NEW YORK (AP) — Soon, residents in urban areas will leverage satellite technology and artificial intelligence to track harmful soot pollution in their neighborhoods, part of plans announced by former Vice President Al Gore and his nonprofit coalition, Climate TRACE.
The initiative expands upon previous efforts to monitor heat-trapping methane emissions, now focusing on tracking the source and plume of pollution from tiny particles—commonly known as soot—across 2,500 cities worldwide. Soot pollution is responsible for millions of deaths each year, including tens of thousands in the United States, as highlighted by numerous scientific studies.
Using a network of 300 satellites and 30,000 ground-tracking sensors, Climate TRACE aims to monitor over 137,000 sources of particle pollution. Among these, approximately 3,900 are identified as 'super emitters' for their high output of harmful particulates. While long-term pollution trends can currently be accessed, Gore anticipates that daily updates will be available in about a year, enabling integration with weather applications similar to allergy reports.
The technology doesn't merely display pollution levels; it also identifies the emitters, empowering communities with knowledge to advocate for cleaner air.
Gore emphasized the importance of this transparency, stating, It’s difficult, before AI, for people to see precisely where this conventional air pollution is coming from. By making this information accessible, individuals will be better informed about their surroundings and the sources of pollution affecting them. He mentioned recent analyses conducted in areas like Cancer Alley, Louisiana, where emissions are alarmingly high.
According to Climate TRACE's research, cities like Karachi and Guangzhou are among those most affected by soot pollution, further illustrating the global nature of the issue. This initiative is a pivotal step in the fight against air pollution, aiming to bring clarity and accountability to environmental health efforts worldwide.
