Small Actions, Big Impact: Citizens' Air Pollution Fight

Air pollution is a serious problem, but it's one that can be solved. While much of it is caused by industry, there are still many things that individuals can do to make a difference to air quality. Citizens can help reduce air pollution by driving less, using public transportation, biking, or walking whenever possible. Carpooling is also a great way to reduce traffic-based air pollution and congestion. When using a car, keep the engine tuned and the tires properly inflated to decrease fuel consumption. Citizens can also take steps to minimize their exposure to air pollution by monitoring air quality warnings and taking action on poor air quality days.

Opt for walking, cycling, carpooling, or public transport instead of driving alone

Walking, cycling, carpooling, and taking public transportation are all excellent ways to reduce air pollution. These methods of travel can significantly reduce traffic congestion and, consequently, traffic-based air pollution.

Walking

Walking is a simple and effective way to reduce air pollution. By choosing to walk instead of driving, you eliminate vehicle emissions from your journey and contribute to lessening air pollution. Walking is especially beneficial for shorter trips, such as walking to a local shop or walking your children to school. It is a healthy and environmentally friendly option that can also improve your physical and mental well-being.

Cycling

Cycling is another excellent alternative to driving alone. Bicycles produce zero emissions, making them an environmentally friendly mode of transportation. Cycling not only reduces air pollution but also helps to improve your health and fitness levels. To encourage the use of bicycles, many cities are developing dedicated bicycle lanes and infrastructure, making it safer and more convenient for cyclists to navigate through urban areas.

Carpooling

Carpooling is a system where multiple people share a car for their daily commute or travel. This method reduces the number of cars on the road, thereby decreasing traffic congestion and air pollution. Carpooling can be organized with friends, colleagues, or family members, or through car-sharing schemes and services. By having more passengers per car, carpooling also makes travel more affordable for individuals.

Public Transport

Public transportation, including buses, trains, and metros, is an efficient way to reduce air pollution. These modes of transport can carry a large number of passengers, reducing the need for multiple cars on the road. Public transport is also more affordable than driving alone and often provides a more comfortable and less stressful commute. Additionally, investing in and utilizing public transportation is a commitment to supporting environmentally friendly practices and improving air quality.

By opting for walking, cycling, carpooling, or public transportation, you can play a significant role in reducing air pollution. These choices not only benefit the environment but also have positive impacts on your health, well-being, and finances.

Reduce the number of trips you take in your car by combining errands

Citizens can play a crucial role in reducing air pollution and improving air quality. One effective way to achieve this is by reducing the number of trips taken in personal cars and instead combining errands. Here are some instructive and detailed guidelines to help make this transition more manageable and beneficial:

Plan and Combine Trips: Before heading out, plan your trips to accomplish multiple tasks in one journey. For example, if you need to go grocery shopping and visit the bank, plan your route to include both destinations efficiently. Combining errands will reduce the number of individual trips you make, decreasing your carbon footprint and saving you time and money.

Carpooling and Ride-Sharing: Opt for carpooling with friends, colleagues, or family whenever possible. Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft also provide carpool options, allowing you to share rides and costs with others travelling along similar routes. This reduces the number of cars on the road and lessens traffic congestion.

Use Public Transportation: Utilize public transportation options such as buses, trains, subways, or trams. These modes of transport serve multiple passengers, reducing the overall number of vehicles on the road. Public transportation is also more affordable than driving a car and helps you avoid the stress of driving in heavy traffic.

Walk or Bike for Shorter Distances: For shorter distances, consider walking or biking to your destination. These modes of transportation are environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and provide health benefits. Walking is an excellent way to lower blood pressure and increase bone mass, while biking helps improve cardiovascular health and reduces the risk of heart disease.

Choose Energy-Efficient Vehicles: If purchasing a car is necessary, consider investing in electric or hybrid vehicles. These cars produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than traditional petrol or diesel cars, contributing to a cleaner environment. Electric vehicles are also more cost-effective in the long run due to lower fuel and maintenance costs.

By implementing these guidelines and reducing the number of trips taken in personal cars, citizens can play a significant role in combating air pollution and creating a healthier and more sustainable future for themselves and generations to come.

Avoid idling your car engine

Idling car engines contribute significantly to air pollution. An idling car releases as much pollution as a car in motion, and in the US, millions of cars idle needlessly, sometimes for hours. Turning off your car engine instead of idling is a simple yet powerful way to improve air quality and protect the environment.

Firstly, idling cars emit hazardous pollutants that are detrimental to human health. These pollutants include asthma, heart disease, chronic bronchitis, and cancer-causing agents. By turning off your engine, you can help reduce the levels of these harmful substances in the air you and your community breathe.

Secondly, idling engines produce carbon dioxide, a primary driver of global warming. For every 10 minutes your engine is turned off, you prevent one pound of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere. This is a significant reduction, considering that idling cars and trucks in New York City alone produce 130,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually.

