Brian Barton
New York City's air quality has improved in recent decades, but air pollution remains a pressing issue. Ozone and PM2.5 pollutants cause around 400 premature deaths annually, with thousands more seeking emergency treatment for asthma, heart, and lung problems. As a highly populated city with dense traffic and industrial emissions, New York faces unique challenges in combating pollution. However, various initiatives and strategies are being implemented to address this issue. From government-led congestion fees and renewable energy goals to citizen-driven efforts to reduce energy consumption and choose cleaner commutes, New Yorkers are actively working towards beating NYC pollution.
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What You'll Learn
Reduce energy use at home and work
To reduce energy use at home, you can make some simple changes to your daily routine. Firstly, be mindful of your heating and cooling systems. In the summer, close curtains during the hottest part of the day and open them at night to let the warm air out. In the winter, open curtains during the day to let sunlight in and close them before it gets dark. You should also set your thermostat to between 18 and 20 degrees in the winter and 26 degrees or above in the summer. Additionally, only use your dishwasher and washing machine when it's cooler outside, and avoid using the oven in the hottest part of the day. Try to use lids on pots when cooking and only fill the kettle with the amount of water you need. Remember to turn off appliances at the wall when they're not in use, and unplug devices that are fully charged, such as your phone charger.
There are also ways to reduce your energy use at work. Educate your colleagues about energy efficiency and encourage them to turn off lights and unplug devices when they're not in use. You can also use power strips to make it easier to turn off multiple devices at once. If you're an employer, consider providing energy-efficient devices, such as laptops instead of desktop computers, and LED light bulbs, which use 75% less energy. You can also enable energy-efficient features on work computers, such as sleep mode controls, and create rules for shutting down devices in the evenings and on weekends.
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Cut down on car use
New York City's air quality has improved in recent decades, but two air pollutants, ozone and PM2.5, still cause about 2,400 deaths per year in NYC and thousands of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for asthma, heart and lung problems. Ground-level ozone is a major component of smog, which can trigger coughing and throat irritation and lead to other serious respiratory problems. It is formed by the interaction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from factories and fossil fuel-powered vehicles.
To cut down on car usage, New Yorkers can opt for cleaner commutes by riding the subway or bus, or biking and walking to get around. The city has also introduced a congestion fee to discourage the use of motor vehicles, with the plan to use this money to improve and maintain the public transport network. Starting in 2024, drivers in New York City will pay a fee for being on the road at the busiest times of the day, which will help take cars off the road and reduce traffic and emissions.
Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed a plan to ban fossil fuel automobiles by 2035 and make the city EV-friendly. New York has also been experiencing a steady rise in cycling, and the NYPD, the Department of Transportation, and other institutions have collaborated to improve infrastructure, educate people, and introduce laws to keep cyclists safe.
In addition to choosing more sustainable modes of transportation, New Yorkers can also support city initiatives to reduce pollution and promote energy conservation. The state has set a goal to make 50% of its energy renewable by 2030, and NYC passed a law in 2021 banning natural gas hookups in new buildings. A bill introduced in 2023 would make the same change statewide, pushing for a healthier, all-electric future.
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Ban fossil fuels
New York City has made significant strides in improving its air quality in recent decades, but it still faces major challenges. The city has a history of poor air quality, with pollution from various sources causing "killer smog" incidents in 1953 and 1966, resulting in an estimated 400 deaths.
To address this issue, New York City has taken several measures, including implementing the Climate Mobilization Act, which caps greenhouse gas emissions from existing large buildings. In addition, Mayor de Blasio signed a landmark bill into law, banning the combustion of fossil fuels in new buildings. This law will help accelerate the city's transition to clean energy and reduce its use of fossil fuels, which are a major source of air pollution.
The ban on fossil fuels in new construction, set to be implemented in phases starting in 2026, is a critical step in reducing emissions from homes and businesses. It will require all-electric heating and cooking in new buildings shorter than seven stories by 2026 and in taller buildings by 2029. This legislation is expected to prevent 2.1 million tons of carbon emissions by 2040, equivalent to taking 450,000 cars off the road for a year.
