Mission: ECoST-DATA project introduces an innovative, interdisciplinary approach to assess air quality and its impact on climate change. Recognizing the strong link between environmental issues and human health, the project aims to provide methods and tools for estimating the population's exposure to air pollutants, even at concentrations currently considered low, as recommended by the World Health Organization. The work will provide a significant contribution to environmental protection and public health.
Key Objectives of ECoST-DATA Project:
Build a Harmonized and Continuously Updated Environmental Database: develop statistical-IT procedures for the integration and harmonization of diverse types of georeferenced environmental data. This involves creating a cohesive and standardized spatio-temporal database containing measurements of air pollutants and meteorological/climatic variables, sourced from official entities (like European Environment Agency and Copernicus). This database will be continuously updated and made accessible via the AMELIA platform https://grins.it/progetto/piattaforma-amelia.
Achieve Detailed Small-Scale Environmental Forecasting (Spatial Downscaling): provide forecasts of environmental phenomena at a reduced territorial scale. This is accomplished through the implementation of predictive models and innovative spatial downscaling techniques.
Develop Integrated Multi-Pollutant Composite Indicators: create innovative indicators that jointly consider both air pollutant variables and meteo-climatic variables. These composite indicators will provide a comprehensive and integrated assessment of the overall air pollution level and the intricate effect of climate change.
Promote and Share Knowledge and Analytical Tools: disseminate and share the knowledge acquired and the tools developed. This includes academic dissemination through publications in international journals and presentations at scientific conferences, as well as broader sharing with stakeholders, policymakers, and the general public. An R package will be developed to make the analytical instruments widely accessible, adhering to the principles of Open Science and FAIR Data (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable).
Support Environmental Policies and Mitigation Strategies: The project's findings and analytical tools will form a robust foundation for the development of effective air pollution control policies and climate change mitigation strategies. Detailed analyses, including predictive maps and probability maps, will serve as crucial support instruments for local administrations, enabling them to identify and implement targeted intervention strategies for areas at higher environmental risk.