Today we’re exactly halfway through smog season. How are we doing so far? Good question.

As you may know, the EPA tightened ozone standards earlier this year. As a result, the Atlanta region was expected to have more violations.

So far during smog season, metro Atlanta has registered 16 ozone violations (2 code red, unhealthy for everyone; 14 code orange, unhealthy for sensitive groups). Last year during the same period, we logged 12 ozone violations (2 code red; 10 code orange).

If the standard had not changed, eight of this year’s violations would not have been recorded. So while we have more violations than last year, you could say that we’re having a better year. But the bottom line is that standards changed for a very good reason: to better protect human health. From that perspective, even one violation is one too many.

If you are changing your commuting habits to be more “green,” (or even to save money), rest assured that your hard work is making a difference. Each day in metro Atlanta, your relationship with The Clean Air Campaign is helping to eliminate 1.2 million vehicle miles of travel and keep 600 tons of pollution out of the air. But commuters in the region can do more.

Besides ditching your solo driving habits, there are other simple actions you can take to protect your health:

1. Sign up to receive Smog Alerts.
2. Learn how to protect yourself and your family from the negative health effects of bad air.
3. Encourage others to do the same.

The hottest days of summer are still ahead of us, so please share any tips you have for reducing pollution on Smog Alert days.

And so you know we’re not alone in this fight, take a look at the new Olympic stadium in Beijing. The Christian Science Monitor reports that one reading of particle pollution at the stadium was seven times the World Health Organization’s recommended levels. Being part of the solution is more important than ever in our world. But, without question, being part of the solution must start with us taking action here in Georgia.