Have you ever stopped and wondered if the air you breathe in is actually not contaminated? With the growing concern of the increase of air pollutants in the atmosphere, its impact is now being felt across various sectors that include in the health, environment and the economy.
Transport sector has been single out as the major contributing factor to the growing rate of air pollution especially in the developing world Kenya being one of them.
The sector relies on old, inefficient, and poorly maintained vehicles that emit high levels of pollutants into the atmosphere and accounts for approximately 25% of the country’s carbon dioxide emissions, which is the primary greenhouse gas responsible for climate change.
It is in this breath that Nairobi is now hosting the 3rd edition of clean air forum that has brought together top air quality experts, policymakers, and development partners to explore sustainable and inclusive solutions to air pollution.
Discussions around mobility dominated the second day of the conference with Nairobi county executive member for mobility & works Ibrahim Auma emphasizing the need of investing in air monitoring system that will help track air pollutants in various areas that will aid in making informed decision of tackling the menace “The Truth: No government can manage what it cannot measure.
Air pollution is a serious public health challenge, and we need robust, transparent data to act.” Further adding “I speak not only as the County Executive for Mobility and Works, but as a steward of a city that is working every day to breathe cleaner, live greener, and build smarter.”
Auma was also keen to highlight that it is time for Africa and the globe at large to partner and share technology and ideas geared towards reducing air pollution that is emerging as a new threat to humanity.
“Closing Africa’s air quality data gap is not a luxury, it is a development imperative.”
He added that emerging technologies including low-cost sensors, artificial intelligence, machine learning, satellite-based remote sensing, and community-driven platforms, are redefining how we measure, understand, and respond to air pollution.
With the Nairobi’s rapid population growth, more vehicles are being introduced on the roads to support increased movement within the city and surrounding areas
As a precautionary measure, Auma says “We are also aligning air quality monitoring with urban mobility planning, ensuring that our transition to cleaner transport, including electrification, non-motorized transport infrastructure, and traffic decongestion, contributes directly to improved air quality outcomes.”
The increased air pollution being witnessed in Nairobi, Kenya is a replica of what is happening in other cities across Africa and beyond, hence the need for nations to collaborate and forge partnerships.
As the 3rd edition of the Clean Air Forum concludes after three days of deliberations since July 15, participating nations are expected to have explored evidence-based policies, emerging technologies, regional collaborations, and funding opportunities anchored in partnerships among cities and researchers, governments and civil society, local innovators, and global platforms.
