Go Green with Your Transportation!
It improves our air quality, children’s health and while slowing climate change.
Oct. 2009 Green Tip – Give your car a rest during Walk-to-School Month
Did you know? Walking to school is a missed opportunity. Roughly 10% of children nationwide walk to school regularly. Even among those kids living within a mile of their school, only 25% are regular walkers. Physical activity recommendations for children suggest that they need a variety of activities each day-some intense, some less-so, some informal, some structured. Walking or cycling to and from school is an ideal way to get some of that activity at no extra cost to the child or family.
In terms of improving our air quality by driving less, October is Austin’s last chance to reduce our ground-level ozone levels in order to avoid restrictions from the Environmental Protection Agency that could hurt our job growth. If half of the students at an average size elementary school walked/biked to school for a year, they could prevent over 39 tons of greenhouse gas emissions from entering our atmosphere.
What you can do: Add walking to the mix. It's easy to get started by walking (or biking!) to school the first day of school each week in October. If you live too far to walk, meer the walking school busses that leave from a different neighborhood each week, and consider a carpool or bus for your child's commute.
Also, be sure to join us at the Health-a-Palooza Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. to learn about other healthy practices and foods.
Oct. 2009 Green Tip: Yard Care for Clean Air
Did you know? Leaf blowers can generate as much tailpipe emissions from theirengines (two-stroke) in one hour as a newer automobile does in driving over 350 miles. A Swedish study conducted in 2001 concluded, “Air pollution from cutting grass for an hour with a gasoline powered lawn mower is about the same as that from a 100-mile automobile ride.” Meanwhile, the 54 million Americans mowing their lawns each weekend with gas-powered mowers may be contributing as much as five percent of the nation’s air pollution, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While a car willemit that pollution over a long stretch of road, the lawn equipment may concentrate it all in one neighborhood.
What you can do:
· Let your lawn grow tall before mowing. Consider using a people-powered or electric-powered lawn mower. The CLEAN AIR Force operates an incentive program to encourage citizens to trade gas-powered lawnmowers for new electric models. Contact the CLEAN AIR Force at 512-343-SMOG for details on upcoming trade-in events.
· Retire your leaf blower and ask your or your neighbor’s older kids to rake your lawn. (Kids are often looking for ways to make money, and this chore has the added bonus of a workout!)
· Consider replacing all or part of your lawn with xeriscaping or a vegetable garden.
· If you hire professional lawn care service, patronize one that keeps your air cleaner, such as BioGardener or Clean Air Lawn Care.
Sept. 2009 Green Tip: Keep Austin's Air Quality Good (not weird)
"The Austin area has been recommended by the Governor for an ozone non-attainment classification this year, but we still have two months to get levels down sufficiently to avert the actual non-attainment designation by the Environmental Protection Agency. We are very close to the line, so the next two months are critical."
--Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell (8/18/09)
Did you know? "The Austin region is down to the wire on staying within ozone limitations this year - and fending off an EPA designation that could hinder the region for the next 20 years.* August and September historically have the highest number of days when ground-level ozone measurements exceed the federal standard." The area’s "Big Push" campaign is making one last push - and it needs the public and businesses alike to rise to the challenge. ("One Last Push for Central Texas Air Quality 'Big Push',"City of Austin 8/18/08 news release)
What you can do: Sign-up for email alerts to let you know about an “ozone alert” one day in advance: www.cleanairforce.org. These are days we should avoid driving as much as we can.
Then, as much as you can in September, and especially on Ozone Alert Days....
Give your car a rest:
*Walk or bike or carpool when you can. Check out these two resources to help you find a bus or bicycle route, organize a vanpool or match you with a carpool:
www.rivercitiesrideshare.com
* Combine errands and offer to grocery shop for your neighbors!
* Avoid idling your car (especially around the school) avoid drive-thru’s.
* Work from home when you can.
Reduce electricity consumption:
* Turn off the lights.
* Set your thermostat 2 degrees warmer than normal, especially when you’re leaving the house or sleeping.
* Consider Compact Fluorescent Bulbs for lights you use the most.
* Only run a dishwasher when it’s full.
* Consider line-drying your clothes.
For more tips, visit http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/airquality/dosomething.htm
Also, encourage your employer to sign up for the for the Commuter Challenge starting this week, and to join Clean Air Partners.
Commuter Challenge: Sept. 7 – Sept. 19. Register at http://www.rivercitiesrideshare.com
* If we do get named as a region in violation of the ozone standard in June 2010, we will be required to take more stringent measures to reduce ozone emissions, which makes it more costly for industry to do business in Austin, making Austin a less attractive economic hub. Also, we could have federal highway funding withheld if we do not meet our timelines for cleaning up our air below the ozone standard.
GREEN TIP: Food is Fuel
Did you know? Our food travels an average of 1,500 miles before it arrives on our tables. The typical American prepared meal contains, on average, ingredients from at least five countries outside the United States. “If every U.S. citizen ate just one meal a week composed of locally and organically raised meats and produce, we would reduce our country’s oil consumption by over 1.1 million barrels of oil every week." (from Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver) Buying just 10% of your produce from local sources shrinks your carbon footprint 5-17 times!
