Measuring Air

Clean air should be a given, but improving air quality is next to impossible without accurate data and measurements. Climate start-up Aclima’s air measurement and analysis platform translates billions of scientific measurements from its network of stationary and roaming sensors into important environmental intelligence for governments, businesses, and communities. This year, Aclima carried out a study of California’s air using its fleet of vehicles equipped with monitoring equipment and found that communities of color are exposed to 55% more nitrogen dioxide than mostly White communities. Co-founder and CEO Davida Herzl says this hyperlocal, block-by-block data is crucial: “In order to really be able to drive climate action…it’s up to local governments, local businesses, individuals; it all happens at the local level.”

Write to Amy Gunia at amy.gunia@time.com.