All About Air Quality Bootcamp
Empowering Communities to take Action for Cleaner Air.
"All About Air Quality Bootcamp" Program Overview
A California Air Resources Board (CARB) and California Climate Investments (CCI) funded initiative helping communities understand and improve air quality through knowledge and tools. The Coalition for Clean Air , in partnership with TD Enviro , wants to bridge the gap between air quality science and actionable community knowledge.
Designed to empower residents from some of California’s most impacted regions, these Bootcamps equip participants with the tools, knowledge, and resources necessary to understand air quality issues and advocate for healthier communities in the form of a 2.5 day intensive training titled 'All About Air Quality Bootcamp.'
The Need for Air Quality Training in Impacted Communities
Air quality issues disproportionately affect communities across California, particularly in regions with heavy industrial activity, significant vehicle emissions, or proximity to major transportation corridors.
Despite the direct impact on their health and well-being, many community members lack the knowledge, tools, and resources necessary to address these challenges effectively. This gap leaves them feeling powerless to take meaningful action, even as they witness the detrimental effects of pollution on their families and neighborhoods.
Participants in the All About Air Quality Bootcamp consistently express a deep passion for protecting their communities. However, without access to technical education, air quality data, or an understanding of local regulations, their ability to advocate for change remains limited.
The map on the right shows our Bootcamp Locations in relation to California's most polluted communities (communities with CalEnviroScreen scores >75%).
What the Bootcamp Includes
The All About Air Quality Bootcamp is more than just a training program—it’s a fully immersive experience designed to empower and connect participants while providing them with the tools and knowledge to advocate for cleaner air. Here's what participants can expect:
Participants engaging in icebreakers at our Welcome Dinner for our All About Air Quality Bootcamp in Ontario, CA.
Welcome Dinner: The Bootcamp kicks off with a casual welcome dinner (sponsored by external groups, usually based in regions where we've hosted the Bootcamp). This serves as an icebreaker event, creating a friendly atmosphere where participants, trainers, and speakers can get to know each other. By the end of the evening, everyone feels like part of a team, ready to dive into the intensive sessions the following day.
Participants in session at our All About Air Quality Bootcamp in Oakland, CA.
Two Days of Intensive Training: From 9 AM to 4 PM on the second and third days, participants engage in a comprehensive workshop led by two esteemed trainers: Dr. Joe Lyou, CEO of Coalition for Clean Air, and Tim Dye, President of TD Enviro. The sessions are interactive, providing a deep dive into air quality science, monitoring techniques, and advocacy strategies.
Ron Loveridge, former Mayor of Riverside, speaking about his challenges with air pollution in the Inland Empire.
Expert Guest Speakers: Each Bootcamp features local experts from the region who bring a unique perspective on air quality issues affecting their communities. These speakers lead discussions, share insights, and take questions from participants, enriching the learning experience.
Hands-On Activities: To make learning engaging and memorable, participants take part in fun, interactive activities, such as creating ozone in a jar to observe its impact on materials like balloons and using bubble blowing to visualize how particles move in the air.
Tim Dye and Story Schwantes, TD Enviro team, making ozone in a jar and blowing bubbles to see how particles move when released into the air.
Meals Provided: We provide the welcome dinner, breakfast snacks and lunch on both training days, ensuring participants stay energized and focused. We prefer to purchase from local places to give back to the community.
Completion Certificate & Stipend: At the end of the three days, participants who attend all sessions receive a certificate of completion along with a stipend of up to thank them for their commitment.
Support for Community-based Groups: Recognizing the crucial role of local organizations in connecting us with participants, we compensate participating environmental justice groups for their contributions to outreach and recruitment.
Bootcamp participants gathering in community, experimenting with air dispersion, and enjoying delicious local food.
Bootcamp Curriculum: Lessons in Air Quality & Environmental Justice
At each Bootcamp location, we developed comprehensive presentation slides tailored to the specific environmental justice challenges facing that community.
