East San Jose includes neighborhoods ranked among the 10% most burdened by pollution in California, facing overlapping exposure from traffic, industry, and increasingly severe wildfire smoke. However, communities facing some of the greatest pollution burdens often lacked the localized monitoring infrastructure needed to understand their own exposure. The places with the greatest need for environmental data were often the places where that data was most sparse.
To combat air pollution in East San Jose, ConServe combines technology, education, and youth advocacy. The project develops block-by-block machine learning pollution maps and expands access to local air monitoring while hosting hands-on workshops where students learn to build air quality monitors and air purifiers. ConServe also works with students, school districts, county offices of education, and local leaders to advance clean air and climate action resolutions and help young people advocate for healthier, more sustainable communities.
