Emerald Keepers seeking hosts for air-quality monitors – Coronado Times

Report on the Coronado Air Quality Monitoring Initiative and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Since 2023, the organization Emerald Keepers has implemented a local air quality monitoring program in Coronado. This initiative directly supports the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by providing critical environmental data to the community.

2025 Air Quality Analysis: Implications for SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

Analysis of data from January through October 2025 reveals significant air quality concerns, underscoring the importance of this program for SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. Specifically, this work addresses Target 3.9: to substantially reduce illnesses from air pollution.

Key Findings on Unhealthy Air Quality Days

• Coronado Shores: 29% of days recorded as unhealthy.
• 1st Street: 20% of days recorded as unhealthy.
• Coronado Cays: 14% of days recorded as unhealthy.

The highest Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded in this period was 162 on October 30, a level considered unhealthy for the general population.

Program Expansion to Support SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

To create a more comprehensive understanding of air quality patterns and support SDG 11, Target 11.6 (reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality), Emerald Keepers is seeking to expand its monitoring network.

Identified Areas for Network Expansion

• The area between 10th Street and Ocean Avenue.
• The area between 2nd and 4th streets below Orange Avenue.

This expansion will provide hyper-local data, supplementing the regional information provided by the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District’s monitor in Sherman Heights and enabling more targeted community health advisories.

Operational Framework and Partnership Model (SDG 17)

The initiative’s success is built on a multi-stakeholder partnership model, a core principle of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). This collaboration between civil society, the community, and the private sector is essential for achieving sustainable outcomes.

Monitoring Technology and Data

The program utilizes PurpleAir monitors, which are part of a global network of over 22,000 sensors. This technology contributes to a worldwide citizen-science database, enhancing global environmental monitoring capabilities.

1. Device Specifications: The weatherproof sensor is a 3.5-by-3.5-by-5-inch unit requiring a continuous power source and Wi-Fi connection.
2. Pollutants Tracked: The sensors track major pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act, including particulate matter (PM), ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.
3. Data Accessibility: Real-time data is publicly available via an interactive, color-coded map on the PurpleAir website.

Call for Community Participation

To advance these sustainability goals, Emerald Keepers requests the participation of homeowners to host additional monitors. Generous donations have covered the cost of the devices.

• Requirements: A secure exterior location with access to a power outlet and Wi-Fi.
• Cost: There is no cost to the homeowner.
• Contact: Interested parties are encouraged to contact [email protected] to support this vital community health and sustainability program.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

The article addresses two primary Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The core focus of the article is on monitoring air quality and identifying “unhealthy air” days. Air pollution is a significant environmental health risk, and monitoring it is the first step toward mitigating its effects on the population’s health and well-being. The article’s mention of the Air Quality Index (AQI) peaking at an “unhealthy level for everyone” directly links the issue to public health concerns.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The initiative described is a community-based effort to improve the urban environment in Coronado. By installing hyper-local air quality monitors, the Emerald Keepers organization is working to make the city safer, more resilient, and sustainable. The project aims to gather specific data to understand and address an environmental problem within the city, which is a key aspect of sustainable urban development.

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

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
   • Explanation: The article details an effort to monitor major air pollutants, including particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. The analysis showing that certain areas experienced “unhealthy air” for up to 29% of days highlights a direct concern for illnesses related to air pollution. The monitoring program is a foundational step required to understand the scale of the problem and ultimately work towards reducing the health impacts of air pollution on Coronado’s residents.
2. Target 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.
   • Explanation: The entire initiative by Emerald Keepers is an example of “paying special attention to air quality.” The article emphasizes the need for “hyper-local data specific to areas of Coronado” to supplement the broader county-level monitoring. This focus on gathering detailed, city-specific environmental data is directly aligned with the goal of understanding and reducing the adverse environmental impact of the city on its inhabitants.

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

Yes, the article mentions and implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Air Quality Index (AQI): The article explicitly states that the monitors provide information on the “local Air Quality Index (AQI).” It provides specific data points, such as “Coronado’s air quality peaked at 162 AQI on Oct. 30 – an unhealthy level.” The AQI is a direct indicator of daily air quality and can be tracked over time to measure progress.
• Frequency of Unhealthy Air Days: The analysis of data is presented as a percentage of days with unhealthy air (e.g., “29% of days with unhealthy air at the Shores”). This metric serves as a clear indicator of the population’s exposure to harmful air quality and can be used to track improvements.
• Concentration of Specific Pollutants: The article states that the PurpleAir monitors “track and report five major air pollutants… ground-level ozone, particle pollution (also known as particulate matter), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.” The measurement of these pollutants, particularly particulate matter (PM), is a key technical indicator. The article specifies that the sensors “identify particulate matter between 0.3 microns and 10 microns in diameter,” which corresponds directly to the official SDG indicator 11.6.2 (Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: coronadotimes.com