Poor air quality shortens many people’s lives every year, yet regions worldwide still lack the data and infrastructure to tackle this effectively. When I attended the Google Global Air Quality Summit, one of the event’s main themes was the importance of collaboration across sectors–from technology and policy to research and community-driven efforts. This is where I first heard and learned about Dr. Christa Hasenkopf’s work, which was truly inspiring. After attending the summit, I wanted to dig deeper into this question:
- How can we bridge current gaps in climate change mitigation efforts and drive meaningful change?
To explore this question, I had the opportunity to connect one-on-one with Dr. Christa Hasenkopf, an atmospheric scientist and leading advocate for open-air quality data. As the Director of the Clean Air Program at the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) and the co-founder of OpenAQ, she has spent her career making air pollution data more accessible and actionable. Dr. Hasenkopf shared her insights on the power of data, cross-sector collaboration, and the future of air quality policy. This blog delves into what I learned from her expertise and why air quality should be a global priority.
Strength of Cross-Sector Collaboration
Tackling air pollution requires more than technological advancements or policy changes–it demands a collaborative approach that brings together the sectors in technology, policy, and community action. Dr. Hasenkopf emphasized that no single sector can solve the air quality crisis alone. While technology provides us with better monitoring tools and data platforms, policymakers must translate that data into effective regulations and interventions. At the same time, community engagement is critical in sustaining long-term efforts by ensuring data is used to push for meaningful action.
Recognizing this, Dr. Hasenkopf launched the EPIC Air Quality Fund, an initiative designed to bridge global data gaps and link technology, policy, and action. The fund aims to improve air quality for one billion people across 50 countries by 2030, supporting organizations that go beyond just measuring pollution and actively use data to drive policy reform. By investing in local efforts, the fund ensures that air quality monitoring isn’t just a passive process but a tool for impact. This cross-section approach highlights the need for collaboration at every level–from scientists and engineers developing better sensors to governments implementing policy changes and communities advocating for cleaner air.
The Data Gap: A Main Challenge in Global Air Quality Monitoring
Despite air pollution being one of the most significant global health threats, vast regions still lack the necessary air quality monitoring infrastructure. As Dr. Hasenkopf pointed out, many countries–especially in Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia–have little to no publicly available air quality data. Without this critical information, policymakers struggle to create effective regulations, and there is a lack of awareness of daily health risks.
Air quality data serves as the foundation for change. When pollution levels are measured and shared transparently, they create evidence to drive policy decisions and empower communities to demand cleaner air. However, establishing and maintaining air monitoring networks comes with challenges. Financial limitations often prevent governments from investing in the necessary technology, and in some cases, political barriers restrict public access to pollution data. Additionally, maintaining long-term monitoring requires expertise, infrastructure, and sustained funding: resources that many regions simply don’t have.
Dr. Hasenkopf also highlighted that there is often a lack of official air pollution standards or even clean air action plans in places without air quality data. Without measurements, there’s no accountability; without accountability, there is no progress. That is why initiatives such as OpenAQ and the EPIC Air Quality Fund are working to bridge this gap. OpenAQ, co-founded by Dr. Hasenkopf, aggregates real-time air quality data worldwide, making it freely available to researchers, policymakers, and the public. Similarly, the EPIC Air Quality Fund goes beyond just collecting data, as it funds organizations that use this information to push for change and local action.
More about Dr. Hasenkopf’s Work
Dr. Hasenkopf’s journey into atmospheric science began with her passion for understanding and addressing environmental challenges. She worked on air pollution issues in Mongolia, where she helped set up one of the first publicly available air quality monitoring efforts in Ulaanbaatar. This experience led her to co-found OpenAQ, a groundbreaking initiative that aggregates and freely shares air quality data worldwide.
At EPIC, she continues to bridge the gap between science and policy by leading the Clean Air Program. One of the major initiatives Dr. Hasenkopf talked about was the Air Quality Life Index, a platform that translates air pollution levels into their impact on life expectancy. Her work is inspiring, highlighting the importance of collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and communities in tackling global air pollution.
The Future of Air Quality Monitoring and Policy
Looking ahead, Dr. Hasenkopf is optimistic about the role of technology and policy in shaping a cleaner future. She envisions a major expansion in air quality monitoring driven by traditional reference-grade monitors and the increasing adoption of lower-cost sensor technology. These low-cost sensors have the potential to revolutionize air quality data collection by making real-time, localized monitoring more accessible, especially in regions that currently lack sufficient infrastructure. With more widespread and granular data, policymakers and researchers will gain a clearer picture of pollution sources, exposure risks, and the effectiveness of intervention strategies.
However, while technological advancements are crucial, they must be accompanied by policy shifts prioritizing air quality as an environmental and public health issue. Dr. Hasenkopf also emphasized the deep connection between air quality and climate change, noting that many of the same pollutants responsible for poor air quality, such as particulate matter from burning fossil fuels and industrial emissions, are major contributors to global warming. As more nations commit to climate action, there is an opportunity to align carbon reduction efforts with air quality improvements. Policies aimed at reducing fossil fuel dependence, transitioning to cleaner energy sources, and improving emissions regulations could simultaneously mitigate climate change and enhance public health.
Despite this potential, one of the biggest challenges is mobilizing resources at a scale that matches the severity of the air pollution crisis. Air quality does not receive nearly the level of funding or policy attention it deserves, even though it remains one of the largest environmental health threats worldwide. Millions of premature deaths each year are linked to air pollution, yet the issue remains underfunded and often sidelined in global discussions on sustainability.
Ultimately, Dr. Hasenkopf mentioned, we are at a critical moment. With the right combination of technological innovation, policy action, and financial support, we could see major improvements in global air quality within the next decade. Expanding air quality monitoring will provide a clearer understanding of pollution and empower communities to advocate for cleaner air. By treating air quality and climate change as interconnected challenges, we have the opportunity to create a healthier, more sustainable future.
My Key Takeaways
Speaking with Dr. Hasenkopf reinforced the idea that air quality is not just an environmental issue–it’s a public health crisis that demands urgent attention and a large-scale collaborative effort. One of the most prominent takeaways from our conversation was the power of open data. Making air quality data freely accessible will lead to opportunities to drive grassroots activism, inform policy decisions, and ultimately save lives.
The conversation also highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration. No organization or government can solve this crisis alone; it requires a collective effort from researchers, policymakers, technologists, and local communities. As I reflect on this discussion, I am inspired to explore how I can contribute to bridging the air quality data gap and raising awareness about the impact of pollution on health and well-being.
The question we should ask ourselves now: How can each of us play a role in making this vision a reality?