NewsCenter | SDSU | SDSU and SDSU Imperial Valley to Produce Tool to Improve Region’s Air Quality
SDSU and SDSU Imperial Valley to Produce Tool to Improve ... SDSU Newscenter
sdgtalks
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Air Pollution Emission Estimates
SDSU faculty received a grant from California Air Resource Board (CARB) to improve air pollution emission estimates from biomass burning activities.
Introduction
Research shows the air quality in both San Diego and Imperial Counties is adversely impacted by pollutants caused by controlled and uncontrolled fires in Baja California. As a result, a team of San Diego State University and SDSU Imperial Valley researchers are working to understand health risks and improve air quality from biomass burning in the California-Mexico border regions.
Research Initiative
The interdisciplinary research initiative will be led by Atsushi Nara, SDSU associate professor of geography, Miguel Zavala, and Linda Lara-Jacobo, both SDSU Imperial Valley associate professors of environmental health, who will also work closely with two graduate students.
- Objective: To create a tool that detects air pollution emissions
- Approach: Conduct fieldwork research and gather samples from nearby fires
- Timeline: Research to be conducted during summer to early fall time
Grant Funding
The work is part of a new two-year, $235,000 grant from the California Air Resource Board (CARB) entitled, “Improving Mexico Biomass Burning Estimates.”
Technical Tool Development
During the second year of the project, the team will develop a technical tool to calculate fuel consumption and emissions, which will include real-time satellite imagery from Mexico and California.
Environmental Impact
“We understand that some of the agriculture practices include burning to prepare the crop for its next harvest season,” said Zavala. “Yet, there are often climate-related burning activities that continue to increase throughout the years. We hope to create an environmentally efficient tool and resources that will help local communities understand the impact air quality emissions have on the region.”
Binational Collaboration
According to the researchers, engaging with the local community members will be key to understanding the health risks of transboundary flow from Mexico. Biomass burning activities may vary from agricultural, wildfires and controlled fires, which affect urban and rural communities in the Mexican region.
- Collaboration: Experts from the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California (UABC) will collaborate with SDSU faculty
- Engagement: Connect with community stakeholders, governmental and bi-national partners to create a community engagement plan
Future Plans
The new initiative comes as SDSU Imperial Valley plans to launch a Bachelor of Science in public health in fall 2024 to bolster the number of local public health professionals within the region. The university will also open a new STEM facility at its Brawley site in fall 2025 to expand STEM-related degrees, career pathways, and research initiatives.
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 adverse impact of air pollution from biomass burning activities on air quality and health in the California-Mexico border regions. This connects to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. It also relates to SDG 11, which focuses on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Additionally, the article mentions the need to understand the impact of biomass burnings on the ecosystem, indicating a connection to SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. Finally, the article highlights the climate-related burning activities, aligning with SDG 13’s goal of 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 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
- SDG 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
The targets identified are based on the issues discussed in the article. SDG 3.9 focuses on reducing deaths and illnesses from air pollution, which is relevant to the adverse health impacts of biomass burning. SDG 11.6 emphasizes the need to address air quality in cities, aligning with the efforts to improve air quality in the California-Mexico border regions. SDG 13.3 highlights the importance of education and awareness on climate change, which is relevant to understanding the impact of biomass burning activities. Lastly, SDG 15.2 aims to promote sustainable management of forests, which relates to the need to address the impact of biomass burning on terrestrial ecosystems.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Air pollution levels (particulate matter, hazardous chemicals) in San Diego and Imperial Counties
- Reduction in deaths and illnesses related to air pollution
- Per capita environmental impact of cities (specifically related to air quality)
- Increased education and awareness on climate change mitigation and adaptation
- Forest cover and deforestation rates in the California-Mexico border regions
The article mentions the need to improve air quality from biomass burning activities, indicating that air pollution levels can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards reducing deaths and illnesses related to air pollution (SDG 3.9). The focus on air quality in the California-Mexico border regions suggests that monitoring and reducing the per capita environmental impact of cities, specifically related to air quality, can be an indicator for SDG 11.6. The emphasis on education and awareness on climate change and its impacts implies that increased education and awareness can be used as an indicator for SDG 13.3. Finally, the article highlights the need to understand the impact of biomass burning on forests, indicating that forest cover and deforestation rates can be indicators for SDG 15.2.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | – Air pollution levels (particulate matter, hazardous chemicals) in San Diego and Imperial Counties – Reduction in deaths and illnesses related to air pollution |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 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. | – Per capita environmental impact of cities (specifically related to air quality) |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning. | – Increased education and awareness on climate change mitigation and adaptation |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally. | – Forest cover and deforestation rates in the California-Mexico border regions |
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: newscenter.sdsu.edu
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.
