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 air:         

.recipes for action 

This cookbook is a collection of ideas, recipes for action. The recipes posted here are provocations, prompts, calls for action. There are suggestions, tutorials, guides. There is a lot of information that can help people make informed decisions that can impact on their lives and our planet.

breadcrumbs in the air

measuring pollution on a bread walk



We have been trying to figure out the relationship between us humans and air. As a result, we came upon an experiment of walking and observing air quality. The purpose of the walk is to buy bread, but the real purpose is recording air properties, find signs of pollution, and observe how different air quality affects the body function.


Breadcrumbs in the air is the perfect metaphor for the particles that contribute to air pollutions, and our job is to trace them, to become aware of them. This is the purpose of our experiment.


In detail, during the walk we tried to use our body as a sensor, to record information through our 6 senses: Smell, sound, visual, touch, taste, feeling. First, we tried to visually identify signs of pollution, through looking at the sky, the dirt along objects, vegetation on the street.


Then we pay attention to sounds of construction, as well as vehicles. We listened to uncomfortable odours, as well as humidity, texture within the air we breathe. Is it smooth or grainy, dry or humid, hot or cold. We then move our attention to how all the senses information make us feel in our body? Any tension, coughing, shortened breathing. This will help us establish a connection to the air we breathe and ultimately become more aware. This exercise is for everyone to experiment, and hopefully to change someone’s perspective about the surrounding invisible air. And perhaps to trace the breadcrumbs back to clean air.


recipe for action


instructions for planetary action

  1. Take a photo every 10 breaths or every 100m.

  2. Take photos in landscape mode at eye level.

  3. Screen shot for air quality index before and after walk using AIR VISUALS app (QR LINK).

  4. Follow the checklist while walking.

  5. This walk is one way, from home to the bread location.

checklist while on the walk

  • Record any odours or smells that are unusual or unpleasant during your walk. Pay attention to changes in smell, taste, or texture of the air.

  • Check the weather. Temperature and humidity level may affect the behaviour of pollution.

  • Record breathing rate & heart rate.

  • Look for signs of asthma or other respiratory distress like coughing, sneezing, eye irritation or headache during or after the walk, as this could be a symptom of air pollution.

  • Count the number of people wearing masks during the walk, as it could indicate that air pollution is a concern in the area.

  • Take note of any traffic congestion or idling vehicles along your route.


By Do Manh Duy, Bui Hoang Ngoc Nhi, Morell Nimer-Gonzales, Sami Piercy, Sazanias Asrat, Xueying Han, Michael Herczaniwski.


 

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