Something’s in the air: two Atlanta organizations to initiate air pollution monitoring in underserved communities – SaportaReport
Something's in the air: two Atlanta organizations to initiate air ... SaportaReport
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The Center for Sustainable Communities Receives Grant for Air Pollution Study
The Center for Sustainable Communities (CSC) has been awarded a grant of $498,401 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the study Monitoring Air Pollution in Underserved South Atlanta (MAP-USA).
Introduction
AQEarth has also announced an environmental justice tour in collaboration with local groups West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA) and Community Health Aligning Revitalization, Resilience, and Sustainability (CHARRS) to launch its AQEarth West Atlanta study on air quality and pollution.
Center for Sustainable Communities
Garry Harris, founder and CEO of CSC, expressed excitement about engaging with schools and communities living near highway systems that are exposed to pollutants on a daily basis. The study aims to monitor air pollution caused by transportation-related emissions and its harmful effects on underserved communities. The CSC will collaborate with Georgia Tech researchers to track particulate matter (PM) 2.5, which has been linked to various health issues. The study will primarily focus on PM 2.5 originating from fuel and transportation emissions near highways that were intentionally placed in poorer communities of color. The CSC’s mission is to use science to achieve a just outcome and create a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient world for all.
AQEarth West Atlanta
AQEarth, funded by a Phase II Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), is conducting a study on air quality in West Atlanta. The project has placed a monitor at a local fire station and is working with schools and community members to use handheld personal air monitors (PAMs) to measure air pollutants. The study has selected five key neighborhood planning units (NPUs) in Westside Atlanta for analysis. Similar to the CSC’s study, AQEarth aims to empower residents by providing information about their air quality, the sources of pollutants, and actionable steps to address the issue.
Environmental Justice Bus Tour and Workshop
The AQEarth study will commence on September 16 with an Environmental Justice (EJ) Bus Tour and Workshop. The event is designed for residents, local officials, universities, and business professionals to learn about the history of Westside Atlanta from an environmental perspective and understand the factors that have led to the current outcomes. The tour will shed light on environmental disasters, such as elevated levels of lead in the soil, which have resulted in certain areas of Westside Atlanta being designated as superfund sites. Both the CSC and AQEarth studies aim to improve the quality of life in neglected communities in Atlanta by addressing air pollution and enhancing environmental conditions.
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 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
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 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
- SDG 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 3.9: Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution.
- Indicator for SDG 11.6: Ambient air pollution levels in cities.
- Indicator for SDG 13.2: Integration of climate change measures in policies and planning.
- Indicator for SDG 16.7: Level of public participation in decision-making processes.
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. | Number of deaths and illnesses attributed 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. | Ambient air pollution levels in cities. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | Integration of climate change measures in policies and planning. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels. | Level of public participation in decision-making processes. |
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Source: saportareport.com
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