Center for Research at the tropical atmosphere-environment nexus: Yielding solutions through Sensing, Technology, novel AI, Knowledge Blending, and Learning in data-sparse environments

This Center will leverage novel knowledge blending techniques, coupled with advanced measurements, regional scale modeling, artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML), and the use of a wide range of low-cost sensors to create a new scientific understanding of how atmospheric processes and changing human-driven emissions in Africa impact local/regional air quality and climate. The goal of this Center is to increase understanding of emissions sources and their impacts on global air quality and climate, to inform decisions for pollution reduction and climate resilience.  The Center will enhance understanding, monitoring, and prediction of changes of atmospheric composition and emissions across Africa by leveraging transdisciplinary teams that build global scientific, technological, and policy capacities. The center’s social science component will explore and test effective ways to 1) bring local knowledge around sources and socio-economic processes into ground truthing, 2) collaborate to enhance local science and policy capacities [3], and 3) communicate evidence-based information to the public and policy makers to support and encourage appropriate interventions to reduce pollution and provide health benefits. The center’s transdisciplinary team includes a range of international partnerships, national laboratories, governments, and private companies whose aim is to encourage the development of equitable partnerships and collaborations that support translating new scientific knowledge and technologies into infrastructure and scientific capacity building. The center will produce transformative measurement and modeling technologies needed to assess the immediate and long-term impacts on climate and air quality, supporting Africa and the world to act.