Hope you had a terrific Earth Week!  The celebration of environmental conservation, protection and sustainability couldn’t possibly fit into just one solitary day anymore.  And the parade of innovative ways to green the globe has truly gone …well, global.  In fact, when it comes to improving the quality of the air we all breathe, clever ideas are springing up all over the world.  So, to celebrate Earth Week, The Clean Air Campaign scoured the Earth to bring you these success stories from afar:

London: Pollution Glue Traps Fine Particles

With particle pollution emissions creating health challenges, London has found itself in a sticky situation as the city prepares to host the Olympic Games in a few short months.  But engineers have developed a winning solution you won’t believe: applying a special “pollution glue” to road surfaces has helped trap fine particles, preventing them from going airborne.  Studies indicate repeated applications on select thoroughfares have reduced particle pollution by 10% over a 24-hour period.

Credit: Architerials.com

Manila: Smog-Eating Paint Artfully Covers City Walls

Smog in the city of Manila doesn’t stand a chance, thanks to a new idea that could forever alter the meaning of the phrase, “paint the town.”  Artists are painting giant murals on the sides of buildings using a special smog-eating blend of catalytic paint that filters out nitrogen oxides.  The manufacturer claims that coating 11 square feet of a surface with this special paint filters the same amount of air pollution as one full-grown tree.

Credit: BBC

Spain: Building Transit Ridership through e-Book Offers

QR codes are springing up everywhere.  And in one district in Spain, a transit operator has found a creative way to tackle pollution and literacy at the same time.  Train riders in Catalonia can scan QR codes on wall posters hung inside the cars to download the first chapter of select novels onto their mobile devices for some fun diversion on the commute.  Truly a progressive idea.  Imagine having this opportunity on a GRTA Xpress bus or a MARTA line.

Credit: Springwise.com

When it comes to doing the right things for the planet, we’re all in it together.  That makes Earth Week a terrific occasion to think and act green no matter where you are.  Tell The Clean Air Campaign about other unique ideas you’ve found out there to help improve the air we all breathe.  And be sure to mark your calendars next week for Air Quality Awareness Week in Georgia, taking place April 30-May 4.

On this Valentine's Day, and every day, our hearts beat true for less traffic and cleaner air.  So, pucker up and embrace the clean commuting love in this latest edition of Merging Lanes.

Romantic Routes: Georgia Ranks High on Roads with Amorous Names

Who knew?  Just in time for Valentine’s Day, an entertaining report from a maker of GPS devices reveals that some of the most “romantic” roads in the U.S. are found right here in the Peach State.  Georgia boasts 70 miles of roads with amorous names that include phrases like “Darling” or “Rose” or “Heart” in them.  Perhaps just the inspiration you need to fall in love with a commute alternative, like this cute couple.

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Thinking Big for Cleaner Air: Article Suggests Smog Solutions

Great article from National Geographic that describes the causes of air pollution and offers a handful of “big picture” ideas to tackle the problem.  While the intro concentrates on the state of the air in Los Angeles, there are many parallels to the challenges we’re facing in Georgia, from population growth to increasing pressure on the existing transportation network.  Among the many spot-on suggestions?  Increasing public awareness when air quality is unhealthy.  The Clean Air Campaign has you covered with Smog Alerts.  More than 12,000 Georgians are signed up to receive them.  Are you?

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Purchasing Power of a Penny: ATL Transportation Referendum Projections Spell Out Potential Benefits

The Atlanta Regional Commission recently released a raft of projections about the economic and quality of life benefits that the 150+ projects on the docket for Atlanta could yield.  Among the notable forecasts: the total $8 billion list could yield a 4:1 return on investment, and the environmental benefits derived from less vehicle idling in traffic could yield air quality improvements roughly equal to 72,000 fewer tailpipes on the road.  Still puzzling through the data, but it's clear this information will shape the way in which this referendum is presented to voters.

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New Twist on Traffic Fate: Psychic Predicts Your Commute

Stalled out vehicle on the Downtown Connector.  Heavy volume at I-575.  Sunshine slowdown on I-20.  Sometimes, our collective rush hour commuting fate can feel like a roll of the dice.  And more commuters are embracing tools like 511 and Georgia NaviGAtor to help dodge traffic.  But ABC news recently reported on a more … um, celestial … method some folks are using to predict the outcome of their commute.  With tarot cards at the ready, could the traffic psychic have answers about your next trip?

Merge.

National Weatherperson's Day, also known as National Weatherman's Day, is a holiday observed on February 5 primarily in the United States. It recognizes individuals in the fields of meteorology, weather forecasting and broadcast meteorology - including the folks who watch over the quality of the air we breathe - as well as volunteer storm spotters and observers. National Weatherperson's Day is observed on the birthday of John Jeffries, one of the United States' first weather observers who took daily measurements from 1774 to 1816.

