California Clean Air Day - October 1st

The 8^th Annual California Clean Air Day will take place on Wednesday, October 1st! Take the Clean Air Pledge today! It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of air quality challenges, but this day is a powerful reminder that small actions lead to big changes.

California Clean Air Day was created by the Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) to build on the idea that shared experiences unite people in action to improve our community health. Our purchasing habits, driving behaviors, and relationship with food all contribute to the air quality in our communities.

Commit to Cleaner Air: Take the Pledge

The Clean Air Pledge enables individuals and organizations to commit to their part in clearing the air through actions both big and small. Last year, over 10,000 participants took the Clean Air Pledge, resulting in more than 75,000 actions to clean the air. There were 121 Clean Air Day events, 330+ pledged companies and organizations, and 28 transit agencies that provided free rides on buses, trains, and bike share programs. Pledges can be both big or small, including changing your air filter, walking or riding a bicycle to school or work, or sponsoring an event.

Other Actions You Can Take:

In addition to taking the Clean Air Pledge, there are a number of actions you can take that can make a big difference.

1. Try Public Transit – Public transit is an inexpensive and environmentally responsible way to travel. In support of Clean Air Day, Thousand Oaks Transit is offering free bus fares on October 1^st. Riders can travel free on all fixed routes in Thousand Oaks and Ventura County.
2. Avoid Idling – Drive-through lines are a common place for vehicles to idle, causing pollution and wasting fuel. If the line at a drive-through restaurant, pharmacy, or bank is long, consider turning off your car while you wait or parking and walking inside instead. Accounting for all road vehicles, from passenger cars to heavy-duty trucks, Argonne National Laboratory estimates that more than 6 billion gallons of gasoline and diesel combined are lost to idling every year. Even when fuel prices are as low as $2 per gallon, that wasted fuel translates into more than $11 billion annually. Reducing vehicle idling saves fuel and money, cuts pollution and emissions, and can reduce engine wear and associated maintenance costs.
3. Replace your gas-powered landscape equipment – The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District is offering vouchers to residents, businesses, and organizations to replace gasoline and diesel-powered landscaping equipment with new zero-emissions electric models. Click HERE for more information.

For more information on California Clean Air Day, click here.