Dan Westervelt

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Nice profile in Columbia News related to the Climate Week event we hosted Monday @aqtoolbox.org @mcneill-lab.org

We sat down with V. Faye McNeill to discuss her work co-leading the Clean Air Toolbox for Cities Initiative. Her upcoming event, happening during #ClimateWeek, will showcase pioneering work by researchers paving the way towards cleaner air and a sustainable climate.

https://bit.ly/46bc2iq

Image of heatmap for Ghana showing air pollution data trends using a heatmap.

The GRASP dataset is expanding access to air quality data across the continent.
Update: Ghana’s dataset is now live, providing daily PM2.5 trends from the early 2000s through 2024. A powerful tool to inform research, policy, and action for #CleanAir4Africa.
🔗 Explore here: bit.ly/42mk99m

📣 A new #AirQuality dataset for Ghana from @dwesty.bsky.social & colleagues

Register today:

Data and Partnerships for Global Clean Air and Climate

Join us during #ClimateWeek @Columbia for an @aqtoolbox.org event,
"Data and Partnerships for Global Clean Air and Climate"

@columbiaseas.bsky.social @climate.columbia.edu @climategroup.bsky.social @openaq.org @columbiauniversity.bsky.social @lamont.columbia.edu @dwesty.bsky.social

Secondary organic aerosol in urban China: A distinct chemical regime for air pollution studies In the past decades, China has witnessed high air pollution associated with rapid economic development, although regulatory efforts have alleviated the situation since 2013. Haze events characterized ...

Sometimes patience pays off... This paper has been in the works since I was still in my 30s 🤣

It was a pleasure to travel to Xian and work with @amgcarlton.bsky.social and other friends and colleagues on this

Effects of germicidal far-UVC on ozone and particulate matter in a conference room The application of 222 nm light from KrCl excimer lamps (GUV222 or far-UVC) is a promising approach to reduce the indoor transmission of airborne pathogens, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus. GUV222 inac...

Happy to see this one out!

TL;DR: under the right conditions* GUV lamps aren't too bad for air quality in a real-world conference room

*only use the minimum necessary GUV intensity for the space, preferably have good ventilation

journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...

Canadian wildfires are impacting air quality in the U.S. Canada is having its second worst wildfire season yet. Two scientists explain what a red air alert means and how anyone living in impacted areas can protect themselves.

In the past, emissions from power plants or vehicles were bigger drivers of bad air quality. Now, wildfires are pretty much the whole story when it comes to air quality problems in the US, says @lamont.columbia.edu climate scientist @dwesty.bsky.social. Via @npr.org.

in line to submit AGU abstract

Tough scene for us last minute abstract submitters! #AGU

Cleaner air has increased the number of city heatwaves Reducing air pollution is critical for improving public health, but it has brought big climate trade-offs

New study finds that cleaner air has accelerated the increase in heatwaves. "The findings are compelling and add to a growing body of literature on how aerosols can have out-sized impacts on climate extremes," says @lamont.columbia.edu climate scientist @dwesty.bsky.social. Via @newscientist.com.

Nice article on a recent insightful paper, featuring a quote from me

New research from a large team including myself pointing to aerosol reductions in East Asia being responsible for recent observed acceleration in global warming. In particular we find this to be a bigger driver than the oft-mentioned shipping sulfur emissions reductions.

How Fireworks Impact The Environment - Videos from The Weather Channel Fireworks are synonymous with the Fourth of July, but they come with a hidden cost. Beyond the bright colors and loud booms, they release pollution and harmful chemicals that can impact both the envir...

"If you look at a time series of the entire year of data, you can almost instantly pick out July 4th because there'll be a huge spike in particulate matter concentration," says @lamont.columbia.edu expert @dwesty.bsky.social‬, with implications for the environment & health. Via The Weather Channel.

If they close all these research labs, you can't just undo it four years later.

Decades of expertise and tons of specialized equipment will be scattered to the wind. Rebuilding would take ages.

AirNow.gov AQI report for NYC: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups

Besides the fact that it's hot AF, our air quality is garbage today. I don't know about you but for my asthma, ozone days like this hit harder than PM days, and the heat is an extra load on your body. Keep cool and take it easy.

The smoke from Canada's wildfires may be even more toxic than usual The country's legacy of mining means that toxic metals could be carried along plumes of smoke, endangering people in its path.

The smoke from Canada’s wildfires may be even more toxic than usual.

A legacy of mining means that toxic metals could be carried along plumes of smoke.

grist.org/climate/cana...

#Wildfire #Smoke #Wildfires #Climate #Air #AQI

Wildfires Landing Page | AirNow.gov Wildfire smoke is a mixture of air pollutants of which particulate matter is the principal public health threat. Although a large population can be exposed to smoke during a wildfire event, most healt...

for current data one of the best resources is here: www.airnow.gov/wildfires/

Talking to an Air-Quality Expert About That Haze Should you go outside? Wear a mask? Let us explain.

Wildfire smoke is back across most of the eastern half of the US! It was this month 2 years ago that an exceptional smoke event blanketed NYC and much of the east coast, vaulting the story into national news. Here's a spotlight I did back then which is still relevant: www.curbed.com/2023/06/nyc-...

A Giant Plume of Saharan Dust Is Headed to Florida

Wow a whole article about aerosols www.nytimes.com/2025/06/02/w...

The smoke has become remarkably thick over DC as shown by NASA’s AERONET. Thankfully, it’s still located about 2 miles above the surface shown by NASA’s MPLNET. Both important ground based networks operate out of NASA/GSFC in Greenbelt, MD

Mentorship of students is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career, and I've been extremely lucky to be able to work with such brilliant, talented students over the years.

I am grateful to the awards committee for this recognition, along with all of the fantastic past and present students in my research group who were kind enough to nominate me.

I am thrilled and honored to announce that I was awarded the 2025 Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Faculty Mentoring award, in recognition of excellence in mentoring of masters and doctoral research students. www.gsas.columbia.edu/news/2025-gs...

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Day one of EGU flew by. If you didn't get a chance to swing by the Aerodyne Research booth today (Booth #25), we hope to see you tomorrow!

#EGU25

R/V Marcus G. Langseth in Mindelo, Cape Verde on March 15th, 2025 for Cruise MGL 2502. Credit: Cody Bahlau

Why does the R/V Marcus G. Langseth fly different flags? Flags help ensure safe navigation, clear communication, and adherence to international maritime protocols. Next time you see the Langseth in port or at sea, take a look at its flags...they tell an important story! 🚩instagram.com/p/DIg7i7JyGzv

I'm devastated and heartbroken. Staff at the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) got the ax. Most likely means the Sixth National Climate Assessment (NCA6) is also cooked. USGCRP was the glue across the Federal family on all things climate - reducing duplication and making efficiencies.

R/V Marcus G. Langseth at pier in Savannah, Georgia. Credit: Cody Bahlau, Science Officer, R/V Marcus G. Langseth

At the pier in Savannah, GA, the R/V Marcus G. Langseth was making final preparations for Expedition MGL 2501/2502, a 3,200-nautical-mile transit across the Atlantic Ocean to the Cape Verde Islands to unlock more of the ocean's hidden secrets! 🌊📡. Learn more: www.instagram.com/p/DHEf60-ThOL