At the age of four, I made the decision to become a meteorologist and I have not looked back since. Growing up and seeing our local meteorologist cover severe weather on television was something that just fascinated me.  Still does.  Not only did I enjoy hearing about weather changes and formations, I also enjoyed seeing how meteorologists prepared people for harsh weather.  Now that I am a meteorologist, I take great pride in being able to do the same.

Although I have looked up to many meteorologists over the years, I would say that my biggest role model was James Spann, the chief meteorologist at the ABC affiliate (ABC 33/40) in Birmingham.  He always seemed to pave the way for new technology in the industry.  Plus, he was a unique storyteller and passionate about his job. Witnessing his balance between community involvement, school visits and severe weather coverage provided me with a great model for my own career.

Being a meteorologist provides me quite a few perks, however the biggest perk is being able to go to work each day and not feel like I’m at work.  I’m doing something that I enjoy and have been passionate about for years.  Over the course of my seven year career, I would say that my most memorable experience was my first day on air when I was a senior in college working at the ABC affiliate (WTOK) in Meridian, Mississippi.  Hurricane Ivan made landfall, and our weather team was involved in continuous coverage of the storm for over 12 hours.  It was quite a way to break into the business!

Since that time, I’ve seen firsthand the devastation that severe weather events can place on communities.  Unfortunately, we can only do so much on TV when we cover these situations, so we encourage individuals to take it upon themselves to stay informed, and we strive to ensure that the public is weather-aware.

Our weather team informs our audience on air quality issues by displaying the air quality index when we foresee bad air days.  This allows residents to take action to improve the air and protect themselves.  In Columbus, we deal with air quality issues occasionally, especially during the summer months.  It’s important for us to let people know about air quality concerns outside of our area since many of our residents travel to cities like Birmingham and Atlanta, which often see worse conditions than we do.

Aside from weather-related events, it’s nice to be able promote positive things like school contests, such as The Clean Air Campaign’s Young Lungs at Work Art Competition, which helps educate kids about pollution and how it affects the air we breathe.  By spreading the word in our local community, we can help people understand the importance of turning off engines to idling cars and school buses in pick-up lanes at school.

I'm happy to say that for the first time in awhile I won’t be at work on Weatherperson’s Day this Sunday, so I’ll likely celebrate it by enjoying a day off and watching the Super Bowl. Happy Weatherperson’s Day to all my peers!

Derek Kinkade is the chief meteorologist for 9 ABC/WTVM in Columbus.

National Weatherperson's Day, also known as National Weatherman's Day, is a holiday observed on February 5 primarily in the United States. It recognizes individuals in the fields of meteorology, weather forecasting and broadcast meteorology - including the folks who watch over the quality of the air we breathe - as well as volunteer storm spotters and observers. National Weatherperson's Day is observed on the birthday of John Jeffries, one of the United States' first weather observers who took daily measurements from 1774 to 1816.

My fascination, passion, excitement (and possible obsession) with all things weather began when I was in my mother’s womb. Since I was a youngster, I remember loving the smell of rain, gazing at the different sizes and shapes of clouds and touching and tasting white snow…okay, maybe I am obsessed.  However, I am truly blessed to have been able to turn this lifelong passion into a rewarding career as a meteorologist.

It’s often said that people are most fearful of what they don’t understand.  There was a time in my life when the deep growls of thunder and the sound of a tornado siren would send chills up my spine. But as I grew older, fueled by my passion and curiosity, I delved deeper and deeper into understanding the physical processes of our atmosphere. Though we have a good handle on the principles and properties of our atmosphere, there is still plenty of room for growth and further research to figure out exactly how different elements of our environment marry to create the weather we experience.

Being a meteorologist on television comes with a hefty responsibility. People look to meteorologists for a variety of things, from insight into significant earth science events to accurate forecasting on the day of a big outdoor weekend to, most importantly, guidance during severe weather.

My primary responsibility as a meteorologist on television is to protect the lives and property of my viewers. Before you head out the door and hit the roads, you need to know what kind of weather to expect so you are ready for your commute to and from work. It’s my goal to help you plan and prepare for your day.

Part of that includes distributing Smog Alerts when air quality reaches hazardous levels for groups of people. Thankfully that does not happen too often in my part of the state, and I support our friends at The Clean Air Campaign to keep it that way. They do a great job promoting the use of commute alternatives throughout Georgia so you can enjoy cleaner air and less traffic.

The field of meteorology is continuously evolving. Though I suppose the average person thinks of a meteorologist as the guy on the local news, there are actually many opportunities in weather forecasting outside of television, including both the private and government sectors.

If weather is your passion, pursue it!  The sky is the limit!

