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News
The Importance of Open Data for Improving Air Quality
More data are needed to make informed decisions about the many social, economic, and environmental challenges we face, including the fact that 99% of the world’s population is breathing unhealthy air. As Clean Air Catalyst develops and advances solutions toward cleaner air in Indore, Jakarta and Nairobi, data plays a key role. The local teams in these cities synthesize existing data with new data, analyze the data and integrate the findings with other scientific evidence and qualitative information to create a more complete understanding of who is being impacted by air pollution.
The Clean Air Catalyst Approach to Air Quality Monitoring
Clean Air Catalyst (Catalyst) operates under the theory that when people understand how pollution impacts them and their loved ones and what sources of pollution are affecting the air they breathe, they will have greater motivation to demand clean air and greater expertise to create solutions. Expanding air quality monitoring and connecting it to the sources and impacts of air pollution is a key component of the Catalyst’s data-to-action approach for Indore, India, Jakarta, Indonesia and Nairobi, Kenya, as explained below:
How Indore Became #1 in India’s 2023 Swachh Vaayu Survey (Clean Air Survey)
After a 6-year unbeaten run as India's cleanest city in terms of urban sanitation, Indore has attained a noteworthy milestone by achieving success in another national cleanliness survey. In the Central Pollution Control Board's Swachh Vaayu Sarvekshan (Clean Air Survey) of 2023, among cities with a population of over one million, Indore has secured the first position.
Cutting-Edge Air Quality Stations in Indore Initiate Data Sharing for Cleaner Air
Indore, India received promising news this month regarding its high-precision air quality monitoring stations, which clocked their sixth month providing valuable data for research purposes. In a collaborative effort by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Clean Air Catalyst, and the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC), three advanced air quality monitoring stations were deployed in February last year.
Clean Air Catalyst Recognized by Indore District Administration during Independence Day Celebrations
On the occasion of India’s 77th Independence Day, the Indore district administration extended its appreciation to the Clean Air Catalyst project for its remarkable contribution towards enhancing the air quality of Indore.
इंदौर की वायु गुणवत्ता सुधारने में योगदान के लिए क्लीन एयर कैटलिस्ट सम्मानित
इंदौर: 77वें स्वतंत्रता दिवस के विशेष अवसर पर आयोजित एक भव्य समारोह के दौरान इंदौर जिला प्रशासन ने क्लीन एयर कैटलिस्ट प्रोजेक्ट को नगरीय क्षेत्र में वायु गुणवत्ता सुधार हेतु सराहनीय योगदान के लिए सम्मानित किया।
Clean Air Catalyst Partner Internews Leads Workshop, Trains 30 Journalists to Report on Air Pollution in Nairobi, Kenya
At the 2018 UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn, the World Health Organisation presented alarming new data revealing 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants and around 7 million people every year die from exposure to fine particles in polluted air. This threat has not abated, cities around the world remain at the frontlines of this interlinked health and climate crisis.
Nairobi City County Assembly Members Focus on the Links Between Clean Air and Climate in Two-Day Clean Air Catalyst Workshop
In April, 25 elected members of the Nairobi City County Assembly joined representatives from the Nairobi Air Quality Working Group (N-AIR), Nairobi City County Government and other stakeholders in a two-day workshop focused on better understanding the links between air quality and climate change.
Vital Strategies Leads Air Pollution and Healthcare Workshop for Nairobi’s Health Professionals
The Clean Air Catalyst, alongside partner Vital Strategies, held a workshop focused on the relationship between air pollution and health for public health officials from each sub-county in Nairobi on April 20 and 21.
Clean Air Catalyst Supports Indore Traffic Police to Combat Air Pollution
160 traffic police officers in Indore took part in an awareness training program on the health impacts of air pollution held May 4-7.
Indore Emphasizes Importance of Clean Air During Major Festivals
Indore sent out a strong clean air message to the country during Holika Dahan and Rangpanchami – two major festivals that see massive public participation.
Clean Air Catalyst Signs Agreement with Indore Municipal Corporation for Joint Research of Air Quality in Indore
Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Clean Air Catalyst, building upon recent progress to expand air quality monitoring and data in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
Clean Indore Making Strides for Clean Air
Indore is known as India's cleanest city-having secured the title seven years in a row in Swachh Bharat National Cleanliness Surveys. The commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh, also noted for its tradition of innovation, is now determined to clean its air. On February 15, the "Clean Air, Clean Indore" campaign was endorsed by the city’s mayor at the unveiling ceremony of three new air quality monitoring (AQM) stations set up by Clean Air Catalyst.
Putting Women at the Center of Clean Air Action
A key objective of the Clean Air Catalyst is to exchange knowledge, build trust and foster opportunities to elevate the voices of those most impacted by air pollution, particularly women and low-income communities.
Salute to ASHAs for their crucial role in “Clean Air, Clean Indore” Campaign
A group of ASHAs in Indore are advocating for “clean air, clean Indore” with the help of members of Mahila Arogya Samitis of their respective areas. After participating in a workshop organized by Vital Strategies on behalf of the US Agency for International Development (USAID)-supported programs Clean Air Catalyst and Cleaner Air and Better Health, ASHAs have started raising awareness about the causes and impacts of air pollution, as well as promoting preventive measures to reduce exposure to harmful pollutants.
U.S. Agency for International Development, Clean Air Catalyst, and Indore Municipal Corporation Launch New Air Quality Monitoring Stations
February 15, 2023 - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Clean Air Catalyst, and Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) unveiled three reference-grade air quality monitoring stations, which will provide highly accurate data on local sources of air pollution and help inform strategies to improve air quality in Indore.
EJN’s First Rumor Tracking Activity Counters Misinformation about Air Pollution in Indonesia and India
In 2021, Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN) conducted an Information Ecosystem Assessment as part of the Clean Air Catalyst project, which yielded several insights into how communities in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Indore, India, seek out information about air pollution, and the gaps and barriers they encounter in accessing it.
Air Quality Training for SGSITS Students and Faculty Builds Capacity for Clean Air Leaders in Indore
Last month, the Clean Air Catalyst and Shri GS Institute of Technology and Science (SGSITS) co-hosted a two-day air quality management workshop for 25 engineering students from across multiple Indore organizations. This workshop was the inaugural event as part of the Catalyst’s newly signed three-year memorandum of understanding with SGSITS for local clean air capacity-building and exchange of resources.
Clean Air Catalyst World Pneumonia Day 2022 Activities
Observed on November 12th, World Pneumonia Day was an opportunity for the Clean Air Catalyst to engage with the health community in Indore, Jakarta and Nairobi, on the connections between air pollution and respiratory disease.