Mayor Steven M. Fulop and Jersey City’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has secured a $465,250 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a three-year air quality monitoring initiative aimed at enhancing environmental health awareness in Jersey City, with a specific focus on the Greenville and Bergen-Lafayette neighborhoods to improve public health.
“We recognize the direct connection between climate and public health, and protecting our most vulnerable communities has always been a priority. This Air Monitoring Program is a critical step toward fostering environmental health awareness and creating lasting, positive change for our residents,” said Mayor Fulop.
The program will track air pollution levels at key monitoring sites over the next three years. Conducted in partnership with the Jersey City Housing Authority, Sustainable Jersey City, Greater Neighborhood Alliance, Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), and Gensler, this effort brings together a diverse coalition committed to improving public health.
Real-time air quality data will be publicly available 24/7 through an online dashboard, The Daily Breather, developed by Temboo. Anyone can sign up for the Daily Breather here to stay informed about local air quality levels, which are increasingly impacted by climate change.
"This grant is a crucial step in improving environmental health in the Greenville and Lafayette neighborhoods,” says Debra Italiano, Founder of Sustainable Jersey City. “To provide real-time air quality data coupled with community training and a climate justice roadmap will serve as a model for sustainable urban development in Jersey City."
Jersey City Health and Human Services recognizes the connection between health and climate and considers it a crucial part of its policy approach. Says Stacey Flanagan, HHS Director, “this initiative represents the first step in a multi-faceted research and community engagement effort to educate our residents about the impacts of heat and climate on their day-to-day health outcomes.”
A cornerstone of the program is empowering the community. Local representatives will be trained to offer educational programs that will empower residents with the knowledge to address air quality issues and improve their own health outcomes.
The initiative also includes the development of a Climate Justice Resiliency Roadmap for the Jackson Hill Main Street Special Improvement District (JHMS SID). According to Gaitree Simpson, JHMS SID President, “air quality monitoring, community education, and climate resiliency planning are critical steps toward safeguarding public health and economic vitality along MLK Drive and Monticello Avenue. This project will provide residents and business owners with data-driven insights and sustainable solutions to climate change issues and help us build a healthier and more resilient neighborhood from within.”
The collaborative effort with design firm, Gensler, is a component for the success of the initiative. Roger Smith, Gensler’s Director of the Center for Research on Equity, believes that “making a significant impact on the community's environmental health and empowering residents to take charge of their health and their environment will foster a more resilient, healthy community.”
The program supports long-term environmental and benefits as well. This initiative bridges environmental science and everyday life and is a game-changer for the health and prosperity of the Jackson Hill community. It will deliver data-driven insights and sustainable solutions to climate change.