Arlington, Texas — The continuing COVID-19 pandemic has recalibrated many priorities in North Texas and beyond. However, there are many ways residents can adapt and grow in the face of change. Clean Air Action Day (CAAD), the annual celebration of environmental awareness put on by Air North Texas, will look a little different when it commences Aug. 5. For one thing, big in-person gatherings will not be held. Instead, North Texans are encouraged to observe social distancing protocols while aiming to improve air quality.
Many social distancing strategies, such as working from home, can double as clean air strategies in the fight against COVID-19. CAAD is an opportunity for Air North Texas to encourage residents to pledge to do simple things in their everyday lives to positively impact air quality. Clean air actions should not be limited to Aug. 5. It is important to work toward better air quality every day, especially in Dallas-Fort Worth, which remains in nonattainment for ozone pollution.
CAAD has helped people determine what they can do to improve air quality while both staying in and getting out. While the COVID-19 pandemic has many people working from home, there are many ways residents can contribute. They can plan the most fuel-efficient route and combine trips when they have to drive. Other examples include bicycling or walking to the store, packing lunch in a reusable bag, and buying locally grown foods.
A good first step to better air quality is signing up for air pollution alerts at
www.airnorthtexas.org/signup. Individuals will be notified when ozone levels are predicted to be unhealthy so they can take extra precautions and limit actions that affect air quality on those days.
Visit
www.airnorthtexas.org/howto for resources and information on programs that can help improve air quality each day. These resources include how to find ways to work from home efficiently, reduce idling, report smoking vehicles, conserve water and electricity, and much more. Ultimately, Air North Texas could help Dallas-Fort Worth reach the attainment of the federal government’s ozone regulations.
Check out
https://www.airnorthtexas.org/howto and select the actions that can make a difference in improving air quality. Then, show us examples of what you have done by posting on social media, using #CAAD2020, and tagging @NCTCOGtrans.
About the North Central Texas Council of Governments:
NCTCOG is a voluntary association of local governments established in 1966 to assist local governments in planning for common needs, cooperating for mutual benefit, and coordinating for sound regional development. NCTCOG's purpose is to strengthen both the individual and collective power of local governments and to help them recognize regional opportunities, eliminate unnecessary duplication, and make joint decisions.
NCTCOG serves a 16-county region of North Central Texas, which is centered in the two urban centers of Dallas and Fort Worth. Currently, NCTCOG has 238 member governments including 16 counties, 169 cities, 22 school districts and 31 special districts. For more information on the NCTCOG Transportation Department, visit
www.nctcog.org/trans.
About Air North Texas:
Air North Texas is a regional air quality partnership and general public outreach effort. Air North Texas leverages existing resources and program strengths to offer the public a comprehensive resource for air quality information. Collaborative efforts focus on reducing harmful emissions, protecting public health and welfare, motivating residents to make choices that improve air quality and preserving the economic vitality of the region. Learn more at www.airnorthtexas.org.
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