6 Ways You Can Help Clean the Air on Clean Air Day
September 25, 2019 9:00 AM
by Ariana Vito, Sirinya Matute
As members of a community that has a long championed clean air policies and commitments, we invite you to take part in Clean Air Day on Wednesday, October 2 by taking the Clean Air Pledge.
>> Take the Pledge
What is Clean Air Day?
California Clean Air Day, a project of the Coalition for Clean Air, is built on the idea that shared experiences unite people to action to improve our community health. By joining together for a unified day of action we can create new habits to clear the air for all members of California’s diverse communities. The Clean Air Pledge allows individuals and organizations to commit to do our part to clear the air, through actions big and small.
Try one of these six tips to participate in California Clean Air Day on October 2.
|
1. Walk or bike! |
|
And if you don’t have your own bike, check out Breeze Bike Share. To celebrate Clean Air Day, the City is offering free Breeze Bike Share rides all day on October 2. As vehicle transportation contributes the majority of carbon emissions in Santa Monica, when you walk, bike, or roll, not only are you getting exercise, you help clean the air! |
|
2. Ride Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus! |
|
Big Blue Bus (BBB) is now operating its first electric bus, and plans to purchase 18 more by 2020. BBB aims to have a 100 percent zero-emissions fleet by 2030. BBB already has one of the cleanest fleets in the nation, with 200 buses that run on non-fracked renewable methane, and its transition to electric will have a lasting impact on cleaning the air across LA’s Westside. The fare is just $1.25 ($1.10 with a TAP card). |
| 3. Upgrade to an electric vehicle! |
|
Santa Monica has 143 public EV chargers. If you live in a multi-unit dwelling (i.e. an apartment), the City offers an EV Charger Rebate program to help offset station costs. Learn more at smgov.net/electricvehicles. |
| 4. Buy local, instead of online |
|
Making many small online purchases throughout the week leads to increased air pollution from shipping. When you buy local, not only are you helping local businesses thrive, you can help clean the air by reducing pollution from delivery vehicles. |
| 5. Buy 100 percent Renewable Energy |
| Through the Clean Power Alliance, more than 48,000 residential and customers receive energy from 100 percent clean sources, such as solar and wind. |
| 6. Plant a tree or a garden |
| These function as nature’s air purifier and go a long way in fighting air pollution. Santa Monica is committed to planting 400 trees a year as part of its effort to mitigate the urban heat island effect and chip away at air pollution from transportation. See the City’s Street Tree Planting Priority Plan for more information. |
What else is the City doing to clean the air?
From supporting biking and walking, to reducing transportation emissions, and sourcing renewable energy, Santa Monica has ambitious commitments to improve air quality and reduce harmful carbon emissions. The City’s Climate Action & Adaptation Plan calls for 80% emissions reductions below 1990 levels by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050 or sooner.
Authored By
Ariana Vito
Sustainability Analyst
Sirinya Matute
Transportation Management Specialist