The CLEAN-Air Forum 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya served as a continental mirror—reflecting on the severity of Africa’s urban air pollution crisis and also highlighting the innovative responses like the “Schools for Earth: Environmental Sensing at Schools” initiative as a point for reference for the rest of the continent.
In classrooms across Ghana, a quiet revolution is taking place—not through protests or politics, but through data, dialogue, and discovery.
Armed with air sensors and scientific curiosity, students are stepping into the role of environmental stewards, measuring the invisible threats around them and using that knowledge to push for cleaner, healthier communities.
This transformation is being driven by the “Schools for Earth: Environmental Sensing at Schools” initiative, presented by Lily Ama Appiagyei, Vice Lead at Clean Air One Atmosphere, at the recently concluded CLEAN-Air Forum 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Clean Air One Atmosphere is a dynamic organization committed to advancing clean air solutions across Africa by leveraging scientific research, community engagement, and policy advocacy.
The initiative reflects their holistic approach — combining cutting-edge environmental sensing technologies with education and empowerment to drive sustainable change.
The program brings participatory science directly into schools, not only to address the pressing issue of air pollution but also to cultivate a new generation of informed, empowered young leaders.
Through hands-on learning and community engagement, the initiative is turning schools into living laboratories—and students into changemakers.
A Critical Problem Demanding Action
Air pollution is a silent killer worldwide, linked to millions of premature deaths each year. In Ghana, the crisis is especially severe.
The data presented revealed that air pollution reduces life expectancy in Ghana by an estimated 2.7 years.
It contributes tragically to nearly 3,300 newborn deaths and 28,000 premature deaths annually, a human cost that cannot be ignored.
Despite this heavy toll, Ghana faces significant gaps in its environmental monitoring infrastructure.
Access to reliable, near-real-time air quality data is limited, especially in the most vulnerable communities.
Without this information, public awareness remains low, and local efforts to mitigate pollution lack a strong evidence base.
Moreover, where data does exist, communities often lack the technical capacity to interpret and apply it to policy or behavioral changes.
This data gap creates a vicious cycle: those most impacted by pollution—especially young people—are sidelined in environmental decision-making.
The “Schools for Earth” initiative directly confronts this problem by empowering youth through data-driven science, viewing it as a vital social investment with the potential for long-term health and environmental benefits.
Turning Students into Environmental Leaders
The initiative’s primary goal is to engage, educate, and empower students to become active leaders in clean air efforts within their communities.
This is not a passive learning experience.
Instead, students are collaborators in data collection, analysis, and communication, connecting scientific insights to the realities they live every day.
The program integrates sustainability science into school curricula, preparing students with practical skills in earth observation and environmental problem-solving.
This approach nurtures critical thinking and technical expertise, equipping students to confront complex challenges now and in the future.
By positioning schools as hubs of environmental monitoring, the initiative fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility.
Students are not just recipients of knowledge but agents of change who can influence their families, peers, and local policymakers.
Participatory Science: Learning by Doing
Central to the initiative’s success is its participatory science model, where students, teachers, and sometimes even local legislators work side-by-side.
Using user-friendly air quality sensors, students monitor pollution levels in and around their schools, receiving near-real-time feedback on air quality.
This hands-on approach makes environmental data tangible and relevant.
Students witness firsthand how pollution levels fluctuate throughout the day and in response to local activities such as traffic congestion, waste burning, and weather changes.
This direct experience demystifies complex scientific concepts and fosters curiosity and engagement.
Students learn to identify patterns, formulate questions, and communicate their findings to broader audiences.
This empowerment through knowledge transforms students into advocates for cleaner air — individuals who understand the science and can champion change in their communities.
What the Data Revealed
The pilot phase of the project yielded valuable insights into local air pollution patterns.
Data showed persistent levels of pollution exceeding health-based guidelines, with noticeable variations tied to daily routines and seasonal weather phenomena.
For example, pollution levels tended to increase on weekends, reflecting shifts in human activity, and were influenced by regional winds carrying dust and pollutants into urban areas.
The data also pinpointed common pollution sources in Ghanaian cities, including vehicle emissions, dust stirred by wind, and open burning of waste.
These findings are more than just numbers; they provide communities with targeted knowledge about what’s causing pollution locally.
This enables more focused responses, from improved waste management practices to traffic regulation and public awareness campaigns.
Challenges and Solutions
The initiative faced some practical challenges, which were addressed proactively:
- Sensor downtime and missing data points were mitigated through regular maintenance and network troubleshooting.
- Student engagement fluctuated due to academic schedules, which required close coordination with school clubs and leadership to sustain participation.
- Internet connectivity issues sometimes hampered data transmission; these were addressed through SIM card swaps and alternative connection strategies.
- To promote longevity, the initiative fostered the creation of “Clean Air Clubs” in schools, ensuring ongoing community interest and stewardship beyond the initial pilot.
These proactive solutions demonstrate a strong commitment to scaling the program and embedding it sustainably within local education systems.
A Vision for the Future
The “Schools for Earth” pilot demonstrates the power of combining environmental sensing technology with youth engagement.
It shows that students can be effectively empowered to understand, communicate, and act upon real-time air quality data in their communities.
By turning schools into centers for environmental observation and action, the initiative contributes to building resilience against pollution’s health impacts.
It also builds a foundation of scientific literacy and leadership skills that are vital for Africa’s sustainable development.
Clean Air One Atmosphere envisions this model expanding across the continent, bringing participatory science and sustainability education to countless schools.
The goal is a generation of young Africans equipped with the knowledge, skills, and agency to champion clean air solutions.
As the presentation concluded, this student-led approach does more than raise awareness; it builds practical skills and leadership needed to transform a daunting environmental crisis into an opportunity for empowerment and sustainable community development.
