By AIT Public Affairs
10 July 2024: AIT Center for Nexus of Air Quality, Health, Ecosystem, and Climate, or Air Quality Nexus Center, in short, was launched on 10 July 2024. Distinguished Professor Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh will lead the center, which will be the focal point for building capacity and conducting cutting-edge research in the atmospheric sciences. It will foster collaboration across multidisciplinary research areas within AIT and other institutions, enhancing research and education capabilities.
Air pollution is a critical global challenge with significant impacts on health, the environment, the economy, and society. The Health Effects Institute’s report revealed that in 2021, air pollution led to 8.1 million deaths globally, with 6.1 million of those deaths occurring in Asia. The primary contributor to this crisis is fine particulate matter (PM2.5), present in both ambient air and indoors. This pollutant surpasses other significant health risks and poses an urgent need for action, as highlighted by the World Health Organization’s air quality guidelines. Rapid urbanization, industrialization, vehicle emissions, and agricultural activities have contributed to critical air pollution levels, particularly in Asia. The key to addressing these issues lies in controlling emissions, but technical and financial challenges hinder progress in many developing Asian countries. The primary goal of the new center is to tackle these problems and challenges.
During the inauguration of the center, Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto, AIT President emphasized that with the launch of this center, AIT is not only reaffirming its commitment to addressing air pollution, but also leading towards a healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable future. He urged all stakeholders to collaborate, exchange ideas, and work together towards the shared goal of improving air quality for all. Prof. Yamamoto also expressed enthusiasm to see the impactful work that will emerge from the Air Quality Nexus Center.
Dr. Bindu Lohani, Chairman of Clean Air Asia and AIT Board member, stated, “Improving air quality is essential for community health and well-being. By implementing specific innovative solutions, robust policies, and fostering collaboration among governments, organizations, and communities, we can work towards achieving clean air and a stable climate for all.”
Prof. Kim Oanh, Director of the Air Quality Nexus Center, stressed the urgent global need for actionable solutions to combat air pollution. Highlighting the borderless nature of air pollution challenges, she called for a united approach emphasizing on airshed management, encouraging collaborative efforts across regional and international boundaries. She stressed that the center is poised to spearhead these efforts, engaging with strategic partners from Asia and beyond to foster meaningful changes in air quality management to gain multiple benefits of clean air, human health, ecosystems and climate.
The Air Quality Nexus Center aims to conduct high-quality research with real-life applications for improving air quality in Asia and beyond, focusing on multi-pollutant and multi-effect approaches for cost-effective solutions to air pollution. The center also aims to expand international cooperation, provide assistance to governments and development partners in implementing clean air action plans, and promote multi-disciplinary approaches within AIT and internationally.
The event featured a presentation from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wenchao Xue, Chair of the Environmental Engineering and Management (EEM) program at AIT, shared perspectives on the integrated research approach in environmental studies in Asia. Following this, notable guests including Ms. Le Thanh Thuy, Head of Project Management and Communication of Hanoi EPA, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), Vietnam; Prof. Sotiris Vardoulakis, Director, NHMRC Healthy Environments And Lives (HEAL) National Research Network, University of Canberra, Australia; Dr. Eric Zusman, Research Director, Center for Sustainability Governance, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), Japan; Mr. Bhushan Tuladhar, Chief of Party, USAID Clean Air, FHI 360-Nepal; Mr. Bert Fabian, Coordinator, Secretariat for the EANET, UN Environment Programme, Asia and the Pacific, and Prof. Joyashree Roy Director of SMARTS center, AIT delivered their remarks. These sessions provided valuable insights and fostered discussions on the nexus of air quality, health, ecosystems, and climate.
