Ways To Improve Air Quality: Take The Bus When Possible

Though human powered transportation such as bicycles and walking are the best way to improve air quality while meeting your commuting needs, a close section is taking a bus or other public transportation.

When compared to an average automobile, a bus puts significantly less pollution per person into the air. While the bus may be bigger, with a larger engine, those engines are typically diesel and thus are typically more efficient than their gasoline counterparts. Also, while automobiles usually hold between 2 and 8 passengers, most city buses are capable of holding 20 to 30 people or more. In large cities where bus transportation is widely used, buses are near capacity for much of their routes. This leads to a carbon footprint per person substantially lower than even the most efficient hybrid car.

If you're in a city with other forms of public transportation, these vessels may be even more efficient. Use of subways, for instance, allow hundreds of people to travel on a set rail at once. These subway cars are very efficient because they are optimized for their routes and their available seats give them a much lower cost per passenger than many other forms of transportation.

So the next time you need to go somewhere, consider your impact on the environment and how you can use a more efficient medium. Bus and subway schedules are often posted online and are very affordable, so consider public transit for your next adventure.

Earth Day #39

On April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day was held. People all over the country made promises to help the environment. Everyone got involved and since then, Earth Day has spread all over the planet. People all over the world know that there are problems we need to work on and this is our special day to look at the planet and see what needs changing.
One person had an idea and kept working until everyone began working together to solve it. See what happens when people care about our world?

Think about what you can do for Earth Day this year.
We think Earth Day should be Everyday! We are always thinking of new ways to get people involved in helping the Earth.

Check out some great ideas here!

Earth Day 2009

It's not too early to start thinking about Earth Day on April 22nd.
Get started with planning your Earth Day events at our website:
http://www.awarenessideas.com/

We have Earth Day themed merchandise that is ready to go with our
clever designs and messages-- or we can create your own custom Earth-friendly
message on any product you like!


Fun Earth Day themed posters, games, decals, and more!

New Years Resolutions to Improve Air Quality

Take a deep breathe. No matter where you are right now, be it the cold inner city of Detroit, the warm air of Tampa, the slightly chilly desert of Pheonix or the snow-covered streets of Portland, you are breathing the same air as everyone else on earth. Every breath we take pushes air deep into our bodies, making it possible to live. It, along with water, are our two greatest natural resources. What are you going to do in 2009 to improve air quality?

Here are a few resolutions for 2009 that you can make to improve air quality in your world.

Resolve to Acknowledge and Reduce Your Carbon Footprint. The best thing we can do, as citizens of a cleaner environment, is to know who our carbon footprint is calculated and what we can do to reduce our emissions. Most everything you do has a net loss or gain for your carbon resonance. Consider that everything you eat, every where you travel, everything you do or do not do can either put us one step closer to an environmental apocalypse or can help curb not only our abuse but the abuse of those around us. Educate yourself and take action.

Resolve to ride share and use public transportation when possible. Every car we remove from the road saves tons upon tons of pollution in the air. If you live by a coworker or a fellow student, take turns driving together. Not only are you helping the air quality, but you are also eligible to use carpool lanes to get there faster with less congestion.

Resolve to Telecommute, use flexible hours and otherwise find ways to minimize your commuting time. Many companies now have infrastructure to allow either partial or full telecommunication. Some jobs need face to face communication, but I have been a full time telecommuter for over 3 years and have had much success with it. Not only is my carbon footprint thousands of tons smaller than it would be if I commuted to work but the workspace I've created at home makes me as productive if not more than I was in my corporate office. If you have a job that allows you to telecommute, I highly recommend it! If you can't telecommute, see if you can use flexible time to come in before the morning rush and leave before the nightly commute, or come in late and leave late. Most companies won't look negatively on flexible hours if the work is being completed.

Resolve to bring nature into your space as much as you impede on nature's space. I was never one for plants in your living or working space until I realized that putting even a couple of plants in every work can majorly improve air quality in your home or office. You breathe easier, the level of contaminants in your area is reduced and you have beautiful living plants to brighten up your space.

Resolve to butt out of smoking, especially indoors. I'm a smoker myself. It's one dirty habit I refuse to kick. That said, I make sure I smoke outdoors and dispose of my butts properly. This not only provides for better internal air quality but also reduces waste/ashes/etc. which would have to otherwise be cleaned off everything in your space.

