This New Year, Re-evaluate Your Commute

Welcome to 2010, New Yorkers! Were you trying to think of a good New Year’s resolution? How about changing your driving habits? Cars and trucks are responsible for about 30 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions, so the less you drive, the less you pollute. It’s that simple.

Every situation is different, but there are clean-air actions for every commuter. If you work on Long Island or in the Lower Hudson Valley, it may be less practical for you to walk to work. Instead, try a carpool, vanpool bus or train. If you work in New York City, you may want to consider walking or biking. New York City’s Bicycle Access to Buildings Law, announced in December, allows bicycles in buildings, so take advantage of this new law! Walking or biking also keeps you in shape, so you’ll be improving your health and local air quality at the same time.

So, this New Year, find an alternative commute that works for you. Visit 511ny.org or nycommute.org to get started.

EPA's New Report Finds that Greenhouse Gases Pose Threat to Public Health, Welfare

EPA has declared greenhouse gases a health threat – perhaps the first step in regulation of these pollutants. The EPA press release states that "The scientific analysis also confirms that climate change impacts human health in several ways. Findings from a recent EPA study titled “Assessment of the Impacts of Global Change on Regional U.S. Air Quality: A Synthesis of Climate Change Impacts on Ground-Level Ozone,” for example, suggest that climate change may lead to higher concentrations of ground-level ozone, a harmful pollutant."

This will also increase the amount of Air Quality Action Days, that is why it is so important to join the Clean Air NY network and learn how you can improve the air quality and lessen the harmful effects of climate change. Join Clean Air NY by texting AIR to 42269 or visit CleanAirNY.org.

To learn more visit EPA's website -- http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/0EF7DF675805295D8525759B00566924.

Jessica Horne, Marketing and Outreach Associate, Clean Air NY.