These slides cover key topics taught by the Coalition for Clean Air, TD Enviro and expert guest speakers. These slides highlight the valuable insights and practical knowledge participants gained during the intensive two-day training.
Bootcamp Agenda Overview
The following topics are tailored to each individual community, but these are the general topics covered:
- Basic Air Quality Concepts: Understanding the fundamentals of air quality and how to interpret the Air Quality Index (AQI).
- Emissions: Examining the sources of emissions, particularly from transportation and industrial activities, and their impact on air quality.
- Pollutants: Identifying and defining specific pollutants such as particulate matter (PM 2.5 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), ozone and more.
- Air Pollution Meteorology: Studying how weather patterns and atmospheric conditions affect the dispersion and concentration of air pollutants.
- Measuring Air Pollution: Techniques and tools used to monitor and measure air pollution levels, including the use of sensors and data analysis.
- Health Effects: Exploring the health impacts of air pollution, particularly on vulnerable populations, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
- Air Pollution Regulation: Overview of regulations and policies aimed at reducing air pollution, including California's emissions standards and environmental justice initiatives.
- Understanding Data: Analyzing air quality data to identify trends and disparities in pollution exposure among different communities.
- Air Quality & Environmental Justice: Addressing the disproportionate impact of air pollution on low-income and minority communities and efforts to achieve environmental justice.
- Communications & Advocacy: Strategies for effectively communicating air quality issues and advocating for policy changes to improve air quality.
Bootcamp Locations: Taking Action Across California
Explore the journey of the All About Air Quality Bootcamp across California, with stops in:
- Torrance (June 2023)
- Oakland (November 2023)
- Fresno (February 2024)
- Ontario (November 2024)
Each location brought unique challenges and insights, empowering participants to tackle air quality issues in their own communities.
Torrance, CA
June 2-4, 2023
The Torrance Bootcamp, our very first Bootcamp, was held at the Torrance Municipal Airport, a location central to discussions about industrial impacts on air quality. Participants explored the importance of monitoring air quality in areas affected by pollution, including lead emissions from small planes using leaded fuel.
While the Bootcamp provided a safe, indoor environment for learning, it also highlighted the real-world challenges communities face in addressing industrial and aviation-related pollution. Attendees left equipped with the tools and knowledge to advocate for cleaner air in their neighborhoods.
Major Air Quality Challenges:
Torrance Guest Speaker:
Ed Avol, Professor Emeritus of Clinical Medicine, Department of Preventative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine
Torrance Participating Community Groups:
Oakland, CA
November 2-4, 2023
Our second Bootcamp brought community members together with California Air Resources Board (CARB) representatives in lively group discussions.
These sessions centered on the unique challenges urban settings face, with a strong focus on environmental justice. Participants gained insights into addressing air quality disparities and learned how to push for equitable solutions in their neighborhoods.
Major Air Quality Challenges:
Guest Speakers:
John R. Balmes, MD, Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley
- Trish Johnson, Air Pollution Specialist, California Air Resources Board (CARB)
- Cynthia Wong, Air Pollution Specialist, California Air Resources Board (CARB)
Oakland Participating Community Groups:
Fresno, CA
February 8-10, 2024
At our third Bootcamp in Fresno, participants explored the agricultural impacts on air quality in the Central Valley.
Hands-on demonstrations, like setting up air monitors, allowed attendees to grasp how emissions from farming practices affect local air quality. This Bootcamp empowered participants to engage with agricultural stakeholders and advocate for healthier air.
Major Air Quality Challenges:
Guest Speakers:
Genevieve Amsalem, Director of Air and Environmental Justice, Central California Environmental Justice Network (CCEJN)
- Kevin D. Hamilton, RRT, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Central California Asthma Collaborative (CCAC)
Fresno Participating Community Groups:
Ontario, CA
November 14-16, 2024
The Ontario Bootcamp, our fourth, tackled transportation and community health, addressing concerns about freeway expansion and warehousing and their impact on air quality.