Michael Estime is the chief meteorologist for 41 NBC / WMGT-TV in Macon, Ga.

Brace yourselves.  The most anticipated shopping day of the year is almost upon us.  And while the Black Friday experience makes for some good bargains on holiday gifts, it can quickly become a bad deal for traffic and air quality at malls and stores all over Georgia.  That’s because half of the smog-forming emissions in the state come from tailpipes.   

While not a traditionally onerous day for commuters on the major roadways, Black Friday can cause pandemonium in the parking lots and painfully slow traffic heading into and out of shopping centers.  According to the National Retail Federation, up to 152 million people nationwide plan to shop during the 2011 Black Friday weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday).  This makes Black Friday a terrific time to use commute alternatives so you can focus on the doorbusters and discounts. 

After you make your list and check it twice, take advantage of carpooling, riding transit, special mall shuttle service and other options to save you money and time.  For ideas on how you can help The Clean Air Campaign turn Black Friday blue, click here.

As we head deeper into autumn, the landscape is treating us to a spectacular parade of orange, yellow and red hues.  Yes, turn signals and brake lights at rush hour are indeed a sight to behold.  But it’s more fun to wax poetic about the fall leaves.  So, frolic in the foliage and rake in this latest edition of Merging Lanes.

Smog-Eating Concrete

In the future green economy of America, the streets won’t be paved with gold.  They’ll be paved with titanium dioxide.  Demonstrating that innovation knows no boundaries in the shared space between transportation and air quality, engineers in Missouri recently laid down a 1,500-foot strip of asphalt that can break down ground-level ozone pollution.  Mixed into this special blend of concrete is a titanium dioxide additive that creates a photo-catalytic reaction, absorbing smog, using sunlight to break it down, and releasing it as nitrogen and carbon dioxide.  Neat.

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The Morning Ritual That’s Ruining Your Car’s Engine

With the chill of autumn comes those frosty mornings that all commuters must endure.  But there’s one driveway ritual that Georgia commuters should stop practicing because it can ruin a car’s performance.  Warming up the engine in the mornings by allowing it to idle can actually wear down engine parts and create more air pollution.  The practice of unnecessary idling on cold mornings can produce up to six grams of carbon monoxide per minute.  That’s equal to the carbon monoxide content from three packs of cigarettes.  Turns out, it’s also an easy way to get your car stolen.  Simply put, the best way to warm up your engine and create less air pollution on your morning commute is to drive your vehicle instead of idling.

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Where the Germs Are

If you need extra motivation to drive less, look no further.  From the Yuck Department, a new study found that gas pump handles may be among the dirtiest surfaces that we touch.  A team of hygienists conducted tests in six cities – including Atlanta – and determined that gas pump and mailbox handles, escalator rails and ATM buttons were more likely to harbor high concentrations of germs that can lead to illness.  In all, 71% of gas pump handles tested had high contamination levels.  Gross!

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Families Trapped in Vehicles
The headline of a recent article in Time magazine points out the depth of America’s car culture: “We Pay More to Drive Than We Spend on Taxes.”  Citing a new study conducted by a Washington, D.C. think tank, the article describes how difficult it is for the average American family to scale back on driving costs, even in the face of higher energy prices that influence everything from the cost of a gallon of gasoline to a gallon of milk.  Over the past decade, The Clean Air Campaign and its partners have helped more than 85,000 Georgia commuters get relief from the high cost of commuting through a combination of financial incentives and support programs.  We’re ready to help more people make their dollars go further by using commute options.

Merge.

This just in: it’s hot out there.  Through June 4, Metro Atlanta’s blistering heat wave, mixed with pollution from tailpipes, has caused the region to ring up five days in the last week and half where ground-level concentrations were considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”  Children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions are most vulnerable to ground-level ozone exposure, which can inflame airways and lungs, making it tough to breathe.

What’s the antidote to this recent string of Code Orange ground-ozone days?  Certainly some sustained rainfall would help flush out some of the problem.  Cooler, windier conditions could help bring some relief, too.  But the latest weather forecast for the Atlanta region projects the strongest chances of rainfall may not come until after next weekend.  And Mother Nature has a reputation for being a fickle gal.  That’s why it’s up to individual commuters to take charge, to the extent that our choices can move the needle on smoggy conditions.  Half of Atlanta’s ground-level ozone emissions come from tailpipes.  So reduce your contribution to the problem.  Here are a few easy ways to help:

• Commit to carpool, vanpool or ride transit to your job. Ask your boss for permission to telework.  There are loads of services available from The Clean Air Campaign to help make any of these options more possible for you than you might think.  Call 1-877-CLEANAIR or e-mail us and we’ll help you get started.    

