Leading The Way: Businesses Cutting Pollution

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing the world today, with far-reaching consequences for the environment, communities, and human health. To combat this, many organizations have stepped up to take action and lead the way towards a more sustainable future. These include global nonprofits, such as the Laudato Si' Movement, WWF, 350.org, and Greenpeace, which work to address climate change, protect biodiversity, and advocate for environmental justice. Additionally, local and regional initiatives, like the Clean Air Partnership in Canada and Clean Air in London, focus on improving air quality and holding governments accountable for upholding high standards. These organizations promote sustainable practices, educate communities, and collaborate with various stakeholders to drive meaningful change. Their efforts range from policy advocacy to community action, all aimed at reducing pollution and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

The Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand: promotes public health and well-being by reducing air pollution

The Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand (CASANZ) is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation that promotes public health and well-being by working to reduce air pollution. It was formed in the 1960s by people with a shared interest in clean air and the study of air pollution.

CASANZ has a broad range of activities that promote environmental protection. The society advances knowledge and practical experience in environmental and air quality management, providing lectures, exhibitions, and conferences that expand knowledge of environmental matters, with a particular focus on air quality. CASANZ also offers scholarships, monetary grants, and awards to encourage the study of relevant subjects.

One of the key focuses of CASANZ is the advancement of knowledge and practical experience in environmental and air quality management. They achieve this through various means, such as providing lectures, exhibitions, and conferences, as well as organising special interest groups. These groups cover a range of topics, including atmospheric dispersion modelling, odour measurement and control, indoor air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and risk assessment.

CASANZ also acts as a liaison with organisations in other countries that share similar interests. This international collaboration allows for a broader reach and a more diverse range of perspectives and ideas to be shared.

The society operates through autonomous branches that determine their own programs of activities, including technical meetings, seminars, workshops, and training courses. These activities are then circulated to branch members and posted on the CASANZ website, ensuring that information and knowledge are accessible to all members.

Through these comprehensive efforts, CASANZ actively contributes to the improvement of air quality and the promotion of public health and well-being in Australia and New Zealand.

Clean Air in London: holds the government accountable for upholding the highest standards for air quality

Clean Air in London is a not-for-profit organisation that advocates for improved air quality in the city of London. The group campaigns for full compliance with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for air quality, not only in London but also in other cities.

Clean Air in London has called for investigations into the UK government's failure to issue a 'Pollution Alert' to warn the public about high ozone levels in southern England. They have also advocated for London to be 'diesel-free' by 2030, supporting the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) as a step towards this goal. The ULEZ scheme, which covers all London boroughs, requires drivers of vehicles that do not meet certain emission standards to pay a daily charge. This has been effective in reducing the number of older, more polluting vehicles in the city, improving air quality and benefiting public health.

The organisation also promotes the importance of green spaces in defending against air pollution. They work on planting projects and advocate for policy changes to increase the number of Parklets on London's streets. In addition, Clean Air in London has exposed the wood stove industry, linking it to air pollution, and has called for "Ella's Law" following a landmark verdict.

Through their initiatives and campaigns, Clean Air in London holds the government accountable for maintaining the highest standards of air quality, ensuring that policies and actions are in line with WHO guidelines and taking action when necessary.

Clean Air Fund: provides grants, scholarships, and training materials to local community groups

The Clean Air Fund is a philanthropic initiative that works with governments, funders, businesses, and campaigners to tackle global air pollution and deliver clean air for all as fast as possible. They surveyed their grantees to better understand how to support the clean air movement and published recommendations for governments and development finance institutions.

The Clean Air Fund provides grants to NGOs, charities, research organizations, and campaigners who are actively improving the air quality in their communities. These grants support a variety of projects, including:

• The Environmental Defense Fund's Air Tracker tool, which helps communities and city officials identify local sources of air pollution.
• Wearable Air Monitoring Devices for low-income and minority communities to establish local air quality monitoring and boost environmental advocacy.
• HabitatMap's low-cost, wearable sensors for collecting air quality data, which are used by campaigners worldwide to advocate for environmental justice.
• Washington University in St. Louis's SPARTAN project, which maintains a global network of advanced PM2.5 monitoring sites to improve the quality of global air quality data resources.
• World Athletics' plan to leverage marathon events to engage local communities, recreational runners, and city governments on the topic of air quality.
• The World Resources Institute's CanAIRy Alert program, which develops and runs an air pollution forecast and pollution origin insights tool for cities in low- and middle-income countries.

