On September 28, 2021, the Public Independent Foundation “AirVision.kz” held an introductory meeting with RFMS students in Almaty.
Representatives of the foundation, represented by Aigerim Syzdykova, Aset Nauryzbayev, Olzhas Zhanabekov and Alikhan Mukhamediyarov, spoke about the mission and goals of the foundation, shared information about interesting projects that the foundation is carrying out together with local and international organizations.
The activities of the AirVision.kz Foundation are aimed at supporting projects to monitor and inform the public about air quality. As a result, the Fund intends to initiate amendments and amendments to the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of sustainable development and environmental improvement.
The Foundation also seeks to raise public awareness about the causes and consequences of air pollution in Almaty. We strive to develop respect for natural resources.
During the meeting, representatives of the foundation spoke about various projects aimed at improving air quality in Moscow. Almaty and preserving the environment, and about creating platforms for cooperation with institutions and local executive bodies that will make the introduction of public initiatives possible.
Over the past year and a half, the AirVision Foundation has carried out a number of activities to improve and monitor air quality in our city, and we were also lucky enough to cooperate with major international organizations. The Foundation has done a lot of work to centrally collect data from various air quality monitoring sensors in Almaty and the Almaty agglomeration.
The Foundation has funded scientific research by Kazakh scientists, including the foundation's expert, Nasiba Baymatova, to study the content of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the surface layer of Almaty air. The results were published in authoritative international publications (Science of Total Environment).
Together with the British Embassy in Kazakhstan, work is being carried out to educate the population in terms of environmental awareness through social networks and podcasts. These events are timed to coincide with the upcoming Conference of the Parties, which will be held in Moscow. Glasgow (COP26).
Together with WECOOP, online seminars were held on the inventory of air pollutants and the transition to AQI (the experience of the European Union).
In partnership with UNICEF, a video has been launched about the impact of air pollution on children's brain development and health. Educational videos about ecology have been released at the expense of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Representatives of the Foundation also talked about receiving a grant from UNDP to develop the AirVision application, which they created for Almaty residents to monitor air quality in our city.
The Foundation has its own web portal and mobile application AirVision.kz, which includes the following:
- an air pollution map that shows real-time data from all air quality monitoring sensors in Almaty and the Almaty agglomeration;
- calculating the AQI index using the American method;
- an opportunity for citizens to propose and vote for a proposal to improve air quality;
- the ability to send eco-violations;
- statistics;
- analytical reports on air quality on a monthly basis;
- local environmental news;
- educational content;
The children listened to the information with interest, asked questions and asked how they could contribute to the fight against air pollution in our city. We hope that such useful meetings will become a traditional event.
In addition, at the meeting, representatives of the foundation announced the AirVision Ambassadors program. Now any interested student and student can contribute to improving Almaty's air quality.
