Air Quality Monitoring Stations

The Carbon Tree Project is an initiative that aims to empower young people and other citizens to critically think about a problem that directly affects their lives and communities – air pollution. During the project, participants used low-cost air quality monitoring stations, which they use to investigate environmental and public health issues of their interest.

What is the Carbon Tree Project?

The Carbon Tree Project enables participants to construct air quality monitoring stations equipped with various sensors for relevant atmospheric pollutants (carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter). Additionally, a sensor for carbon dioxide (CO2) – a greenhouse gas – allows participants to study and reflect on anthropogenic CO2 production and its climatic consequences.

Through this process, participants identify air quality issues in their communities and propose behavioral, societal, and public policy solutions. The project promotes environmental awareness, social justice, and the experience of scientific processes in daily life. This experience aims to contribute to more informed and active citizens in solving other real-life problems in their communities.

Air Quality Monitoring Stations

During my time at InovLavs, I helped develop the software (written in Python and C/C++) for these monitoring stations. You can check out the code on GitHub by clicking here.

The Ciência + Cidadã program, a partnership between IGC, ITQB NOVA, and Câmara Municipal de Oeiras, supported the project.

Below is an image of one of the air quality monitoring stations.

The Project's Impact

The Carbon Tree Project participated in the Teachers Climate Change Forum 2020, promoted by the University of Helsinki, with a workshop on August 3-4, 2020. The project was also presented at the European Researchers' Night (ERN) 2020.

This initiative not only fostered critical thinking and scientific inquiry among the participants but also helped raise awareness about air pollution and its impacts on health and the environment. Participants learned how to use data from their stations to make informed decisions and advocate for better air quality in their communities.

Final Thoughts

The Carbon Tree Project is a testament to the power of community-driven scientific inquiry and environmental advocacy. Even though I am no longer involved in the project, I am grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to this initiative and happy to see it grow.

Learn more about the Carbon Tree Project and how you can get involved by clicking here.