Resolve to clean furnace and air filters regularly. Not only will this improve air quality, but it will lose your energy bills too. Just last summer, I found that replacing my air conditioning filters every month (about $9/month for my 1300 square foot home), my energy bill was going down about $50/month! A clogged filter makes the system work hard, be less effective and could lead to costly repairs. Take 10 minutes to replace your filters every month. It's a win on so many environmental fronts.

Resolve to use safe cleaning products. Many chemicals contain aerosols and harmful chemicals that can not only flood the air with pollutants but can do damage to work surfaces and other materials. Be sure to read labels to understand what chemicals are in your cleaning products and make informed decisions to reduce harmful emissions. I've found that baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, natural soaps and a good sponge or scrubbing pad will do just as good as harsh chemicals in most situations.

There's always more that can be done, but I encourage you to resolve today, the first day of 2009, to make a conscious effort to improve air quality. Your lungs and your world will thank you.

AIR Earth Saver

Dangerous and unhealthy levels of air pollution in many U.S cities are harming the health of residents. Although clear air laws that regulate industrial smokestacks, car engines and other sources of pollution have resulted in cleaner air, major sources of air pollution remain.

To help others promote a healthy planet, I've created this large 3'x2' banner that can be hung in offices, workplaces, or any other public place that might need the environmental inspiration!



To view other clean air products and solutions, please visit:
www.awarenessideas.com

AwarenessIDEAS.com Has a New Look!

Our AwarenessIDEAS.com website just got even better!

With a new layout, brilliant color and new Integrated Solutions category, we've made it even easier for you to find the solutions you need from AwarenessIDEAS.com

Check it out!
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What is an Ozone Action Day and how can I help?

One question we get often at AwarenessIDEAS is what ozone action days are and how, as citizens, we can all help. You can start by understanding what Ozone is and how action days are determined. Here's an article from the Texas Department of Transportation that we feel will help.

What is Ozone?

Ozone is found two places – in our stratosphere (12 to 15 miles above the Earth’s surface), where it prevents harmful ultraviolet radiation from reaching the earth, and at ground-level, where it combines with other elements to produce smog. Stratospheric ozone is sometimes referred to as "good ozone," while ground-level ozone is known as "bad ozone" for its adverse impact on our air quality.

Ozone Action Days

Ozone Action Days are declared on hot, sunny, still days when conditions are most favorable for the accumulation of unhealthy levels of ground-level ozone. Forecasters at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) make their forecasts a day in advance. Ozone Action Days are forecasted for many of Texas’ larger urban areas – Austin, Beaumont-Port Arthur, Corpus Christi, Dallas-Fort Worth (where it's called an "Air Pollution Watch"), El Paso, Houston-Galveston-Brazoria (where it's called an "Ozone Watch"), San Antonio (where it's called an "Air Quality Health Alert") and Tyler-Longview-Marshall.

What are the Effects of Ozone Pollution?

Exposure to high concentrations of ground-level can cause a variety of respiratory (breathing) problems. Ozone pollution aggravates asthma and can cause respiratory infections. Ozone pollution adversely impacts plant life, reducing crop yields and killing trees.

Why is it Important to take "Action" on Ozone Action Days?

Besides the adverse effects of ozone pollution, high levels of ground-level ozone can violate federal air quality standards. Violating these standards can lead to a variety of sanctions. More expensive, reformulated gasoline can be required. Federal highway funds can be withheld, making it more difficult to improve transportation. Emissions inspections can be required for personal vehicles. Cars and trucks can become more expensive because of new emissions equipment.

Ten things you can do on Ozone Action Days

1. Share a ride to work or school.
2. Avoid drive-through lanes.
3. Avoid morning rush-hour traffic.
4. Postpone refueling until after 6 p.m.
5. Walk or ride a bicycle.
6. Don't top off your gas tank when refueling.
7. Combine errands into one trip.
8. Take your lunch to work or school.
9. Keep your vehicle properly tuned to keep exhaust levels low.
10. Postpone using gasoline engines like lawnmowers until after 6 p.m.

You will be asked for:

• the license plate number
• the date
• the time
• and the location where you saw the smoking vehicle.

