EarthTalk®
From the Editors of E – The Environmental Magazine
Dear EarthTalk: Why is real-time or near-time tracking of pollution and other environmental markers important today and who is leading the charge? — Barry Jenkins, Erie, PA
Pollution tracking is a way of continuously monitoring the air quality of an environment. Though this technology has been used since the mid-20th century, it has become increasingly more reliable in recent years. Pollutants like carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and others are detected and monitored by a variety of technological systems, providing key insights for scientists, researchers and the public.
Pollution tracking serves many roles, including providing a means to detect an issue and trigger a quick response to a rise in pollutants. This helps implement protections before the pollutant levels become dangerous. Also, pollution tracking helps educate the general public about the impact of poor air quality.
Recently, there have been various advances in real-time technology, making it more accurate and reactive. These improvements are essential for a speedy and precise response to a rise in pollutants. “Regulators can pinpoint precise interventions, and cities can compete on measurable impacts, not vague promises,” says Ingmar Rentzhog, the founder and CEO of We Don’t Have Time, the largest global climate action media platform. “Investors, regulators, insurers, and policymakers now have regular insight into exactly who is polluting, how much, and where.”
In addition, experts are developing a wider variety of detection systems for different settings. For example, continuous emissions monitoring systems are used by industries subject to regulatory emissions standards. Another form of pollution monitoring is a geographic information system, which creates spatial data that can be used by environmentalists and policymakers. Indoor air quality monitoring systems are useful for businesses and individuals monitoring healthy enclosed environments.
There are many groups leading the charge toward faster, more reliable pollution detection. Climate TRACE is one group that is publishing reports accessed by large audiences. “Worldwide, we’re seeing the rapid rise in clean energy jobs overtake dirty energy jobs, and we’re seeing people all around the world continue to demand that we respect their future,” says Al Gore, one of Climate TRACE’s founders. Such tracking can have a profound impact on legislation, too. “This is a tool to show the threat to our own children…and politicians are going to have to yield to this technology,” says Jay Inslee, former governor of the State of Washington.
Readers interested in getting involved can stay updated by reading pollution tracking reports from Climate TRACE or other sources and take measures to reduce carbon emissions and air pollutant production.
CONTACTS: Climate TRACE, climatetrace.org;’ We Don’t Have Time, app.wedonthavetime.org.
EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk. See more at https://emagazine.com. To donate, visit https://earthtalk.org. Send questions to: question@earthtalk.org