• If you have to be out and about in your car, avoid unnecessary idling.  Avoid drive-thru lanes.  Stay out of stop-and-go traffic conditions.  If you need to refuel, do it after dusk.  Be cognizant of the most efficient ways to combine your trips and errands. 

• Brown-bag your lunch so you don't have to leave work in your car to grab a bite.  Avoid the lunchtime scramble on busy roads and save a few bucks at the same time.

• Keep an eye on ground-level ozone and particle pollution forecasts, just like you do with weather forecasts.  Sign up to receive Smog Alerts so you can plan accordingly, tailor outdoor activities and reduce your exposure. 

These small actions can make a difference.  While we keep our fingers crossed for the perfect panacea to break up this sweltering spell and the dirty air it brings, keep in mind that we can all be part of the solution. 

NOTE: Today's print edition of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution includes a front-page story in the Living section about the effects of asthma on Georgia youths.  Dr. Ann-Marie Brooks, a colleague of John Popler at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, is quoted in the article, which notes that the metro Atlanta region has experienced four Code Orange days since the beginning of May, meaning air quality was considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children.

Many people in the United States – an estimated 159 million – live in places that have unhealthy levels of ground-level ozone or air pollution.  Ground-level ozone is created when chemicals from cars, power plants, and factories mix with sunlight. Ozone tends to be higher in sunnier climates and during hot weather. It is a main part of smog, the brownish-yellow haze often seen hanging over cities.

Although ozone levels have declined since 2000, according to the American Lung Association, many people continue to be affected by high ozone levels.  Poor air quality represents a continuing health hazard to both children and adults, especially those with chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma.

Children are especially at risk from unhealthy levels of ozone, as exposure to environmental ozone can irritate the lungs.  This may make children more likely to suffer from asthma and related symptoms, such as cough, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. 
It is always important to keep you and your family healthy. During the warmer months when ozone levels are high and air quality is poor:

•    Don't drive. Share a ride, take public transportation, ride a bike, or walk.
•    Don't put gas in your car until after 7 P.M.
•    Limit use of outboard motors, off-road vehicles, or other gasoline-powered recreational vehicles.
•    Avoid mowing the lawn or using other gasoline-powered gardening equipment when the air quality is poor.

Jonathan Popler, M.D. is a pediatric pulmonologist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Today we are proud to announce the winners of The Clean Air Campaign’s first annual “Young Lungs at Work” art competition.  More than 200 comic strips were submitted by elementary students across Georgia.  We were so impressed by how well students expressed the issues surrounding air quality and traffic and how their individual actions make a difference.  2011 “Young Lungs at Work” entries show kids as educators, as decision makers, and as problem solvers.  Blue skies ahead!

Special thanks to all competitors and congratulations to our winners!  Click on the images to view the full cartoons.

1st Place: Ride the Bus!

Helen Nguyen, Age 9 ½
Rebecca Minor Elementary – Gwinnett County Schools

2nd Place: Of Course! That’s How We Share the Air

RaeAnna Starosciak, Age 11
Liberty Elementary School – Cherokee County Schools

3rd Place:  Going “Green” Instead of Spending “Green”

Neda Mafreshi, Age 11
Addison Elementary – Cobb County Schools

3rd Place:  Three Trips in One

Chirayu Salgarkar, Age 8
Simonton Elementary – Gwinnett County Schools

Honorable Mention:  Young Lungs At Work

Bradley Christy, Age 11
Addison Elementary – Cobb County Schools

Honorable Mention:  Mommy and Me Walking to Publix

Jackson Madden, Age 4
KinderCare – Dunwoody, GA

Several years ago a representative from The Clean Air Campaign came to one of our school nurse meetings to speak about their program.  We were very impressed and I enrolled our school in the Clean Air Schools program. Fast forward years later and we are still a very active in our attempt to raise awareness about the importance of clean air.

 
During this school year, our teachers formed what we call a Green Team. I sent out an email asking them for help with many of our Clean Air Campaign activities and they more than obliged. One of the highlights came in late February when we held a Clean Air Week which included students holding up “No Idling signs” in the carpool lane to remind parents that an idling car can release as much pollution as a moving car.

 
During the week, we also asked our students and teachers to wear yellow shirts as a reminder to ride the bus. Some of our students also read daily facts each morning on our announcements that included pertinent information about ways to help the environment. Perhaps the kids’ favorite part of the week however, was when we distributed stickers as a reminder to “stick to riding the bus”.

 
As we celebrate Air Quality Awareness this week there are a few simple things that parents can do to make a huge difference in the air their children breathe. Two of the easiest are to monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) each day as well as sign up to receive Smog Alerts to know when concentrations of either ground-level ozone or particle pollution are forecasted to reach unhealthy levels. Clean air is becoming something to treasure. Stay healthy and happy!

Celeste Frey, RN is a school nurse at Cumming Elementary