BETHESDA, MD—AirCounts™—a new online tool to help large and medium-sized cities calculate the health benefits and monetary value of air quality improvements—was introduced today by its developer, Abt Associates.
“As cities across the globe begin establishing climate change policies and programs that include improving air quality, they will need to answer questions about which health benefits and corresponding economic value can be realized from those programs,” said Mike Conti, vice president of the Environment & Resources Division of Abt Associates, adding “AirCountsTM can deliver those answers.”
The interactive website— part of Abt’s arsenal of original climate change solution methods and tools—enables users to determine how many premature deaths can be avoided and the associated economic benefits in the largest cities worldwide, including all C40 Cities, as a result of emissions reductions. C40 Cities are a network of the world’s megacities committed to addressing climate change.
Visitors to AirCountsTM can choose any city and see its profile, including its fine particulate matter (PM2.5) level, the city’s population, income per capita and adult mortality rate. They can use the on-line calculator to determine benefits of various levels of emissions reductions.
Conti said AirCountsTM framework can be used to calculate such public health benefits as decreased cardiovascular and respiratory problems, also associated with PM2.5 emissions. In addition, Abt can develop customized analyses for virtually any geographic area and can incorporate time as an analytical dimension.
In addition to AirCountsTM, Abt offers other tools such as CarbonCountsTM – a system for reporting and verifying progress in climate change initiatives—to help governments track and manage their climate change projects. Currently, Abt is assisting governments in more than 10 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and working with the U.S. to identify and implement solutions ranging from adaptation and mitigation—including clean energy—to sustainable landscape management, low-emission development and economic growth.
About Abt Associates
Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader in research and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges, Abt Associates was ranked as one of the top 20 global research firms in 2012 and also named one of the top 40 international development innovators. The company has multiple offices in the U.S. and program offices in nearly 40 countries.
CONTACT
Sandy Cogan
301-347-5913