A Breath of Inspiration in Air Quality Research

How a daunting daily commute became inspiration for research on improving air quality worldwide.

Walking through the busy streets of London in 2017, I couldn’t help but notice the slogans promoting the city’s plans for a greener future by 2030. Messages about better transportation were everywhere, reminding people of the goal of faster, more reliable, and eco-friendly travel. As I moved through the city – whether on packed trains or busy sidewalks – these goals felt close and personal.

Watching the flow of commuters sparked my curiosity about how this movement affects the air we breathe. It inspired me to explore air quality prediction and how transportation choices shape our environment and impact our health.

While achieving zero emissions remains an ideal, the next era in environmental science will centre on developing more advanced control and preventive methodologies.

Inspired by the Drive

Before I entered the world of air quality research between 2015 and 2019, the weekly work commute was a familiar routine. Depending on traffic, the drive typically took an hour and a half to two hours every Sunday. Thursdays followed the same pattern, leading back home to spend weekends with family. Some weeks, the trip occurred almost daily, influenced by circumstances, the season, and energy levels

This weekly commute was rarely comfortable; after hours on the road, jumping straight into a full day of work proved challenging. However, the drive offered valuable moments for thought and observation. One particularly memorable day featured an unexpected rainstorm, turning the drive into a rain-swept battle.

As the car filled with water, the brakes were impaired, and visibility dropped as vehicles behind vanished from sight. At that moment, a sense of losing control raised questions about what might happen next.

This unsettling experience highlighted the connection between daily commutes and the broader issue of air quality. Driving through urban areas revealed how weather can influence air pollution and visibility. These reflections led to an important realisation: understanding how traffic patterns and weather affect air quality is crucial. This newfound curiosity sparked a passion for research in this field.

My objective was clear: explore ways to improve air quality and create healthier environments for everyone, turning personal experiences into meaningful contributions to understanding air quality.

This led me to question: Is achieving net zero emissions possible, or are we moving into a new era with innovative ways to control emissions that challenge our current understanding?

While net zero is an ambitious target, how scientifically grounded is it? The atmosphere’s intricate physical and chemical dynamics raise critical questions: How do these systems influence and respond to external factors? And can we genuinely establish an ecological equilibrium on a planet constantly shaped by natural and human forces?

Looking ahead, should our focus shift toward innovative prevention and mitigation strategies? Could these help us better tackle health challenges linked to air quality while minimising pollution exposure?

These questions have driven my research into air quality prediction, exploring realistic pathways forward. What if the journey to cleaner air lies in deepening our understanding of the complex interplay between human activities and environmental well-being?

Air pollution impacts communities worldwide, though the challenges and resources to tackle it differ greatly. Developed countries, often with more access to technology and data, have invested in air quality monitoring systems and green policies to reduce emissions. However, in many developing regions, the focus remains heavily on economic growth, where industrial expansion and a rise in vehicle use drive up pollution levels.

These emissions don’t just stay local; they contribute to global issues like ozone depletion, acid rain, and climate change. And for countries still building their economies, balancing growth with sustainable practices is a challenging task. Bridging this gap requires collaboration and innovative solutions that are affordable, scalable, and effective.

These emissions don’t just stay local; they contribute to global issues like ozone depletion, acid rain, and climate change.

Through my research, I’ve uncovered how we think about air pollution and its impact on our health. The potential for a worldwide framework standardisation is remarkable. In part two, I’ll dive into these findings, highlighting the urgent health risks we face and solutions that can bring us closer to cleaner air and healthier communities.