You do not have to give your name, and the call is free. The TCEQ will then notify the owner that his or her vehicle may be contributing to air pollution by smoking excessively and provide the owner with information about how to improve the vehicle's performance.

Things to check in keeping your car maintained properly are: dirty carburetors, clogged air filters, and worn points and plugs that waste gasoline. These cause increased emissions of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides.

Summertime Ozone Action Days

Ground-level ozone, the main ingredient in smog that can cause damage to your lungs, is a significant health problem in many Midwest cities during the summer months. Several cities have organized Ozone Action Day programs in which citizens, businesses, local, State and Federal governments, and health and environmental organizations are asked to take voluntary actions to help reduce ozone forming emissions on Ozone Action Days. An Ozone Action Day will be called when weather forecasters have predicted that conditions will be conducive to the formation of ozone.

What is Ozone?

The ozone layer, miles above the surface of the earth, protects us from cancer causing solar ultraviolet radiation. But ground level ozone damages our lung tissue. This harmful ozone is formed through a complex chemical reaction involving hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and sunlight on calm summer days. People who live in Milwaukee, Chicago, Gary, and their suburbs are affected by a severe ozone air pollution problem. Several other areas in the Midwest - Detroit, Cincinnati, Toledo, Dayton, Indianapolis, St. Louis, and Louisville - also have a significant ozone problem.

Ozone causes shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and eye and nose irritation. It is especially dangerous to older adults, children, asthmatics and persons with other chronic respiratory ailments. While most people think of industry as the main source for air pollution, the fact is that approximately HALF of the hydrocarbons emitted come from actions of ordinary citizens as we drive our cars, maintain our homes and use a variety of volatile chemicals.

10 Steps You Can Take: On an Ozone Action Day :

-Limit driving. Defer errands or share a ride. For short trips, walk or ride a bike.
-If you drive, avoid excessive idling or jack-rabbit starts.
-Take transit. Ride the bus or train to work, school, or shopping.
-Don't Refuel on an Ozone Action Day. If you must refuel, do so after 7 pm.
-Avoid using gasoline powered equipment, such as outboard motors and off-road vehicles.
-Defer mowing your lawn until late evening or the next day. Also, avoid usingother gasoline- powered garden equipment.
-Postpone using oil-based paints, solvents, or varnishes.
-Use an electric starter or charcoal chimney rather than lighter fluid.
-Defer use of household consumer products that release fumes or evaporateeasily.
-Conserve energy to reduce energy needs from power plants.

If each of us does our part to care for our air,we'll all breathe a little easier.

click for Air Quality Posters

Ways To Improve Air Quality: Go Solar

Of all the renewable resources for creating energy, solar may be the most viable and accessible for home use. Solar panels have come way down in price over the last few years, and solar powered water heaters and energy-generating solar panels help improve air quality in a variety of ways.

As newer and more efficient solar cell types become available, the previous version of the cells get pushed down in price and become an even bigger bargain when you consider how much energy they'll save you over the life of the cells.

Some ways solar cells helps save energy and reduce your carbon footprint include:

• When replacing your water heater with a solar water heater, this removes one of the biggest energy consumers from your power bill. Less energy consumption equals less air pollution.
• Adding solar panels to subsidize your power-plant produced power will also lower your bill and lessen your impact.
• Solar energy can often be sold back to the power company, thus offsetting the cost of your solar investment.

Ways To Improve Air Quality: Insulate Where Possible

Heating and cooling account for 50 to 70% of the energy used in the average American home. Inadequate insulation and air leakage are leading causes of energy waste in most homes.

Insulation:

• saves money and our nation's limited energy resources
• makes your house more comfortable by helping to maintain a uniform temperature throughout the house, and
• makes walls, ceilings, and floors warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

The amount of energy you conserve will depend on several factors: your local climate; the size, shape, and construction of your house; the living habits of your family; the type and efficiency of the heating and cooling systems; and the fuel you use. Once the energy savings have paid for the installation cost, energy conserved is money saved - and saving energy will be even more important as utility rates go up.

Insulation does a lot to improve air quality as well. A well insulated house keeps much of the contamination and airborne debris out of your house. Furthermore, insulating helps keep humidity levels within your house at a comfortable level, making your air conditioner work more efficiently. It's because of this that insulating to the recommended level or greater in your home or commercial building will not only save energy, but minimize pollution that could be contaminating our air supply.