By prioritizing the health of its citizens and addressing environmental justice, New York City is leading the way toward building decarbonization and a greener future. This ban on fossil fuels in new buildings is a significant step in the city's efforts to tackle the climate crisis and improve air quality for all its residents.
In conclusion, banning fossil fuels in new construction is a crucial step in New York City's fight against pollution. This measure will not only reduce carbon emissions and promote clean energy but also ensure better air quality and health outcomes for its residents, especially in low-income communities and communities of color that are disproportionately affected by air pollution.
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Improve public transport
New York City's air quality has improved in recent decades, but two air pollutants, ozone and PM2.5, cause about 2,400 deaths per year in NYC and thousands of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for asthma and heart and lung problems. The transportation sector is the dominant contributor to emissions in the city, and vehicles are a leading source of ground-level ozone pollution.
To improve public transport and reduce pollution from vehicles, New York City has introduced a congestion fee, which aims to discourage the use of motor vehicles. The plan is to use the revenue generated from this fee to improve and maintain the public transport network. Governor Kathy Hochul has also proposed a plan to ban fossil fuel automobiles by 2035 and make the city EV-friendly. This will reduce emissions from vehicles and improve air quality.
In addition to these initiatives, the city has also passed a law banning natural gas hookups in new buildings, promoting the use of renewable energy sources. The state has set a goal to make 50% of its energy renewable by 2030.
The city can also invest in improving the infrastructure for cyclists and introducing more laws to make cycling safer. Cycling is a cleaner mode of transport and can help reduce pollution from vehicles.
Another way to improve public transport is to increase the frequency of buses and subways, making them a more attractive option for commuters. The city can also work on making public transport more accessible and affordable for all residents, especially those in disadvantaged communities.
By implementing these measures, New York City can improve its public transport network and reduce pollution from vehicles, contributing to cleaner air and improved health outcomes for its residents.
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Monitor air quality
New York City's air quality has improved in recent decades, but two air pollutants, ozone and PM2.5, still cause about 400 premature deaths per year in NYC, as well as thousands of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for asthma, heart and lung problems.
To monitor air quality, New York has a number of initiatives in place. The New York City Community Air Survey (NYCCAS) has been conducting an urban air monitoring programme since 2008, providing useful information for the rollout of the OneNYC plan. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) also has a monitoring network that uses high-quality, professionally calibrated monitoring equipment and quality control processes to produce reliable and repeatable data across almost 100 pollutants over several decades. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) operates the largest urban air monitoring program in the United States, in close collaboration with Queens College of the City University of New York (CUNY).
The New York City Air Quality Map is an interactive online tool that provides up-to-date, accessible information on air quality in various areas of the city. It is managed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) and other environmental agencies. The map features a graphical interface, is colour-coded according to the Air Quality Index (AQI), and provides historical data, predictions, and health advice and warnings, mainly for vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.
Citizens can also be notified via a digital platform when incidents of air pollution and bad odours are detected, so that local authorities can take the appropriate measures in time. AirNow is another platform that provides daily updates and can send alerts by email, text, or mobile app.
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Frequently asked questions
Stay informed about the air quality by using the New York City Air Quality Map, which provides up-to-date information on air quality in various areas of the city. You can also sign up for air quality alerts from Notify NYC and check daily updates on AirNow. Limit the time you spend outside when air quality is poor.
Reduce your energy use at home and at work. Set your air conditioner thermostat to 78 degrees or low cool in the summer, and lower your heat thermostat in the winter. Choose a cleaner commute—ride the subway or bus, or bike and walk to get around. Support city initiatives to reduce pollution and promote energy conservation.
The government has introduced a congestion fee to discourage the use of motor vehicles, with the plan to also use this money to improve and maintain the public transport network. Governor Kathy Hochul has also proposed a plan to ban fossil fuel automobiles by 2035. The city passed a law in 2021 that bans natural gas hookups in new buildings, and there is legislation in the works to extend this across the state.