What you can do? Choose produce, dairy and meat products that are grown and raised locally. Eating fruits and vegetables that are “in season” is not only easier on the planet, it is healthier for you, as fresher produce contains more nutrients than its travel-weary relatives. In addition to shopping nearby farmers markets on Wednesday (The Triangle from 3-7 p.m.) and Saturday (Republic Square 9 a.m.-1 p.m.), you can shop for produce marked "local" at Central Market and Whole Foods. Wheatsville Food Co-op steps it up by marking the distance that MANY local items traveled to their store, including ones you wouldn't expect, like Oak Farms milk. OR you can subscribe to a weekly local food delivery service, like CSA's (local farms that deliver a weekly basket), Farmhouse Delivery and Greenling. You can work out your menu in advance by visiting the “resources” page of edibleaustin.com to find a list of produce that is in season before you go shopping.
Give Cars a Rest: Tip #1
Did you know: In 1969, 42% of students walked or bicycled to school compared 16% in 2001. Less than half of students who live within a mile of school walk or bike to school even once a week. This is an opportunity lost. Walking or bicycling to school gives children time for physical activity and a sense of responsibility and independence; allows them to enjoy being outside; and provides them with time to socialize with their parents and friends and to get to know their neighborhoods. The entire community benefits when there is less traffic congestion and improved air quality as a result of fewer vehicles on the road.
What can you do: Walk to school with other Bryker Woods students. If you live too far to walk or bike, here are some ideas:
1) clock the number of miles from your house to school and try to walk that amount with your child over the course of a week.
2) Drive to a friend’s house who lives closer to the school and walk with them.
3) Get to school a few minutes early and walk around the campus a few times with your kids. Or stay after school and do it then (7:40 is already pretty early!)
4) Instead of walking to school, try walking or biking other places closer to your house – the grocery store, a restaurant, a friend’s house, etc.
Give Cars a Rest: Tip #2
Did you know? Travel to school accounts for 7 to 11% of non-commuting vehicle traffic. This figure does not include trips during which parents drop their children off on the way to work. Studies in some cities show that 17 to 26% of morning rush-hour traffic can be school-related. If half of the students at an average size elementary school choose to walk to school their impact could be a savings of over 39 tons of greenhouse gas emissions a year. This is the equivalent of the carbon-removing abilities of 1,000 trees. Leaving your car at home just two days a week will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1,600 pounds per year. Finally, if more children walked or bicycled to school, it would reduce the number of cars near the school at pick-up and drop-off times making it safer for walkers and bicyclists and reducing traffic congestion.
What can you do: Walk, bike, carpool or bus to school rather than drive a personal vehicle! Join your friends on the walk to school at least every Tuesday in October, Walk-to-School Month. If you live further than walking distance or just want to walk EN MASSE with the principal and teachers, meet at the home of these BW families as early as 6:50 a.m. Walking begins at 7:15 a.m.
Avoid idling your car
Did you know: Idling cars hurt our health and our environment.* An idling car creates twice the amount of exhaust as a car in motion. Children are more vulnerable to air pollution because they spend more time outdoors, breathe more quickly and take in more air than adults. American drivers use more than 2 billion gallons of fuel each year while idling. An hour of automobile idling burns approximately 1/5 of a gallon of gas and releases nearly 4 pounds of CO2 into the air. Excessive amounts of CO2 in the atmosphere contributes to global warming.
*unless you are idling a hybrid, of course
What you can do: Turn off the car if you need to idle for more than 30-60 seconds. (You will use less fuel than you would to restart the engine.) Instead of idling outside of school or in drive-through lines, park your car and go inside. Arrange a carpool, walk, bike or take the bus on the days you can, particularly on Ozone Action Days, when the level of ozone in our air reaches unhealthy levels. You can sign up to receive Ozone Warning Alerts at http://www.cleanairforce.org/ The alerts, which are more frequent as the weather warms up, let you know a day in advance that ozone levels are high.
It improves our air quality, children’s health and while slowing climate change.
Oct. 2009 Green Tip – Give your car a rest during Walk-to-School Month
Did you know? Walking to school is a missed opportunity. Roughly 10% of children nationwide walk to school regularly. Even among those kids living within a mile of their school, only 25% are regular walkers. Physical activity recommendations for children suggest that they need a variety of activities each day-some intense, some less-so, some informal, some structured. Walking or cycling to and from school is an ideal way to get some of that activity at no extra cost to the child or family.
In terms of improving our air quality by driving less, October is Austin’s last chance to reduce our ground-level ozone levels in order to avoid restrictions from the Environmental Protection Agency that could hurt our job growth. If half of the students at an average size elementary school walked/biked to school for a year, they could prevent over 39 tons of greenhouse gas emissions from entering our atmosphere.
