous studies have shown that air pollution can:

• worsen and can even cause the development of asthma
• increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes
• cause lung cancer
• increase susceptibility to infections
• cause low birth weight and other developmental issues, and
• decrease lung growth in children.

Recent research has shown that elevated levels of PM2.5 (fine particulate) exposure can present a health risk equivalent to that of cigarette smoking.

The effects of poor air quality are not

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The article discusses the impact of poor air quality on health, particularly in vulnerable populations. It also highlights the unequal distribution of pollution and its health effects in certain communities. These issues are directly connected to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Additionally, the article mentions the need for community organizers and partnerships to address these issues, aligning with SDG 17.

The article also touches on the importance of informing and educating communities about air quality, which relates to SDG 11’s goal of creating sustainable cities and communities. Lastly, the article mentions climate change and its impact on air pollution, linking it to SDG 13’s focus on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
• SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
• SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• SDG 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

Based on the article’s content, the targets mentioned above are relevant. Target 3.9 focuses on reducing deaths and illnesses caused by air pollution, which aligns with the article’s discussion on the health effects of poor air quality. Target 11.6 emphasizes the importance of addressing air quality in cities, which is a key concern raised in the article. Target 13.1 highlights the need to build resilience to climate-related hazards, including air pollution resulting from climate change. Lastly, target 17.17 emphasizes the importance of partnerships in addressing these issues, which is mentioned in the article.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Air Quality Index (AQI)
• Number of deaths and illnesses related to air pollution
• Per capita environmental impact of cities
• Resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards
• Existence of effective partnerships

The article mentions the Air Quality Index (AQI) as a scale used to monitor levels of ozone and particle pollution. This can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards target 11.6, which focuses on air quality in cities. The number of deaths and illnesses related to air pollution can serve as an indicator for target 3.9.

The per capita environmental impact of cities can be measured through indicators such as air pollution levels, waste management practices, and energy consumption patterns. This can help track progress towards target 11.6.

The resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards can be measured through indicators such as the implementation of climate adaptation strategies, disaster preparedness plans, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. These indicators can be used to measure progress towards target 13.1.

Lastly, the existence of effective partnerships can be measured by assessing the number of collaborations between government agencies, civil society organizations, and private entities working towards addressing air pollution and its health effects. This can serve as an indicator for target 17.17.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Note: The table includes additional targets and indicators related to SDG 11 that were not mentioned in the article but are relevant to the broader goal of sustainable cities and communities.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: thebaltimorebanner.com

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