Happy International Day of Clean Air and Blue Skies!

Today, we celebrate the critical importance of clean air and the brilliant minds working to preserve it. One such inspiring figure is 2023 Mawazo Fellow, Johra Said Ali from Kenya, who is bringing a breath of fresh air to the energy sector. Johra's groundbreaking research at the Vaal University of Technology, aims to make the production of environmentally friendly biodiesel more affordable by utilizing waste cooking oil and modified slag from the iron and steel industry as feedstock and catalysts.

The Urgency of Addressing Air Pollution

Air pollution remains the single greatest environmental risk to human health. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that in 2016 alone, approximately 6.5 million premature deaths were linked to indoor and outdoor air pollution globally. Developing countries are disproportionately affected, with women, children, and the elderly bearing the brunt of the impact. In low-income populations, exposure to high levels of ambient air pollution and indoor air pollution from cooking and heating with wood fuel and kerosene is particularly concerning. These exposures contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, further exacerbating public health challenges.

The Role of Fossil Fuels in Air Pollution

Fossil fuels, particularly in the transport sector, are a significant contributor to air pollution on the African continent. Heavy Duty Vehicles (HDVs) are major polluters, accounting for over 40% of on-road nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, over 60% of on-road particulate matter (PM 2.5), and more than 20% of black carbon emissions, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). These pollutants not only degrade air quality but also contribute to climate change, creating a dire need for cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions.?

To make biodiesel production economically viable, attention has shifted to using low-quality feedstocks such as waste cooking oil (WCO). WCO is easily available and utilizing it as a feedstock eliminates the environmental challenges caused by poor disposal practices. However, WCO contains a high percentage of free fatty acids (FFAs) which negatively impact the performance of conventional homogeneous alkali catalysts used in large-scale production. Thus, Johra’s research suggests a heterogeneous catalyst that is tolerant to high FFAs concentrations, efficient, and economically friendly is necessary.

Investing in Clean Air for a Sustainable Future

Our network of skilled women researchers, including Johra, are at the forefront of finding local solutions to pressing global challenges such as climate change and environmental degradation. On this International day of #CleanAir and #BlueSkies, we call on governments, industries, and individuals to invest in clean air initiatives. By doing so, we not only protect our health and the environment but also pave the way for sustainable economic growth.

As the demand for energy increases with the growth of industrial capabilities across Africa, the need for cleaner, alternative energy sources becomes more urgent. Johra Said Ali’s work exemplifies the kind of innovative thinking needed to make these alternatives economically viable. Collaborate with us and support our Fellows in their mission to clean our skies and create a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

References:

1. [World Health Organization (WHO) - Ambient Air Pollution](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health)

2. [United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) - Emissions Gap Report 2022](https://www.unep.org/resources/emissions-gap-report-2022)

3. [UNEP - Air Pollution and Climate Change](https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/air/what-we-do/air-pollution-and-climate-change)

4. [Mawazo Learning Exchange (MLEx) - Johra Said Ali] (https://mawazolearningexchange.org/johra-said-ali/)