Table 2 Summary of key citizen-based air quality monitoring projects in Africa.
From: Translating citizen-generated air quality data into evidence for shaping policy
Project | Aim of the project | Location | Initiators | Community tasks | Approach to data | Science–policy–society interface |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Open-Seneca (OpenSeneca, 2019) | To empower citizens with air pollution data to raise awareness, promote behavioral change, and inform policymakers on environmental issues. | Kenya | Academia, research institutes, maker groups, non-profit organizations | Crowdsourcing air quality data | Validated data is used to promote behavioral change and inform decision-makers about air pollution issues. | Educating citizens to build air pollution sensors for monitoring transport-related pollution. Advocating for better urban planning and legislation. |
Open Cities Lab (OCL, 2019) | To address the air pollution issue within marginalized communities. | South Africa | Non-profit organization | Crowdsourcing and interpreting data | Data is used to understand air quality challenges in poor residential areas. | Facilitating multi-stakeholder interaction and discussion on hyperlocal air pollution issues. |
sensorsAfrica (Sensors.Africa, 2021) | To work with neighborhood communities to monitor air pollution. | Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania | Civic technology initiative, community members | Crowdsourcing air quality data using stationary sensors | Data is used to create responsive locally driven strategies. | Facilitating interaction between the community, local policymakers, and researchers. Advocating for action against environmental injustice. |
OpenAQ (OpenAQ, 2021) | To empower communities around the world to clean their air by harmonizing, sharing, and using open air quality data. | Angola, Ethiopia, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana | A non-profit organization, citizens | Crowdsourcing air quality data | Open data platform to share data with multiple stakeholders. | Bridging the gap between science and policy. Advocating for open data to fight air inequality. |
GHAir (Sewor et al., 2021) | To bridge air pollution data gaps in Ghana. | Ghana | Researchers, community members | Crowdsourcing air quality data | Data is used to provide real-time air quality information to promote behavioral change. | Opening up a dialog between citizens, researchers, and decision-makers. Influencing air pollution control policies. |
