Last updated May 25, 2024
I’m aggregating here a number of open and closed systems for working with CO2 and other pollutant data. I’ve noticed several crowdsourced data maps popping up, so if you’re thinking about making your own connected sensors, consider plugging into one (or more) of these existing networks.
Data sources:
- Climate TRACE: Independent greenhouse gas emissions tracking. Explore the map and download data
Hardware and maps:
- PurpleAir: Crowdsourced air quality data map. Buy a hardware unit to measure “real-time PM2.5 concentrations for residential, commercial, or industrial use” (including inside or outside), with design-y options, for about $200-300. There’s an API and a free, open-source data download tool, but I don’t believe the HW itself is open source.
- PM2.5 = particulate matter, typically at 2.5 microns or smaller, used to measure pollution
- Ribbit Network: Open greenhouse gas emissions map & monitoring network, with open-source hardware, aimed at education. “We invite students, teachers, makers, corporations, and scientists to build and deploy open-source sensors that contribute to a global climate observation network.” Kits run about $200, with a cute frog theme, and measure CO2 with a laser sensor.
- co2.click: Portable CO2 sensor designed for public health, with a public map. Multiple versions, including one for exterior monitoring – with temperature/pressure/humidity sensors and/or an optional solar power kit, plus others with optional mounting brackets. Various sensor types. New hardware ranges from $100-500 CAD.
- Studio LUFF air quality sensor: a “beautiful home object” and open-source, Arduino-based air quality monitor with a laser sensor (Plantower PMS7003). Data are stored locally and can be viewed via a customizable dashboard website served on your home network. $55 and up (via the Kickstarter).
Related:
- Show Your Stripes: Generate a visualization of temperature over the past 100+ years for a given country, region, or city – with each colored stripe representing a year. The graphics have a CC-BY4.0 license, so can be used for any purpose as long as credit is given to Professor Ed Hawkins (University of Reading) and a link is provided to the website.