University of Lagos in collaboration with Lagos Metropolitan Area Transportion Authority, LAMATA held a webinar on air quality and climate, to provide open and universal access to global air quality data.
This event which is funded by <span;>African Engineering Technology Network, AFRETEC was moderated by John Walter, and held on May 31 at the LAMATA conference hall, LAMATA place in Lagos, had a discussion on sustainable transportation and reducing emissions in Lagos.
LAMATA MD, Engr. Abimbola Akinajo at the event, said that the organisation has right to implement transportation in Lagos and applauded AFRETEC for the project they are doing. “I hope that it will not be a on off, but build the relationship for everyone with this initiative.
“Air quality, the world speaks about the global North but its the Souths that need to start caring for thiers.
“We have the room to make positive impact in our environment and we urge the public to help in achieving it, because LAMATA only can’t do it, she said.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Rose Alani, an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Lagos and leader of the Air Quality Monitoring Group said that the problem caused by air pollution is much more severe and urgent in the Global South, where growth of megacities and use of dirtier fuels and technologies is prevalent. “The health burden from air pollution represents a grand scientific challenge that will require significant international cooperation.
“There is a severe lack of air pollution data around the world, with the global mean population distance of a person to a pollutant monitor is about 220 km.
“Low-cost sensors, LCS for quantifying air pollution and identifying sources are being explored as a possible path forward in remedying the lack of data on the air pollution burden, though significant knowledge gaps and caveats remain regarding the accurate application of such devices.
“The monitor density is very high in the US and parts of Europe (3 per million people), opposed to only a limited ground monitors in Africa (0.03 per million people).
“We propose an international collaboration to develop, test, and deploy air pollutant sensors in Africa,” she said.
According to her, achieving this is by building and deploying LCS in the Global South is a key step to uniting scientists, decision-makers, and local stakeholders in developing new methods and best practices for continuously monitoring, sharing, and developing solutions for the global air pollution health crisis.
She, however explained that there a three sectors response for building, testing and deploying these equipment.
“The American University in Cairo has extensive expertise in sensor development, nanophotonics, and lab-on-a-chip applications, but less experience in converting lab-scale advances to sensors that are networked and usable in real environments.
“Carnegie Mellon University has significant experience in the testing, calibration, and deployment of low-cost air pollutant sensor networks, but often lacks local knowledge needed to deploy sensors in a thoughtful manner and local contacts needed to use data to influence decision makers.
“The University of Lagos is well knowledgeable in local sensor deployment, linking the local contacts needed to use data to influence decision makers, and also has expertise in air pollutant sources and health impacts,” Dr. Alani said.
Guest speaker, Collen Rosales (Strategic partnership Director, OpenAQ) non profitable organisation, USA, said that they harmonises air quality data from desperate sources. “We are the world’s largest open source air quality data aggregated and harmonizer, and we reference sensors and air monitors.
Davies Rene Segera, fro.University of Nairobi, while speaking about harnessing large language models for enhanced air quality and climate data, said that accessibility and analysing the air quality is important.
Titilope Akosa, Executive Director, Centre for 21st Century Issues said that we all ask the linkage between air quality and planet change.
“Carbon is the thing that drives climate change from carbon emissions like vehicle, generators and more.
“Poor air quality causes many diseases in our environment. People are looking for cleaner energy, even from fossil fuel that we use always.
“Why we are doing recycling, not every waste can be recycled,” she said.
Closing remarks was held by the GM, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, Dr Tunde Ajayi, represented by Ayodele Oso, director air quality and emission control, said that they would be glad to collaborate with all schools to fight against poor air quality.
The seminar concluded with words of encouragement by Bimbo Esther Osobe, President of Nigeria Slum/Informal Settlement Federation.
By Benprince Ezeh
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