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CLEAN AIR TIPS

Small changes can make a BIG impact. Check out this list of simple changes you can make to help our environment. You really do make a difference!

#MyAirAware

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

  • Tips for Public Transportation

    • Combine errands into 1 trip
    • Walk or bike 
    • Telecommute and teleconference
    • Get traffic updates to avoid jams and delays
    • Share a ride 
    • Carpool 
    • Avoid the drive-thru
    • Take mass transit

PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION

  • Tips for Personal Transportation

    • Have your oil changed 
    • Get fuel after 6PM
    • Get a tune-up
    • Check your tire pressure 
    • Don't top off the tank 
    • Keep air filters clean 
    • Repair all vehicle leaks 
    • Replace gas tank cap tightly 

YOUR HOME

  • Tips for in the Home

    • Use green energy sources 
    • Turn off lights when not in use 
    • Unplug unused appliances 
    • Wait until 6PM to mow 
    • Reduce, recycle, reuse 
    • Use CFLs and LED light bulbs 
    • Don't over-cool or over-heat your home
    • Use "Energy Star" appliances 
    • Avoid using oil-based paints and solvents 
    • Maintain wood stoves and fireplaces
    • Properly insulate your home 
    • Keep gas powered lawn equipment well maintained
    • Seal gas cans and chemical containers tightly
    • Plant native shrubs and trees 
    • Enroll in your utility's energy efficiency plan

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Tips for Miscellaneous Activities

    • Encourage your local officials to improve air quality standards 
    • Spread the word about tips to keep the air clean 
    • Buy items with little or no packaging 
    • Shop by mail 
    • Shop by phone 
    • Shop by internet 
    • Pack a lunch or dine in for your lunch break

AIR QUALITY ACTION DAYS (AQAD)

Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) is a public advisory declared by local environmental or meteorological agencies when ground-level ozone or fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is forecast to reach unhealthy levels. PM2.5 refers to microscopic dust, soot, liquid droplets, and smoke particles that are 2.5 micrometers wide or smaller.

ACTION DAY TIPS:

The following information is from IDEM and AirNow.gov. For more information on action day tips, use the following links.

AirNow.gov IDEM

  • HIGH OZONE DAYS

    • Conserve electricity and set your air conditioner at a high temperature
    • Choose a cleaner commute - share a ride to work or use public transportation. Bike or walk to errands when possible
    • Refuel cars and trucks after dusk
    • Combine errands and reduce trips
    • Limit engine idling
    • Use household, workshop, and garden chemicals in a way that keeps evaporation to a minimum, or try to delay using them when poor air quality is forecast

  • HIGH PARTICLE POLLUTION DAYS

    • Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use
    • Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment
    • Avoid burning leaves, trash, and other materials

MEASURING YOUR IMPACT

An ecological footprint calculator is an assessment tool to help measure how much nature is required to support your specific lifestyle. It estimates your demand on natural resources, such as land for food, forests for timber, and open space to absorb carbon emissions.


Measure the impact of your ecological footprint using the Global Footprint Network's Ecological Footprint Calculator.

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