World's Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index
Data, Graphs, and Maps
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Earth and Space Sciences, Geography
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by The World Air Quality Index Project
What it is
- This interactive world map shows the real-time air-quality index in thousands of locations.
- Students can hover over places to view the air quality data for the past 12 months.
- Students can read detailed information and explore links to further information regarding air quality in each location.
Teaching tips
Positives
- Students can click on the location icon in the top right-hand corner of the map to get information about their local air quality.
- Students can view data on specific pollutants by clicking on the layers icon.
Prerequisites
- Students should be familiar with the concept of air quality and air pollutants.
Differentiation & Implementation
- After looking at the map, students can formulate research questions about specific locations. Students can examine why certain locations have healthy or unhealthy air quality or they could look at how air quality has changed in a certain location over time.
- Earth science classes can discuss the different types of air pollutants and how they differ from one another.
From the scientist review
This resource is valid and considered satisfactory for teaching Air Quality Index, pollution abatement, and environmental justice. Real-time data is accurate, although data points are negligible for generalizations. This may not be sufficient for replication.
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