Air pollution walk as an impact education tool for air quality sensitization: a pilot from an Indian megacity
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Published:2024-07-17
Issue:3
Volume:7
Page:151-159
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ISSN:2569-7110
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Container-title:Geoscience Communication
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language:en
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Short-container-title:Geosci. Commun.
Author:
Bej Debabrata,Ghosh Sandip Sankar,Haldar Srijan,Roy Arindam
Abstract
Abstract. Air pollution has become a serious matter of concern in the global south, and a significant amount of funding has been used to create awareness of air pollution. The conventional method of sensitization relies on workshops where slide-based presentations, images, plots and graphs are shown to participants. However, sensitization about air quality using such an audio-visual format might not be sufficient to create adequate impact. Here, in this study, we propose a new sensitization technique, the pollution walk, where participants and a subject matter expert will walk through different urban micro-environments with a live air quality monitor. A pilot involving three such pollution walks with 24 participants was conducted in a South Asian megacity, and pre- and post-walk surveys were conducted. The results indicate a greater sense of understanding among the participants, and the multi-disciplinary nature of the air pollution problem has been communicated well. To understand the long-term impact, a survey after 1 year was conducted which clearly indicates high levels of awareness and behavioural changes among the participants.
Publisher
Copernicus GmbH
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