Who we are

Independent. Evidence-first. Unafraid of detail.

Climate Sentinel Foundation is a non-profit research institute built on a simple conviction: the environmental crisis will be solved by people who measure carefully, publish openly, and act on what the data actually says.

Our story

Born from a gap between data and action.

The world has never had more environmental data. Satellites photograph every forest daily; sensors log the air of a thousand cities; the Keeling curve has climbed in public view for almost seventy years. And yet, in the places where heat, water stress, and polluted air hit hardest, decisions are still made on instinct, anecdote, and outdated maps.

Climate Sentinel Foundation was founded to close that gap. We began where the gap is widest — in the fast-growing cities of the Global South — building evidence rigorous enough for journals and useful enough for city councils.

We stay small, open, and independent on purpose. No paywalled findings. No sponsored conclusions. Just careful measurement, honest analysis, and the patience to see research through to policy.

"The planet doesn't need more opinions. It needs more measurements — and people stubborn enough to act on them."

Founding note · Climate Sentinel Foundation, 2025

"Research. Protect. Restore. Sustain."

Our motto · in that order, deliberately

Mission

To turn open environmental data into rigorous research, practical tools, and policy action — in the places climate change hits first and hardest.

Vision

A world where every city, watershed, and community can see its environment clearly — and where seeing clearly leads to acting decisively.

Values

Rigor before reach. Openness by default. Local partnership over parachute science. And independence — financial and intellectual — always.

How we operate

Four principles we won't trade.

Open science, end to end

Data, code, methods, and findings are published openly. If a result can't be checked, it shouldn't be trusted — including ours.

Calibration is non-negotiable

Every sensor we deploy is co-located against reference instruments, with R², RMSE, and bias reported. Cheap tools, never cheap standards.

Global South first

The research gap is largest where vulnerability is highest. We build local capacity and co-author with local institutions, not over them.

Research that ships

Every study is scoped with a policy customer in mind — a municipal body, a programme, a community — so findings land somewhere real.

People

A small team with a long lever.

We keep the core team lean and extend through fellows, interns, and institutional partners.

Praful

Director – Research, Policy & Environmental Innovation

Achal

Director – Social Impact & Community Engagement

Megha

Director – Programs, Events & Administration

Shraddha

Executive Director – Climate Strategy & Sustainability

Advisors

Nayan

Research & Strategic Advisor

Jyotirao

Research & Strategic Advisor

CSF

Leadership

Direction & Strategy

Sets research direction, partnerships, and the foundation's open-data strategy across all programs.

Research Team

Analysts & Field Interns

Runs data analysis, sensor deployment, and field validation across our studies — the engine room of the foundation.

Advisory Network

Scientific & Policy Advisors

Independent researchers and practitioners who review study designs and connect findings to policy processes.

Fellows

Climate Sentinel Fellowship

Early-career researchers across four tracks, building field-defining research with mentorship and funding.

Partners

Institutions & Schools

Reference-station hosts, school networks for citizen science, and data providers — the partnerships that ground our work.

Don't see your fit?

We're growing carefully — researchers, communicators, volunteers, and supporters are all welcome.

Transparency

Who we are, on the record.

We publish our legal status, tax registrations and reports openly — the same standard of proof we hold our research to.

Legal status

Section 8 non-profit

Registered under the Companies Act, 2013 in India. incorporation number U88900ME2026NPL475494.

Tax registrations

80G · 12A

80G: [number] · 12A: [number]. Donations are eligible for tax benefit. (FCRA: not yet — domestic giving only.)

Reports & accounts

Open by default

Download our activity report;

2025

Foundation established

Climate Sentinel Foundation is founded with a mandate for open, policy-relevant environmental research.

2026 · Now

Field & calibration phase

Satellite archives in analysis; sensors in reference co-location; first community programmes launching in Nagpur.

Late 2026

First open dashboards

Nagpur Lakes Watch and bird-census data begin publishing to the Resources hub.

2027

First peer-reviewed outputs

Target submission of both flagship studies, and a replication guide for other cities.

Contact

Talk to us.

Whether you're a researcher with a question about our methods, a school that wants to join the citizen-science network, a journalist on deadline, or a funder who shares our conviction — we read everything.

General

climatesentinelorg@gmail.com

Within 2 working daysOur typical response time to enquiries.

One inbox, every topicResearch, fellowship, partnerships & press all reach us here.

Your details stay privateWe never share your information with third parties.

Send a message

We typically reply within two working days.

Donation Section

Support our mission

The planet doesn't need promises. It needs proof.

We're an independent non-profit funded by people and institutions who believe in evidence-led environmental action. Every rupee funds research, calibration and fellowships.

Donations are eligible for tax benefit under Section 80G

Donate now → Other ways to give

Currently accepting donations from within India (UPI, cards, net-banking). International giving will open once FCRA registration is in place.

₹500

A day of calibrated air-quality monitoring at one Nagpur site

₹2,500

A noise & annoyance survey of one neighbourhood

₹10,000

A month of a research fellow's field stipend

₹50,000+

A reference-grade acoustic calibrator, so our data stands up to peer review