WALL: Evolution of the Volcanic Environment in Western Rwanda with Climate Change: Impact on Health and Mitigation” (Grant ID: GCRW-CL001) under the Grand Challenges Rwanda: Accelerating Catalyzing Solutions for Climate Change's Impact on Health call-for-proposals
Today, indicators that climate change will increase the impact of volcanic environments on health are flashing but solid research is still lacking. In this project, we propose to study the dynamics between volcanic emissions into the atmosphere, volcanic soils and landslides and the climate-atmosphere-soil-topography coupling in western Rwanda. Field studies, physics-based modelling and remote sensing will be used. Drawing on climate change models, we will project areas exposed to harmful volcanic pollutants, changes in soil with their impact on the soil-borne disease podoconiosis, and landslide hotspots, which we will all translate into better responses to preserve human health in western Rwanda.