NASA-led mission to map air pollution in 3D over megacities
NASA-led mission to map air pollution in 3D over megacities EurekAlert
sdgtalks
This summer, NASA and Partners Deploy New Tools to Monitor Air Quality
As wildfire smoke covers large areas of North America and summer haze reaches its peak, NASA and its partners are utilizing new tools to observe air quality and pollution. These efforts align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, and Goal 13: Climate Action.
TEMPO Satellite Measures Air Quality Hourly
The TEMPO (Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution) satellite, launched earlier this year, is the first instrument that will measure air quality over North America hourly and at a high resolution. It covers a wide area from Mexico City to central Canada and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. TEMPO will monitor key pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), fine particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, methane, and carbon dioxide.
AEROMMA Field Campaign Complements TEMPO Measurements
NOAA is leading the AEROMMA field campaign to study air pollution this summer. With collaborators from over 20 universities, regional consortiums, state and local governments, as well as other federal agencies, scientists are working together to build a coast-to-coast air quality community. This collaboration aims to strengthen efforts in monitoring air quality and achieving SDG Goal 3.
STAQS Mission Examines Air Quality in North American Cities
The STAQS (Synergistic TEMPO Air Quality Science) mission, scheduled for summer 2023, will complement the TEMPO satellite measurements with ground-based air quality observations. This mission will focus on population centers such as New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Toronto. The goal is to map air pollutants from the ground to the upper troposphere, track their sources and changes over time, and identify areas disproportionately exposed to unhealthy air. The STAQS mission contributes to SDG Goal 3 by providing valuable data for public health and addressing air pollution concerns.
Improved Air Quality, but Localized Challenges Remain
Air quality has significantly improved in recent decades due to regulations that have reduced harmful emissions. However, localized air quality issues have emerged as a challenge. For example, in Chicago, the STAQS team will monitor ozone pooling along the Lake Michigan shoreline and high levels of truck exhaust impacting nearby neighborhoods. These discrepancies in air quality can have adverse effects on the health of communities, particularly individuals with respiratory conditions. Monitoring and addressing these localized challenges align with SDG Goal 3.
Precision Monitoring with Research Aircraft and Ground-based Sensors
The STAQS team is deploying research aircraft equipped with remote sensors to enable precise monitoring of air quality. These sensors serve as proxies for the TEMPO instrument in space. The research aircraft will fly over target cities multiple times per day, mapping pollutants and studying the influence of factors such as traffic patterns and weather on air quality. Ground-support teams will also utilize state-of-the-art sensors to track air pollution. This comprehensive approach provides a 3-D perspective of air pollution movement and helps understand its impact on different layers of the atmosphere.
Collaboration and Data Sharing for Effective Air Quality Management
The STAQS mission collaborates with existing remote-sensing instruments like TOLNet and Pandora, which provide observational anchor points for the mission. Additionally, national and local air quality agencies operate trace-gas analyzing equipment in the areas where STAQS instruments are deployed. The combination of measurement efforts and data sharing allows scientists to compare and augment observations. The ultimate beneficiaries of STAQS findings and TEMPO data are the state and local air quality agencies, who can utilize the information to address public health concerns and develop effective air pollution management strategies.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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 15: Life on Land
The article discusses the monitoring of air quality and pollution, which directly relates to the health and well-being of individuals (SDG 3). It also mentions the study of air pollution in specific population centers, highlighting the importance of sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11). Additionally, the article mentions the measurement of greenhouse gases and the impact of air pollutants on climate change, aligning with SDG 13. Lastly, the monitoring of pollutants in the atmosphere relates to the preservation of life on land (SDG 15).
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- 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.
- Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
- Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
The targets identified are directly related to the issues discussed in the article. Target 3.9 focuses on reducing deaths and illnesses caused by air pollution and hazardous chemicals. Target 11.6 emphasizes the need to address air quality in cities and reduce the environmental impact of urban areas. Target 13.1 highlights the importance of building resilience to climate-related hazards, which includes monitoring greenhouse gases and pollutants that contribute to climate change. Target 15.1 emphasizes the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, which includes monitoring air quality and pollution that can impact land ecosystems.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator: Measurement of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), fine particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, methane, and carbon dioxide.
- Indicator: Mapping air pollutants from the ground to the upper troposphere.
- Indicator: Tracking air pollution hour by hour and mile by mile.
- Indicator: Monitoring traffic patterns, weather conditions, and their influence on air quality.
- Indicator: Identifying neighborhoods disproportionately exposed to unhealthy air.
The article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include the measurement of specific pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, fine particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, methane, and carbon dioxide. The mapping of air pollutants from the ground to the upper troposphere is another indicator mentioned. Additionally, tracking air pollution hour by hour and mile by mile, monitoring traffic patterns and weather conditions, and identifying neighborhoods disproportionately exposed to unhealthy air are all indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the targets.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | – Measurement of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), fine particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, methane, and carbon dioxide. – Identifying neighborhoods disproportionately exposed to unhealthy air. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 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. | – Measurement of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), fine particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, methane, and carbon dioxide. – Tracking air pollution hour by hour and mile by mile. – Monitoring traffic patterns, weather conditions, and their influence on air quality. – Identifying neighborhoods disproportionately exposed to unhealthy air. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | – Measurement of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), fine particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, methane, and carbon dioxide. – Mapping air pollutants from the ground to the upper troposphere. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services. | – Measurement of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), fine particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, methane, and carbon dioxide. – Mapping air pollutants from the ground to the upper troposphere. – Identifying neighborhoods disproportionately exposed to unhealthy air. |
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: eurekalert.org
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
