Support Cleaner Air and Your Local Farmer

image by Barbara L. Hanson used under Creative Commons license

Eating locally grown food is a nutritious way to improve air quality in the New York metro area. Not only is locally grown food fresh, but it also reduces pollution because it doesn’t have to travel as far from the soil to your kitchen table. Food that is transported just a short distance before it is consumed reduces the amount of emissions from the vehicles used to carry them, leading to better air quality for everyone. This is why Clean Air NY will be touring numerous farmers’ markets this fall in New York City, on Long Island and in the Lower Hudson Valley. For more details and specific dates, visit our Facebook event and RSVP!

Eco-Friendly Travel Tips to New York’s Fall Sporting Events

images used under Creative Commons license, credits below

Fall is a busy time for professional sports leagues. Major League Baseball is about to begin the playoffs, the National Football League has started its 2011-2012 season and the National Hockey League is in its pre-season and will start in early October. Depending on the outcome of labor negotiations, the National Basketball Association could start its season sometime this autumn. Many New Yorkers are traveling to cheer on their favorite teams now, so we want to provide you with some eco-friendly travel tips to help you reduce air pollution.

The best way to improve air quality is to avoid driving. If you have to drive, don’t drive alone. The easiest way to leave your car behind is by taking mass transit. The three main sports venues in New York City, Madison Square Garden, New Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, all have their own dedicated subway stops. Taking the train to the game is a snap. There are also convenient mass transit options for visiting arenas outside of the five boroughs. For a full list of mass transit directions to the region’s sports venues, check out our blog post, “Take the Train to the Game.”

If you’re going to drive to the game, you can minimize the amount of air pollution your trip creates. Carpooling is an effective way to cut emissions and expenses. Sharing a ride takes cars off the road and splits the cost of driving across multiple riders. Another way to prevent pollution while driving is to avoid idling. If you’re going to have a tailgate party before the game, don’t run your engine after your vehicle is parked.

Enjoy breathing cleaner air at the games, and let’s go Jets, Giants, Mets, Yankees, Knicks, Nets, Devils, Islanders and Rangers!

Photo Collage Credits:
Football Field (Top Left) by tedkerwin
Basketball Court (Top Right) by Jean Baptiste Bellet
Baseball Diamond (Bottom Left) by Rob Boudon
Hockey Rink (Bottom Right) by dougtone

Get On Your Feet for Cleaner Air!

image by ScubaBear68 used under Creative Commons license

When you think of low-emission modes of transportation, walking and bicycling are two of the cleanest ways to get around. They’re good for the environment and offer exercise that is great for your own personal health. Before temperatures start dropping and being outdoors becomes less pleasant, Clean Air NY encourages you to get on your feet and enjoy some of the beautiful scenery New York has to offer by going for a hike or bike ride!

Here are some options to help you get started:

In New York City:

• Hiking & Biking – Central Park
• Hiking - Van Cortlandt Park
• Hiking – Ally Pond Park
• Biking – Brooklyn-Queens Greenway (PDF)
• Find more NYC hiking and biking options

In the Lower Hudson Valley:

• Hiking options by county
• Biking options by county

In Long Island:

• Hiking – Heckscher State Park
• Biking – Suffolk County options
• Find more Long Island hiking and biking options

Let’s Talk About Telework

image by jnyemb used under Creative Commons license

Telework allows an employee to operate in a location outside his or her primary office, using telecommunication devices such as modems, phones and faxes to communicate. Technological innovations mean many people only require a computer, secure Internet connection and phone line to do their work; they can perform effectively anywhere they have access to these tools. If your job fits this description, consider discussing telework with your supervisor. There are considerable benefits for everyone and for our air quality.

Telework can help employers because it reduces overhead costs in the office and increases employee productivity as it can improve employee job satisfaction. Telework can assist employees in achieving a better balance between professional and personal lives, since most employees choose to telework from their homes. Whenever an employee teleworks, a round trip of commuting is eliminated, reducing air pollution from vehicle travel and saving the employee time. According to the United States Census Bureau, New York has the longest average commute of any state at 31.2 minutes; average New Yorkers would get more than an hour of extra time in their day whenever they telework.

Telework also is being embraced by the Federal government, which has set goals to increase participation among Federal employees. A February 2011 report by the United States Office of Personnel Management states:

“President Obama, the Congress, and OPM have all encouraged Federal agencies to expand their use of telework to ensure continuity of operations; find targeted productivity improvements and reduce overhead, real estate, environmental, and transit costs; and improve employees’ ability to manage their work and life obligations.”

If you want help setting up your own telework arrangement with your employer, 511NY Rideshare can help you create a personalized telework plan.