Participants shared their experiences and learned strategies to advocate for better urban planning that prioritizes public health. This location highlighted the intersection of transportation infrastructure and environmental justice.
Major Air Quality Challenges:
Guest Speakers:
Professor Ron Loveridge, Former Mayor, City of Riverside
- Mike McCarthy, Ph.D. Data Scientist, Environmental Consultant & Founder, Radical Research LLC
- Jill Johnston, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Population and Public Health Sciences and Spatial Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of USC
- William Porter, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California Riverside
Ontario Participating Community Groups:
- Center for Community Action & Environmental Justice (CCAEJ)
- Freewill Baptist Church
- Fair Ontario
- Inland Valley Advocates for the Environment (IVAE)
- LULAC de Ontario
- Motivating Action Leadership Opportunity (MALO)
- NAACP
- Poor People’s Campaign
- Rochelle’s Open Arms
Participant Testimonials
After graduating 120+ participants from the All About Air Quality Bootcamp, read how they've used and benefited from their newfound knowledge months after the training:
"I learned the relationship between the different agencies AQMD, CARB, and the EPA."
"I utilized issue education provided at the Bootcamp to inform our organization's community-based air monitoring and quality project."
"I learned how to protect myself and my community."
"I presented information about the Bootcamp at a coalition meeting and provided information on toxins and particulate matter as well as the sources for adverse health effects related to air pollution exposure."
"I spoke to community members about the importance of monitoring."
"I now believe air pollution should be a class taught in high school and in college."
"I learned a lot of history and the different initiatives currently going on in the state. I was able to talk to my family about what I learned and also discuss it with my air quality steering committee."
"Our organization has made extensive use of the Bootcamp materials from the flashdrive, which we have uploaded to our organization's Google Drive and use regularly. We use the slides from the Bootcamp deck in our own presentations, reference them regularly and are something we refer others to who are interested in learning more about air quality. Additionally, our group also uses the reference materials, fact sheets, and articles to pull information from. Thank you so much for this resource- it has been a treasure trove, and we use it almost every day we work on our East Bay Clean Air Coalition grant."
"Already spoke with more than 400 people about our polluted air and also helped over 30 people apply for a free air purifier on valley.org."
"We are making tree adopters in the AB617 designated area aware of air quality issues and the benefits of planting trees."
Call to Action
For Funders: We need your support to continue expanding the All About Air Quality Bootcamp program. Your contributions will help us reach more communities, provide essential tools and knowledge, and drive meaningful change for cleaner air. Together, we can make a significant impact on public health and the environment.
- Donate or Sponsor: Your funding can help us organize more Bootcamps, provide meals for our participants, develop new educational materials, and support community-led air quality initiatives. Click here to donate or explore sponsorship opportunities.
- Join Our Mission: Partner with us to empower communities and advocate for cleaner air. Your support is crucial in making a difference.
For Future Participants: Is your environmental Justice group passionate about improving air quality in your community? Consider partnering with us for future Bootcamps to learn how you can make a difference. Gain valuable knowledge, hands-on experience, and connect with like-minded individuals.
- Upcoming Bootcamps: We're currently looking for funding to continue these Bootcamps. To receive updates and application details, join our mailing list and stay connected by receiving the latest news, resources, and opportunities to take action regarding all things air quality.
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements: This Bootcamp was made possible through the generous funding and support of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and California Climate Investments (CCI). We extend our heartfelt thanks to our organizing partners, TD Enviro , for their dedication and hard work in helping the Coalition for Clean Air plan and execute this initiative.
Contact Information: For inquiries, please reach out to us at:
- Email: diana@ccair.org
- Mailing Address: 617 W 7th St., Suite #300, Los Angeles, CA 90042
We welcome your questions, feedback, and interest in our program. Together, we can achieve cleaner air and healthier communities.
