COLORADO, USA — PAID FOR BY THE REGIONAL AIR QUALITY COUNCIL
As Coloradans head outside more often this summer, air quality can be top of mind. According to public research completed by the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) in September 2021, 57% of residents consider air pollution to be a major problem in the Denver metro area. That’s more than double the percentage in 2016 (26%). Between stories on wildfire smoke, oil and gas operations, and politicians’ talking points, it can be hard to understand the facts about our air quality, its impact on our health, and whether we can actually make meaningful impacts at the personal and local level. The RAQC is here to, well, clear the air on the topic.
Yes, wildfires have a large impact on our air quality, but they are far from the only cause. Wildfires are also a problem mostly out of our direct control (unless you’re actually lighting fires, in which case please stop), but there are other factors that we can control.
The tight feeling in your chest during your summertime strolls or jogs and that scratchy throat that won’t go away is likely caused in part by ground-level ozone. Unlike the ozone layer in the stratosphere that protects us from the sun, ground-level ozone is dangerous – and it’s also largely something you can prevent.
Bear with us for some quick science here. Ground-level ozone is caused by oxygen/nitrogen compounds (NOx) formed by high temperature combustion of fuel and organic compounds, chemically interacting and “baking” in sunlight. In other words, driving our cars, SUVs and pickups, running lawnmowers, and using other small gas engines, especially during the day, is a major cause of air pollution that hurts our quality of life in Colorado.
Here’s what you can start doing right now to improve the air you breathe (and for anyone else you like having around).
- Eliminate two car trips each week – the “Just Skip 2 Challenge.” If everyone in the Denver metro area would avoid taking just two vehicle trips each week and walk/bike, carpool, or combine trips into a single trip, it would take about 200,000 cars off the road each day, reducing congestion and pollution. You could do this by:
- Starting a conversation with your employer about remote working possibilities – you may need to start with one or two days to ease into working from home. This benefits our air quality as well as saving you time, money, and the hassle of commuting. Bonus: you can probably dress more casually.
"More and more employers in our region are thinking about how to support greater commuting options” says Sheryl Machado Director of Communications with the Denver South Transportation Management Association, "We work hand-in-hand with organizations as it's really about fostering a great work culture and a wonderful tool for recruitment and retention. We are hearing post pandemic that hybrid work is here to stay for those employers whose employees are able to balance working from home and in the office. WRK Denver South is a great resource for employers looking to start a hybrid work program.
- When you do commute, try carpooling, light rail, buses or shuttles, or biking to work. You may find you enjoy the commute more than sitting in bumper to bumper traffic.
- Walking to lunch, brunch or dinner instead of driving. It also offsets the dessert you wanted to try.
“The next time you’re sitting in traffic, stop and think … you’re not STUCK in traffic, you ARE the traffic,” says Steve Erickson from the Denver Regional Council of Governments. “The Denver region is a great place to live but increasingly, traffic congestion is threatening our air quality and our overall quality of life,” Erickson says.
- Electrify the gas-powered items you have at home. Electric lawn mowers have come a long way from early corded models. Today, most are battery operated and easily rechargeable. They are also quiet, effective, and you don’t have to worry about running to the gas station to refuel them. Electric leaf blowers, line trimmers, chainsaws, and other equipment are also readily available at your local hardware store.
“Switching from an old gas mower to a modern, clean cordless electric mower isn’t a token gesture,” said Mike Silverstein, Executive Director of the RAQC. “If all lawn and garden equipment in our region went electric it would have the same impact as half of our cars, SUVs and pickups going electric overnight. If you have a lawn you mow, consider going electric. If you’re shopping for a landscaping company, ask them if they use electric.”
- When shopping for a new car to buy or lease, take another look at electric. In the last few years, more electric vehicles have come on the market. Factoring in tax credits, some new models start under $21,000. If you’re looking for luxury vehicle or sports car, major manufacturers ranging from Cadillac to Porsche have electric options too. Bonus: you can plug your car charger into a standard 110 wall outlet – no need for fancy equipment or upgraded electrical panels.
Because ozone and other air pollutants are invisible, the health effects aren’t always apparent. While it’s easy to dismiss concerns, especially for Coloradans who are healthy, unseen hazards can have unseen, but real, impacts on our health. According to the EPA, Americans collectively have “More than a million days when people have to reduce their activity - and their productivity - because they are suffering from reduced lung function and other ozone-related respiratory symptoms.” Better air quality means fewer respiratory illnesses, fewer pediatrician visits for our kids, and longer, healthier lives for Coloradans across the state. To get there, we absolutely can take a few simple steps together.
THIS ARTICLE INVOLVES COMMERCIAL CONTENT. THE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FEATURED APPEAR AS PAID ADVERTISING. FOR MORE INFORMATION, EMAIL US.
COLORADO & COMPANY IS A PART OF 9NEWS AND FEATURES COLORADO EVENTS, COMPANIES, BUSINESS PEOPLE AND OTHER GUESTS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY.