Exploring cultural barriers to clean energy practices
11 April 2019
CAR researchers have held a stakeholders’ meeting in the Solomon Islands to officially start a project looking to understand cultural barriers to moving to clean energy practices in the region.
The meeting in Honiara was followed by a visit to a rural community, where researchers trialled the new, modified version of the KOALA (Knowing Our Ambient Local Air-quality) air monitor. They also learnt about cooking practices and the community’s views about air pollution and health.
During the visit, the team installed two air quality monitors in Honiara. These were the first monitors in the Solomon Islands and add to the list of those operating remotely in the Oceanic region, including in Australia.
The work follows pilot work in Fiji, which last year started to assess children’s exposure to air pollution in the region, its drivers, the burden of disease, and how a transition to clean energy would mitigate the effects.
Above: Project lead Professor Lidia Morawska of QUT (centre, front) with stakeholders.
Below: Dr Tom Cole-Hunter installs an air quality monitor at Honiara airport with Solomon Islands Ministry of Health representative Mr Jimmy Hilly, and, below left: a KOALA reading next to a fire.
