Using Satellites to Track Indicators of Global Air Pollution and Climate Change Impacts: Lessons Learned From a NASA‐Supported Science‐Stakeholder Collaborative. (3rd July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Anenberg, Susan C.; Bindl, Matilyn; Brauer, Michael; Castillo, Juan J.; Cavalieri, Sandra; Duncan, Bryan N.; Fiore, Arlene M.; Fuller, Richard; Goldberg, Daniel L.; Henze, Daven K.; Hess, Jeremy; Holloway, Tracey; James, Peter; Jin, Xiaomeng; Kheirbek, Iyad; Kinney, Patrick L.; Liu, Yang; Mohegh, Arash; Patz, Jonathan; Jimenez, Marcia P.; Roy, Ananya; Tong, Daniel; Walker, Katy; Watts, Nick; West, J. Jason
• Is Part Of: GeoHealth. Volume 4:Number 7(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-07-03
• Subjects: satellite remote sensing -- air pollution -- climate change -- environmental surveillance -- public health surveillance; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.98
• DOI: 10.1029/2020GH000270
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2471-1403

Abstract

Abstract: The 2018 NASA Health and Air Quality Applied Science Team (HAQAST) "Indicators" Tiger Team collaboration between NASA‐supported scientists and civil society stakeholders aimed to develop satellite‐derived global air pollution and climate indicators. This Commentary shares our experience and lessons learned. Together, the team developed methods to track wildfires, dust storms, pollen counts, urban green space, nitrogen dioxide concentrations and asthma burdens, tropospheric ozone concentrations, and urban particulate matter mortality. Participatory knowledge production can lead to more actionable information but requires time, flexibility, and continuous engagement. Ground measurements are still needed for ground truthing, and sustained collaboration over time remains a challenge. Plain Language Summary: Recent advances in satellite remote sensing enable observation‐based tracking of climate change and air pollution with relatively high spatial resolution globally. The 2018 NASA Health and Air Quality Applied Science Team (HAQAST) "Indicators" Tiger Team launched a collaboration between ~20 NASA‐supported scientists and civil society stakeholders to develop satellite‐derived global air pollution and climate indicators. This Commentary demonstrates the range of air quality and climate change tracking uses for satellite data and shares our experience and lessons learned, which can inform future problem‐driven science‐stakeholder collaborative efforts. Together, the team developed methods to track wildfires, dust storms, pollen, urban green space, nitrogen dioxide concentrations and asthma burdens, tropospheric ozone concentrations, and urban fine particulate matter mortality. Lessons learned include that participatory knowledge production can lead to more actionable information for stakeholders but requires time and dedicated attention. Stakeholder engagement is valuable at each stage, from developing more nascent data sets to operationalizing mature data sets. Flexibility is critical, since stakeholder needs evolve and new synergies emerge when there are engagements across a wide range of stakeholders and teams. However, additional ground measurements are needed to ground truth satellite observations, and sustained collaboration between the researchers and stakeholders after extramural support ends remains a challenge. Key Points: The NASA Health and Air Quality Applied Science Team "Indicators" Tiger Team developed satellite‐based air quality and climate indicators Participatory knowledge production can lead to more useful information for stakeholders but requires continuous engagement and flexibility Ground measurements are still needed, and sustained collaboration between the researchers and stakeholders over time remains a challenge