[Spotlight] Open Data for Climate Action
Harnessing tools and data to address our climate emergency
By Magd Sora, ODC Volunteer
World Health Organization (WHO) data shows that almost all of the world’s population (99%) is breathing air that contains higher levels of pollutants than the WHO’s own guideline limits, with low- and middle-income being disproportionately affected by the highest levels of exposures. Air pollution is responsible for 1 out of every 8 deaths globally and is closely linked to the deteriorating state of our ecosystem today. With around 2.4 billion people being exposed to dangerous levels of pollution, bad air quality can reduce the average lifespan by 2.2 years, and up to 10 years in the world’s most polluted areas. Therefore, action to reduce pollution can limit the burden of diseases linked to air pollution, as well as contribute to the much needed long-term mitigation of climate change.
In our meeting, Open Data Charter (ODC) explored how the open data community can contribute to new and innovative approaches to achieve climate neutral cities. Accordingly, in the final rendition of the Implementation Working Group series for 2022, ODC was thrilled to host the following distinguished panel:
- Namrata Mehta: Namrata Mehta is an Urban Innovation Specialist at UN Habitat where she leads the open innovation programme, “Climate Smart Cities Challenge”. She has a depth of experience helping organizations adopt a design-led approach to developing solutions in and for emerging economy contexts. Namrata studied Sociology at the University of Delhi and Experimental Media Arts at the Srishti School of Art, Design & Technology in India, when her relationship with data began. She has been a volunteer with DataMeet, India, helping organize their annual Open Data Camps, and also a founding member and organizer of Delhi Makers. Namrata comes to the UN with experience in philanthropy, the tech industry and government. Originally from India, Namrata is currently based in Gaborone, Botswana.
In her presentation, Namrata presents the ‘Climate Smart Cities Challenge’ where four cities (Bogotá, Bristol, Curitiba, and Makindye Ssabagabo) were selected for varying climate related issues they are facing and following an extensive processes of assessments and evaluations, four different climate smart solutions were devised and are being implemented. Namrata identifies some of the gaps in their projects where the Open Data community can play a crucial role in the implementation of new solutions to achieve climate neutral cities.
- Chris Hagerbaumer joined OpenAQ as executive director March 2022. She provides strategic leadership, runs operations, manages OpenAQ’s team, and cultivates collaborative relationships in pursuit of a core human right: the right to breathe clean air. Chris came to OpenAQ with 26 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. At the Oregon Environmental Council, she led the organization’s air quality, climate, and transportation work, then served as Deputy Director. Chris learned the value of open data in a special projects role with MobilityData, a nonprofit that works internationally to ensure data quality and consistency related to transportation options. Chris served as a U.S. Peace Corp Volunteer in the Republic of Palau. She earned her master’s in Public Policy from the University of Chicago and her bachelor’s in German Literature from Reed College.
In her presentation, Chris highlights OpenAQ’s role in aggregating and harmonizing available data in a one-stop open-source database. While data availability varies greatly, with much more open data coming from the more affluent parts of the world, OpenAQ’s offers both real-time and historical data and presents their findings in ways that are not only for professionals who are accustomed to working with air pollution data, but also in ways which can be utilized by community members, journalists, as well as concerned citizens.
The meeting ended with discussions about what 2023 could look like for the Implementation Working Group.
If you would like to be a part of our Implementation Working Group, please don’t hesitate to get in touch: info@opendatacharter.org.