The Clean Air Fund also provides scholarships and training materials to local community groups. While the specific details of these scholarships and training materials are not publicly available, the organization is committed to supporting diverse organizations and individuals driving change in air quality improvement. They aim to accelerate action on clean air through grants, projects, promotion of air quality data, public awareness campaigns, and influencing policy-making.

The Climate Reality Project: hosts annual events and launched Reality Drop, a social media tool

The Climate Reality Project is a non-profit organisation that was founded by former US Vice President Al Gore. It is a consolidation of two environmental groups, the Alliance for Climate Protection and The Climate Project, both founded in 2006 by Gore. The Climate Reality Project is focused on climate change education and advocacy for climate solutions. The organisation recruits, trains, and mobilises people from all walks of life to push for bold policies that address rising temperatures and promote a sustainable future.

One of their key initiatives is the annual 24 Hours of Reality event, which is a 24-hour live broadcast about the climate crisis and its solutions. Each broadcast features a diverse range of speakers, including celebrities, musicians, elected officials, and thought leaders from across the globe. The event aims to raise awareness, engage audiences worldwide, and provide a platform for climate activism.

In addition to their annual event, The Climate Reality Project has launched Reality Drop, a social media tool that empowers individuals to become climate advocates. Reality Drop provides users with a platform to share accurate, science-based information about the climate crisis. It offers a way to cut through misinformation and equip people with the knowledge and resources needed to take action. The tool can be used to share content on social media platforms, engage in conversations, and connect with others who share a passion for protecting our planet.

The Climate Reality Project recognises the power of social media in shaping public discourse and driving change. By leveraging this tool, they aim to amplify the voices of those concerned about the planet and provide a counterbalance to climate change denial and misinformation. Reality Drop enables users to access reliable data, visual assets, and shareable content, making it easier for individuals to educate themselves and others about the climate crisis.

Through their annual events and innovative use of social media, The Climate Reality Project is leading the way in climate advocacy and education. They are empowering individuals to become agents of change, providing them with the tools and platforms needed to make a difference. By combining grassroots activism with digital engagement, the organisation is helping to build a global movement that demands action on climate change and strives for a sustainable future for all.

Minnesota GreenCorps: places members with organizations to address environmental issues

The Minnesota GreenCorps program, coordinated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), is a great example of an organization taking steps to reduce pollution. Minnesota GreenCorps places members with host site organizations around the state to help communities increase their resilience to climate change.

Each year, Minnesota GreenCorps members serve full-time at their host site for 11 months, from mid-September through mid-August. Members are placed at a variety of organizations, including environmental nonprofits, government agencies, tribal nations, public schools, and educational institutions. The program has a range of positions available, including roles in air pollutant reduction, community readiness and outreach, green infrastructure improvements, and waste reduction, recycling, and organics management.

Members of Minnesota GreenCorps address critical environmental issues and implement environmental projects in one of four topic areas: community readiness and outreach, energy conservation and green transportation, stormwater and forestry, or waste reduction and recycling. For example, members may coordinate multi-modal transportation events, develop climate action plans, educate community members and youth, remove invasive species, or install rain gardens.

In addition to making a positive environmental impact, Minnesota GreenCorps members also have the opportunity to develop valuable green job skills and gain professional experience. They receive training from the MPCA, quarterly training on relevant environmental topics, and are paired with a professional mentor in the environmental field. Members also have access to a training budget to participate in conferences, trainings, and workshops of their choice, as well as to gain certifications in sustainability and environmental fields.

Through the dedication of its members and the support of host site organizations, Minnesota GreenCorps is helping to reduce pollution and build a greener future for Minnesota's communities.

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