Climate change and air pollution are closely intertwined and share root causes—mainly fossil fuel combustion. Air pollution, with its immediate and visible health impacts can serve as a powerful entry point for broader environmental action. Yet much of the world lacks local pollution monitoring, limiting public awareness and pressure for reform. This project will run the first global randomized control trial to test whether delivering real-time, localized air quality data to stakeholders can raise awareness, prompt engagement, and reduce pollution. The project leverages novel, satellite-derived PM2.5 estimates to track daily air quality across 1,000+ cities and send alerts via social media to government officials, regulators, NGOs, journalists, and citizens in treated cities. This low-cost, scalable intervention offers the potential to bridge environmental data gaps and strengthen accountability around the world. Providing transparent information on pollution exposure can empower communities to demand and shape effective responses to air pollution and climate change.
“We’re tackling a critical blind spot in global environmental governance by delivering real‑time, localized air quality data directly to communities and policymakers, giving them the transparency they need to demand change. By scaling a low‑cost, satellite‑derived monitoring system across more than 1,000 cities, we aim to spark public engagement, strengthen accountability, and drive concrete actions that reduce pollution and protect lives worldwide.”
Shaoda Wang, Assistant Professor, Harris School of Public Policy; Inaugural Liang Family Fellow
