Environmental Justice
Air Quality:
How to Get Involved?
Know the Facts!
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The average vehicle uses more gas and causes more emissions when idling for ten seconds than it would stopping and restarting. It’s one of the easiest ways to contribute to better air quality in Salt Lake City - be idle free! |
Every little bit counts... Air pollution is a very real threat to our health, our environment, and our future. And while there is much to change at the corporate and political levels to resolve air pollution issues, there is much that can be done as an individual to improve the situation; explore this page to find out how.
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Get involved... Contributing to clean air is easier than you might think... In fact, below are five things you can start doing today to improve air quality in Salt Lake City. |
1) Conserve Electricity
It might not seem like turning off the light would contribute much to better air; but the truth is that there are emissions in energy production that can be reduced by using less energy. Save energy and you’re saving the air.
2) Combine Errands & Choose Cleaner Commutes
Consolidate your trips when possible by trying to take care of all your errands “while you’re out.” Minimizing trips and cold-starts of the engine is good for your car and the environment. Also, when possible, choose cleaner commutes like carpooling to social events, walking to the market, or using public transportation.
3) Use Environmentally-Safe Products Around the House
For indoor and outdoor air quality alike, select safe products when choosing paints and cleaning products for the house.
4) Maintain Your Vehicle
Keeping your car, truck, or van tuned and tires properly inflated keeps you safe, cuts gasoline expenditures, and minimizes pollution.
5) Turn the Key - Be Idle-Free
According to the US EPA, the emissions from one hour of idling are equivalent to those from 80 miles of driving! You’ve heard it before, now it’s time to act. Turn the key and save the air.
How big is your Ecological Footprint?
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The ecological footprint is a calculation of one’s resource consumption in terms of how much land area is required to support his/her lifestyle. In a way, everything we purchase or consume has environmental costs attached (for example, pollution from production or transportation of that product). If we know what areas of our lifestyle are generating the most pollution, we can start making changes today. Follow the link below to calculate your ecological footprint and find out what you can do to tread a little more lightly on Earth. -Calculate your ecological footprint-
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Want to do more?
If you’re looking for other ways to contribute to clean air in Salt lake City, there are lots more! You can donate your time to any of the organizations listed here or explore the links below for more tips that will minimize air pollution locally.
-AIR NOW - Help Keep the Air Cleaner -- Every Day!
-Dept. of Environmental Quality - Pollution Prevention.
-Environmental Protection Agency - Reduce Air Pollution.






