Introduction
Climate change is a global problem, getting more serious every day. The average global temperature has risen by 1 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The effects are seen everywhere: longer heat waves, fiercer storms, and increased drought frequency have all been observed. A defining feature of climate change is the rise in greenhouse gases (GHGs), which increase the earth’s temperature. To combat climate change and its many dangerous effects, we must reduce our carbon footprint as much as possible so that the earth’s average temperature doesn’t continue to climb. Fortunately, there are many solutions for fighting climate change with air quality data. By incorporating environmental monitoring into your organization’s strategies for reducing risks posed by climate change, you can make positive changes across your business operations sooner rather than later.
Climate change is an increasingly urgent threat to human health and safety. It’s also, unfortunately, a threat that we can no longer ignore. Climate change results from human activity, largely due to the burning of fossil fuels for energy, transportation, and manufacturing. In response to this impending crisis, many companies are beginning to take actionable steps toward reducing their carbon emissions and usage as soon as possible. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways companies can begin tackling this challenge by gaining insight into their company’s environmental impact—specifically through air quality data. Understanding your company’s current air quality is the first step in understanding how you can reduce your carbon emissions and usage.
Climate change poses significant risks to human health and well-being, the environment, and economic prosperity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), climate change will increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, heat waves, drought, and floods. These climate changes will also lead to indoor air pollutants from sources like wood stoves or gas heaters that may not have been previously a primary concern. Poor air quality is already one of the top five environmental risks to human health. With so much at stake, companies can no longer afford to wait until they see red flags before taking action on climate change mitigation efforts. That’s why it is more important than ever for businesses to leverage data as part of their strategy for reducing risk. Here are seven ways that air quality data can help reduce risks of climate change:
Build a reliable dataset to inform your risk management strategy
Air quality data is generally collected through real-time readings, sampling surveys, and modeling data. Real-time readings, such as those collected by air quality sensors, offer an immediate snapshot of the current quality of the air in a given location. On the other hand, sampling surveys provide a historical view of the air in a specific area. Businesses, cities, or utilities typically commission them to provide a longer-term perspective. As part of your risk management strategy, you should be collecting air quality data across a range of key indicators, such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide levels, temperature, humidity, and ozone levels. Temperature and humidity are critical to consider when designing and managing a facility’s HVAC system. Ozone levels can indicate pollution is entering the building, and CO and NO2 levels can be used to assess the health impacts of that pollution.
Assess the current risk of climate change and build a plan to mitigate that risk
Once you’ve established that monitoring air quality is an important part of your risk management strategy, you can begin to assess the risk posed by climate change. You’ll want to consider the types of extreme weather events most likely to affect your operations. For example, suppose you operate a business in a city prone to hurricanes. In that case, you’ll want to be prepared for the possibility of power outages that could harm your building’s HVAC system. You’ll also want to consider the potential health effects of extreme weather events and how they might impact your employees and customers. For example, if your facility is located in an area with high levels of ozone pollution, your employees might have with their respiratory illnesses.
Monitor the effectiveness of mitigation actions over time
Throughout the year, you’ll want to monitor the effectiveness of your mitigation actions to ensure they are reducing risk as expected. For example, suppose you have installed air filtration systems in your building to reduce pollution. In that case, you’ll want to monitor the amount of particulate matter they are removing to ensure they adequately protect your employees’ health. By regularly reviewing air quality data, you can identify any areas that may require improvement, such as the location of your air filtration systems. This will help you identify any issues before they become serious problems resulting in expensive repairs.
Determine the best time to introduce new products or services based on weather conditions
When managing a company that offers products or services with seasonal variations, you may consider incorporating air quality data into your business decisions. For example, suppose you operate a landscaping business that experiences a significant uptick in business during the spring and summer months. In that case, you may want to introduce new services or products during the winter months, when air quality tends to be poorer. This can help you take advantage of a typically slower business period by generating new revenue.
Measure your carbon footprint and develop strategies to reduce it
By measuring your carbon footprint, you can determine the potential impact of climate change on your company and develop strategies to reduce your carbon emissions. Generally speaking, carbon emissions are primarily generated through the combustion of fossil fuels in facilities’ HVAC systems. You can use air quality data to determine which operations produce the highest CO and CO2 emissions levels. You can then use this information to prioritize efforts to reduce emissions, focusing on the areas that produce the highest amputation.
Provide regular employee training and awareness programs based on data insights
Employee training and awareness programs reduce the negative health impacts of poor air quality. For example, you can provide information on avoiding sources of indoor pollution, such as smoking indoors or burning wood during a power outage. To can install air quality sensors in high-traffic areas, such as break rooms or sidewalks, to further protect your employees will help you to identify any problematic sources of indoor pollution and take action to reduce their impact.
Help determine which technologies are most effective at reducing risk.
Technology plays an increasingly important role in managing risk, including risks associated with climate change. By leveraging data insights, you can identify the most effective technologies for reducing risks related to air quality, such as air filtration systems. When selecting air filtration systems, you’ll want to consider the type of particulate matter they are designed to remove. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters remove 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, including pollen, pet dander, and dust mites. By incorporating air quality data into your risk management strategy, you can help to reduce the negative health impacts of climate change. From monitoring the effectiveness of your mitigation efforts to choosing the most effective technologies for reducing pollution, air quality data can inform a wide range of decisions and help you better prepare for the challenges ahead.
