AirWatch: Building Air Quality know-how and Partnerships
AirWatch is a comprehensive air quality program that examines the causes and effects of air pollution and investigates social aspects such as attitudes and behaviour towards improving air quality in our communities. AirWatch core objectives are to increase knowledge, skills and understanding of air pollution issues at a local level.
The program aims to equip students and community members with the knowledge to make informed decisions leading to positive behaviour change. Specifically AirWatch aims to educate the school community about the causes and effects of air pollution, give teachers, children and parents an opportunity to act on this issue, and develop community education initiatives focusing on haze, smog and indoor air.
The AirWatch program is delivered through the components of AirWatch Schools, AirWatch Community and AirWatch public events and displays.
Community education is recognized as a vitally important component of the Perth Air Quality Management Plan (Perth AQMP), as it brings together all the actions that have an education awareness raising, informing or behaviour change component. AirWatch is one of the mechanisms for delivering the Community Education Initiative actions across the Perth AQMP.
AirWatch provides activities and materials to undertake social and scientific monitoring, through the use of teaching manuals. Air quality monitoring equipment and weather stations are provided by AirWatch. Competitions, incentives and recognition for environmental learning and action are also part of the program.
The following paper discusses the outcomes of selected AirWatch school and community projects in 2006, and the implications for air quality management in WA.