Thirdly, idling your car engine is costly and wasteful. An idling car burns up to 7/10 of a gallon of fuel per hour, which, at average US fuel prices, can cost around $3 per hour. In contrast, restarting your car after turning it off for more than 10 seconds does not burn more fuel and is, in fact, more fuel-efficient.

Finally, idling is unnecessary for modern electronic engines. Today's cars do not require warming up, even in cold weather. The best way to warm up your engine is to start driving; the engine will warm up twice as fast, and you will avoid breathing in the toxic exhaust that leaks into the car cabin when idling.

In conclusion, avoiding idling your car engine is a simple and effective way to reduce air pollution. It improves air quality by reducing hazardous pollutants, helps fight global warming by lowering carbon dioxide emissions, saves you money on fuel, and is healthier for both you and your engine. So, next time you're tempted to idle, remember that turning off your engine is a small action that makes a big difference.

Switch to electric or hand-powered lawn equipment

Gas-powered lawn equipment, such as leaf blowers, lawnmowers, and snow blowers, often lack pollution control devices. In fact, a typical lawnmower can produce nearly the same amount of pollution as a 100-mile car trip. This is because small off-road engines (SOREs), which power most lawn equipment, release large quantities of air pollution. Unlike vehicle engines, the emissions produced by SOREs are relatively unregulated, and they release one-third of the gas and oil that goes into the engine as an aerosolized exhaust mixture.

To reduce air pollution, citizens can switch to electric or hand-powered lawn equipment. Electric landscaping equipment is more affordable than ever, thanks to advancements in battery technology. While electric mowers tend to be more expensive upfront, over a typical 10-year lifespan, the cost will level out due to reduced fuel and maintenance expenses. Electric mowers are also lower maintenance, easier to store, and do not have a cord. They produce no emissions, which is especially beneficial in urban areas.

For those with smaller yards, hand-powered yard tools are a viable option. These tools are cheaper and easier to maintain than their gas-powered counterparts, and they do not produce any emissions.

In addition to switching to electric or hand-powered lawn equipment, citizens can also reduce the grass cover of their yards by replacing it with native plant beds or low-maintenance ground cover. This can substantially reduce the effort and pollution associated with lawn care.

Conserve energy at home and work

Conserving energy at home and work is one of the most effective ways to reduce air pollution. Here are some detailed and direct instructions to help you get started:

At Home:

• Turn down your thermostat: Keep your home heated to 68°F (20°C) during the day and 60°F (15.5°C) at night. Use extra blankets and sweaters instead of turning up the heat. In the summer, dress lightly and use fans to reduce air conditioning costs and energy usage.
• Lower your water temperature: Set your water heater to 120°F (48.9°C). This will cut your water heating costs by 6-10%.
• Purchase energy-efficient products: Look for the Energy Star label when buying appliances, electronics, and office equipment. Energy Star-certified products can reduce your energy bill by up to 30% and your electric lighting charges by 40% while cutting pollution.
• Insulate your house: Ensure your home is well-insulated, and if using heating or cooling, keep windows and doors closed. Use weatherstrip tape to block gaps, install door sweeps, and use blinds or curtains to reduce heat transfer.
• Insulate pipes and fixtures: Insulate your hot water heater and heating and cooling pipes. An insulation blanket for your water heater will reduce heat loss and pay for itself in a year or less.
• Replace your showerhead: Install a low-flow showerhead to reduce water consumption and the energy required to heat the water.
• Turn off appliances and equipment: Turn off appliances, lights, and electronics when not in use. Unplug appliances when they are fully charged or not in use to prevent vampire power drain.
• Use energy-efficient lighting: Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs, such as compact fluorescent (CFL) or LED lights. These use significantly less energy than incandescent bulbs and last longer.
• Clean or replace filters regularly: Regularly check and clean or replace filters in your furnace, air conditioner, and heat pump. This will improve indoor air quality and help your equipment last longer.
• Increase natural light: Paint your walls with light-coloured paint to reflect more light. Open blinds during the day to utilise natural light instead of turning on electric lights.
• Reduce paper usage: Double-side print, reuse single-sided paper, use electronic documents, and circulate documents electronically to save energy and natural resources.

At Work:

• Encourage energy-efficient practices: Implement energy-saving practices at your workplace. This can include turning off lights and equipment when not in use, using energy-efficient products, and encouraging employees to conserve energy.
• Promote sustainable commuting: Advocate for carpooling, public transportation, biking, or walking to work. These options reduce traffic congestion and air pollution while also saving employees money on fuel and vehicle maintenance.
• Optimise energy usage: Ensure that office equipment, such as computers, printers, and copiers, is energy-efficient. Encourage employees to turn off their computers and other equipment when not in use.
• Green the workplace: Suggest the use of environmentally friendly products, such as non-toxic cleaning supplies and recycled paper products. Encourage proper waste management and recycling practices to reduce pollution.
• Educate and engage employees: Provide education and training on energy conservation practices. Engage employees in sustainability initiatives and encourage them to suggest additional ways to conserve energy and reduce pollution.

Frequently asked questions