Thirty years ago, a groundbreaking Harvard study published in the New England Journal of Medicine established a clear link between air pollution and death rates. The Habitable Air project, celebrating its anniversary, remains highly relevant as we grapple with the interconnected issues of urban inequality, political division, and environmental degradation. This pioneering study was …
In a recent study, researchers Chancel, Bothe, and Voituriez dive into the heart of the triple climate inequality crisis, revealing an urgent need for a revolutionary solution. Published in Nature Climate Change, their work sheds light on the intricate dance between rising urban inequality, deepening political divisions, and the looming spectre of pollution and global …
Unlocking the Climate Finance Puzzle: A Wealth Tax Revolution Read More »
In a world where air pollution and environmental concerns are gaining increasing attention, a recent study sheds light on a remarkable phenomenon in South Africa that speaks volumes about human resilience and community solidarity. Titled “Coughing Out the City: Habitable Air in Petrochemical South Africa” by Kerry Ryan Chance, this study explores how residents of …
The Power of Breathing Together: Durban Shack Dwellers Turn Air into Collective Action Read More »
In a world grappling with unprecedented environmental challenges and the complexities of global capitalism, a new book, “Gramsci at Sea” by Sharad Chari (Senior Researcher – Habitable Air), offers a thought-provoking exploration of the renowned philosopher Antonio Gramsci’s ideas in the context of our oceanic present. While Gramsci is not typically associated with the sea, …
Gramsci at Sea: Navigating the Oceanic Mind of a Revolutionary Read More »
As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States released its Climate Change and Children’s Health Report, the implications reverberate not only within the country but resonate globally. Children, being a vulnerable demographic, bear a disproportionate burden of the effects of climate change, including higher rates of respiratory disease, reduced academic achievement, increased risk …
Climate Change and Children’s Health: A Call to Action for a Safer Future Read More »
The Habitable Air project introduces a new pilot study to identify, monitor, and measure community-level emissions. The pilot study, led by Dr. Kerry Chance, will employ air quality sensors placed in key household and institutional sites. The article was first published by the Department of Social Anthropology, University of Bergen: 04.08.2023 …
Monitoring and Measuring Emissions: The Habitable Air Project Read More »
The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has emphasised the urgent need for immediate and significant action to mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts. The report highlights that human activities are causing global warming, as evidenced by the fact that global surface temperatures have increased by 1.1°C above pre-industrial …
IPCC Report Urges Urgent Climate Action to Secure Sustainable Future Read More »
Urban inequality is a significant challenge that is prevalent in many parts of the world, leading to disparities in access to resources, services, education, and economic opportunities. Fenceline and frontline communities (communities located near industrial activity) are particularly vulnerable to these disparities due to their proximity to industrial activity, which exposes them to various environmental …
Researching Environmental Injustice and Climate Inaction in Durban, South Africa Read More »
In a recent article titled “The pragmatism of continual failure: environmental policy as experimentation in China,” Charlotte Bruckermann (University of Cologne and Senior Researcher: Habitable Air) sheds light on the issue of air pollution in China and the failure of environmental policies to address its detrimental effects on citizens’ health. The article examines the perspectives …
Asthma is an incredibly complex disease that is often overlooked and understudied, particularly in South Africa and generally in the Global South. In South Africa, the story of asthma is deeply entwined with industrial toxicity and air pollution that increase the burden of having this disease. As an ethnographic study, it is crucial to understand …