Air Quality Forecaster
I. JOB SUMMARY
Main Topic: Physical Geography
Secondary Topic: Environment and Society
Overview: Air quality forecasters use scientific data, GIS and field studies to combat a worldwide problem: air pollution. While air quality has improved in North America over the past three decades, exposure to airborne pollutants still has a devastating effect on plant, animal and human life and habitats. While jobs vary from area to area, and may be project-specific in their scope, the following tasks are ones that air quality forecast personnel can expect to encounter on the job: Read current research and studies to maintain an understanding of developments in the field; Survey yields of economically important agriculture in relation to ozone levels; Survey air pollution related illnesses; Provide data to economists and policy makers to drive regulations for clean air; Create systems to warn the public when air pollution levels are above specified levels; Determine criteria that may make a certain demographic more vulnerable to airborne pollutants; Conduct fieldwork related to; Ensure that existing emission control programs are implemented correctly; Determine a rubric for 'incidental' or infrequent air pollution events and a process for alerting stakeholders effectively; Work with commercial and private aviation agencies to plan and advise appropriate safety precautions when skies are hazy; Use data to produce 1-3 day ozone forecasts; Draw on climatological trends to determine ozone conditions; Analyze and model statistical methods with linear regression equations to forecast future pollution; Use neural networks to understand and develop algorithms for patterning climate and pollution data; Use 3D modelling to mathematically represent the factors that affect ambient pollution levels.
Geographers at work: Environmental Geographers, Health Geographers, Physical Geographers
Recommended College Courses: Physical Geography, Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing, Environmental Management, Quantitative Methods
Skills: Geographic Information Science, Qualitative Methods, Quantitative Methods, Environmental Mapping and Modeling, Computer Programming, Field Methods, Meteorology, Computer Programming
Occupation Group: Life, Physical, and Social Sciences
Learn more about Air Quality Forecaster from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/mobile/environmental-engineering-technicians.htm
Learn more about Green Careers: https://www.bls.gov/green/greencareers.htm
Written by Christopher Hinojosa
II. POWERFUL GEOGRAPHIC KNOWLEDGE
![Air Quality Forecaster An air quality forecaster analyzes atmospheric data and weather patterns to predict and communicate potential changes in air quality, helping the public and authorities make informed decisions to mitigate health and environmental impacts.](https://powerfulgeography.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Air-Quality-Forecaster.jpg)
![Air Quality Management Air quality management involves implementing strategies, regulations, and measures to monitor, improve, and maintain acceptable levels of pollutants in the atmosphere, safeguarding public health and the environment.](https://powerfulgeography.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Air-Quality-Management.jpg)