Sustainable Fresh Air Initiative

If this project receives a grant, all relevant organizations, schools, professionals, government personnel and specialists associated with Nalut Mountain and Tripoli will pull together to make it a success.

Focusing on Nalut, Libya, traffic emissions have increased while greenery has not. Residents and visitors are inhaling the consequences 24/7. Those with dust allergies are worse off, and those who travel and return go through a period of adaptation to the air pollution. When residents visit areas with trees and grass, they can take a deep breath of fresh air. Fresh air should be a right for everyone everywhere. 

Why not start by lining a mountainside of Nalut with trees and grass? A small dam would capture the usual mountain runoff, and energy through a wind turbine and solar energy would power the irrigation (which is essential, as it doesn't rain often in Nalut and there is a rough drought approximately every 5 years).

I am beginning the focus of this project on Nalut Mountain, Libya. They are underserved in the way that they are the largest population of Berber residents in Libya and fairly independent due to their tribal unity. The government does not prioritize environmental solutions at this time due to the continued recovery from the 2011 Revolution. We visited Nalut after several years abroad and it was a rough transition to adapt to the air pollution. Residents are aware of the air pollution throughout Libya, and in general it is well-known. Nalut has fantastic potential due to the recent efforts to direct runoff along the main road leading up the mountain. Additionally, Nalut's climate is primarily dry and dusty; they would benefit immensely from this project. After witnessing the project bloom, other communities would want to follow suit and prioritize it in their town's budgeting. Community by community, we can inspire sustainable changes for fresh air.

As residents of Nalut, my husband works closely with community & governmental leaders. He was able to verify that if this project receives a grant, all relevant organizations, schools, professionals, government personnel and specialists associated with Nalut Mountain and Tripoli will pull together to make it a success.

It's fairly straightforward as the components of this project have been done repeatedly in the USA, the combination just needs to be brought to Nalut Mountain and implemented.

We could use guidance from experts in every aspect & financial support.

It's much more than just putting a storage dam where one is needed to conserve rainwater in an area prone to drought. It's more than just planting trees to combat air pollution. Energy can be harnessed through wind + solar power to make the supplied irrigation system sustainably independent. There is plenty of wind & sun in Libya (especially Nalut) for sustainable energy solutions, and there is an overdose of air pollution & dust in need of relief in Libya. The project, if done right, would quickly impact communities across Libya.

Science easily supports our target outcomes. The benefits of storage dams, trees/greenery as well as solar/wind power is generally well-known. Libya is simply behind in environmental actions. I'd like us to be able to impact Libya's environmental progress.

If we had accessibility to gas analyzers and sensors, I'd start by measuring the air pollution on Nalut Mountain at and around the designated area to be planted. For now: Real people.100% of the uncountable Libyan residents I and Radwan Alkarrash questioned over time believe that 1. The air pollution makes them tired, 2. More storage dams & trees would benefit Libya, and 3. They want solar + wind energy to become more common & affordable especially with the frequent unpredictable power outages.

Gas analyzers and sensors, solar panels, wind turbine, irrigation system, relevant components. Many of these may not be new to the world but is new to Libya. A more specific list of products and technology can be determined upon meetings with relevant collaborators. Collaborators would be enthusiastic about meeting, answering questions and collecting information if they are ensured it's toward a solid purpose. In other words, if MIT Solve confirms interest in this project, we will be able to set up meetings promptly.

Khadija Barker, Radwan Alkarrash, other collaborators as needed.

Brainstorming and interviewing since September 2022

Khadija Barker: US citizen, US & Libyan resident, science work/study background

Radwan Alkarrash: Libyan & US citizen & resident, Berber & Arabic native fluency, English fluency, strong in Libyan affairs

Electricity and water supplied by the government would be consumed less, as the dam storage and solar / wind energy would provide more. 

The mayor of Nalut, Abdulwehab Alhajam, confirmed that the city government is interested in funding the maintenance of this project (after it has been constructed) as it benefits the well-being of their hometown and families directly.