Report on Air Quality Monitoring and Sustainable Development in Madison

1.0 Introduction: Project Continuation and Sustainable Development Goals

The City of Madison’s Sustainable Madison Committee is addressing the future of its ambient air quality monitoring system as federal funding is set to expire. This initiative is critical for advancing several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the face of increasing climate-related challenges such as wildfires. The city is now seeking local funding to sustain the program, ensuring continued progress towards a healthy, equitable, and sustainable urban environment.

2.0 Air Quality, Public Health, and Sustainable Cities (SDG 3 & SDG 11)

The air quality monitoring project directly supports the objectives of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by providing essential data on airborne pollutants.

• Health Impacts (SDG 3): Poor air quality, exacerbated by wildfire smoke containing particulate matter, poses significant risks to human health. It particularly affects vulnerable populations, including children, older adults, and individuals with chronic respiratory and heart conditions. Monitoring air quality is a key component of Target 3.9, which aims to reduce illnesses and deaths from air pollution.
• Sustainable Urban Environments (SDG 11): The project aligns with Target 11.6 to reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities by focusing on air quality. The strategic placement of 65 monitors near schools, community centers, and residential areas provides granular data to create a healthier and more sustainable city for all residents.

3.0 Climate Change, Environmental Equity, and Resilience (SDG 13 & SDG 10)

The increasing frequency and intensity of national and Canadian wildfires highlight the urgent need for climate action and adaptation, directly linking the project to SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

1. Climate Action and Adaptation (SDG 13): Worsening air quality due to wildfire smoke is a direct consequence of climate change. The city’s monitoring program serves as a vital tool for climate adaptation (Target 13.1) by providing early warnings and data that inform public health advisories and resilience strategies.
2. Reducing Inequalities (SDG 10): Research indicates that communities of color are disproportionately exposed to air pollution. By collecting localized data, the city can identify and address environmental injustices, contributing to Target 10.3 to ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome. This data can inform policies aimed at mitigating pollution in overburdened neighborhoods.

4.0 Project Status, Partnerships, and Future Funding (SDG 17)

The continuation of the monitoring program depends on securing new funding and leveraging multi-stakeholder collaborations, reflecting the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

4.1 Program Details

• Initial Funding: The project was launched with a three-year, $430,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
• Current Status: 65 monitors were installed citywide, though data collection was temporarily disrupted. Initial analysis has not yet identified persistent “hot spots” of poor air quality.
• Funding Request: The city’s sustainability program is requesting approximately $212,000 in the next budget to fund a full-time coordinator and the software required to operate the monitors and publish data publicly.

4.2 Strategic Partnerships (SDG 17)

The project exemplifies effective partnerships (Target 17.17) through collaboration with various entities:

• Governmental: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for joint operation of regulatory-grade monitors.
• Academic: University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies for data analysis.
• Community: Organizations such as the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness, Latino Health Council of Dane County, and The Hmong Institute for community education and needs assessment.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • The article directly connects air pollution to public health. It states that when wildfires burn, “the soot and ash pollute the air, making it hazardous to live and breathe.” It also highlights the increased impact on “people who are vulnerable to respiratory and heart challenges, such as children, older adults or people with chronic health conditions like asthma.”

2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • The article addresses environmental justice by pointing out that “people of color breathe more polluted air across income levels and regions of the United States.” It also mentions that the city is partnering with groups like the “Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness, Latino Health Council of Dane County, The Hmong Institute” to understand and address community needs, indicating an effort to reduce health inequalities.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • The entire article focuses on the city of Madison’s efforts to manage a critical urban environmental issue. The “Sustainable Madison Committee” is working to monitor air quality, and the city’s program aims to “enhance the quality of the environment, and ensure the well-being of all residents,” which is central to creating sustainable communities.

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • The article explicitly links the air quality problem to climate change, noting the “new national wildfire record” and “increasing wildfires raging across the United States and Canada.” The city’s program aims to “reduce climate pollution, prepare for and mitigate the impacts of climate change,” directly aligning with climate action goals.

5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The article highlights multiple collaborations. This includes the city of Madison receiving a federal grant from the “U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,” jointly operating monitors with the “state Department of Natural Resources,” partnering with “researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Nelson Institute,” and engaging with various community health organizations.

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

1. Target 3.9: Substantially reduce deaths and illnesses from pollution

   • The article’s focus on monitoring and raising awareness about hazardous air quality from particulate matter directly relates to reducing illnesses from air pollution. The recommendation to “avoid the inhalation of particulate matter by reducing time outside, wearing tight-fitting N95 or KN95 masks” is a direct measure to protect health.

2. Target 11.6: Reduce the environmental impact of cities

   • The city of Madison’s initiative to implement an “ambient air quality monitoring system” is a clear action to pay “special attention to air quality,” as specified in this target. The goal is to understand and ultimately manage the city’s air pollution.

3. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards

   • The increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires are identified as a climate-related hazard. The city’s efforts to track air quality and “ensure people know how to navigate poor air quality” are measures to strengthen resilience and help the community adapt to these events.

4. Target 13.3: Improve education and awareness on climate change

   • The city’s plan includes the “rollout of a user-friendly, digital network of air quality monitoring systems for Madison residents to engage with.” This, along with partnerships with community groups to “educate and learn about residents’ air quality and climate needs,” directly contributes to improving education and awareness.

5. Target 17.17: Encourage effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships

   • The article provides a clear example of this target in action. The city of Madison (public) is partnering with the EPA (public), the state DNR (public), UW-Madison (public/academic), and various community health councils (civil society) to tackle the air quality issue.

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

1. Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (Indicator 11.6.2)

   • The article is centered on measuring air pollutants, specifically “microscopic particulate matter like mold, pollen, dust, smog or smoke.” The state’s regulatory monitors check for particulate matter, and the analysis of a proposed gas plant in Beloit projected that “particulate matter levels would likely exceed national standards.” This data is a direct indicator of air quality.

2. Number of climate-related hazards and disasters

   • The article provides data on the increasing number of wildfires, a climate-related hazard. It cites the National Interagency Fire Center, which “recorded more than 44,000 wildfires across the country this year — the most wildfires logged by the agency since 2015.” This serves as an indicator of the growing climate threat.

3. Financial resources for sustainable development

   • The article quantifies the financial resources involved. It mentions the “$430,000 three-year grant” from the EPA and the city’s budget request for “$212,000” to continue the program. These figures are indicators of the financial commitment to sustainability initiatives.

4. Availability of public information on air quality

   • The city’s goal to create a “user-friendly, digital network of air quality monitoring systems” and upload data to the “Love My Air platform” is an indicator of progress in making environmental information accessible to the public. The article also notes that “Information about daily air quality is available online.”

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: captimes.com