West Berkeley, located west of San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley, California, is a diverse neighborhood with deep Indigenous roots and a long history as an industrial hub. While gentrification has brought higher incomes and educational attainment, pockets of poverty and long-standing communities of color remain.

The district has teamed up with Aclima and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to launch a community air monitoring project guiding future actions as a part of SMMI. Using Aclima’s advanced sensors, the project collects detailed, block-by-block data on air quality throughout the community. This provides residents with clear information about local pollution and helps guide actions to improve air quality, focusing on the areas and people most affected.

West Berkeley falls under the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) and continues to face significant pollution concerns. These factors contribute to some of the worst air quality readings in the Bay Area and high rates of asthma hospitalizations. Community groups and residents have a long history of organizing for cleaner air, and ongoing efforts focus on monitoring pollution and advocating for environmental justice.

In April of 2025, residents and stakeholders gathered to discuss these ongoing air quality concerns and work toward healthier, more equitable neighborhoods