NEW YORK (AP) — A new initiative combining satellite technology with artificial intelligence will empower residents to trace soot pollution in their neighborhoods and identify its origins. This effort, led by former Vice President Al Gore and the nonprofit coalition Climate TRACE, is structured similarly to monitoring weather systems.
Gore's organization, which previously focused on methane emissions tracking, has expanded its capabilities to assess particulate matter, known as soot, affecting urban environments across 2,500 cities globally. According to scientific findings, soot pollution has dire health implications, leading to millions of deaths annually worldwide.
The Climate TRACE initiative employs 300 satellites alongside 30,000 ground sensors to analyze over 137,000 sources of soot pollution, pinpointing 3,937 that are classified as significant emitters. This extensive data will soon allow users to observe long-term pollution trends and eventually gain access to real-time updates through familiar weather apps.
Gore elaborated on the importance of visibility into pollution sources: Before AI, it was challenging for individuals to pinpoint the origins of conventional air pollution. Now, when people have knowledge of how this pollution infiltrates their homes, they can be armed with the truth of their experience. As my belief tradition suggests, knowing the truth can liberate you.”
While soot doesn't directly contribute to global warming, it originates from the same combustion processes that produce greenhouse gases. This is pivotal given that nearly 9 million individuals die prematurely every year due to particulate pollution, emphasizing the intertwined nature of fossil fuel consumption and public health.
Gore highlighted alarming statistics about global hotspots for soot exposure, noting that Karachi, Pakistan, has the highest number of residents affected, followed by cities like Guangzhou, Seoul, New York City, and Dhaka.