What you can do: Add walking to the mix. It's easy to get started by walking (or biking!) to school the first day of school each week in October. If you live too far to walk, meer the walking school busses that leave from a different neighborhood each week, and consider a carpool or bus for your child's commute.
Also, be sure to join us at the Health-a-Palooza Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. to learn about other healthy practices and foods.
Oct. 2009 Green Tip: Yard Care for Clean Air
Did you know? Leaf blowers can generate as much tailpipe emissions from theirengines (two-stroke) in one hour as a newer automobile does in driving over 350 miles. A Swedish study conducted in 2001 concluded, “Air pollution from cutting grass for an hour with a gasoline powered lawn mower is about the same as that from a 100-mile automobile ride.” Meanwhile, the 54 million Americans mowing their lawns each weekend with gas-powered mowers may be contributing as much as five percent of the nation’s air pollution, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While a car willemit that pollution over a long stretch of road, the lawn equipment may concentrate it all in one neighborhood.
What you can do:
· Let your lawn grow tall before mowing. Consider using a people-powered or electric-powered lawn mower. The CLEAN AIR Force operates an incentive program to encourage citizens to trade gas-powered lawnmowers for new electric models. Contact the CLEAN AIR Force at 512-343-SMOG for details on upcoming trade-in events.
· Retire your leaf blower and ask your or your neighbor’s older kids to rake your lawn. (Kids are often looking for ways to make money, and this chore has the added bonus of a workout!)
· Consider replacing all or part of your lawn with xeriscaping or a vegetable garden.
· If you hire professional lawn care service, patronize one that keeps your air cleaner, such as BioGardener or Clean Air Lawn Care.
Sept. 2009 Green Tip: Keep Austin's Air Quality Good (not weird)
"The Austin area has been recommended by the Governor for an ozone non-attainment classification this year, but we still have two months to get levels down sufficiently to avert the actual non-attainment designation by the Environmental Protection Agency. We are very close to the line, so the next two months are critical."
--Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell (8/18/09)
Did you know? "The Austin region is down to the wire on staying within ozone limitations this year - and fending off an EPA designation that could hinder the region for the next 20 years.* August and September historically have the highest number of days when ground-level ozone measurements exceed the federal standard." The area’s "Big Push" campaign is making one last push - and it needs the public and businesses alike to rise to the challenge. ("One Last Push for Central Texas Air Quality 'Big Push',"City of Austin 8/18/08 news release)
What you can do: Sign-up for email alerts to let you know about an “ozone alert” one day in advance: www.cleanairforce.org. These are days we should avoid driving as much as we can.
Then, as much as you can in September, and especially on Ozone Alert Days....
Give your car a rest:
*Walk or bike or carpool when you can. Check out these two resources to help you find a bus or bicycle route, organize a vanpool or match you with a carpool:
www.rivercitiesrideshare.com
* Combine errands and offer to grocery shop for your neighbors!
* Avoid idling your car (especially around the school) avoid drive-thru’s.
* Work from home when you can.
Reduce electricity consumption:
* Turn off the lights.
* Set your thermostat 2 degrees warmer than normal, especially when you’re leaving the house or sleeping.
* Consider Compact Fluorescent Bulbs for lights you use the most.
* Only run a dishwasher when it’s full.
* Consider line-drying your clothes.
For more tips, visit http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/airquality/dosomething.htm
Also, encourage your employer to sign up for the for the Commuter Challenge starting this week, and to join Clean Air Partners.
Commuter Challenge: Sept. 7 – Sept. 19. Register at http://www.rivercitiesrideshare.com
* If we do get named as a region in violation of the ozone standard in June 2010, we will be required to take more stringent measures to reduce ozone emissions, which makes it more costly for industry to do business in Austin, making Austin a less attractive economic hub. Also, we could have federal highway funding withheld if we do not meet our timelines for cleaning up our air below the ozone standard.
GREEN TIP: Food is Fuel
Did you know? Our food travels an average of 1,500 miles before it arrives on our tables. The typical American prepared meal contains, on average, ingredients from at least five countries outside the United States. “If every U.S. citizen ate just one meal a week composed of locally and organically raised meats and produce, we would reduce our country’s oil consumption by over 1.1 million barrels of oil every week." (from Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver) Buying just 10% of your produce from local sources shrinks your carbon footprint 5-17 times!
What you can do? Choose produce, dairy and meat products that are grown and raised locally. Eating fruits and vegetables that are “in season” is not only easier on the planet, it is healthier for you, as fresher produce contains more nutrients than its travel-weary relatives. In addition to shopping nearby farmers markets on Wednesday (The Triangle from 3-7 p.m.) and Saturday (Republic Square 9 a.m.-1 p.m.), you can shop for produce marked "local" at Central Market and Whole Foods. Wheatsville Food Co-op steps it up by marking the distance that MANY local items traveled to their store, including ones you wouldn't expect, like Oak Farms milk. OR you can subscribe to a weekly local food delivery service, like CSA's (local farms that deliver a weekly basket), Farmhouse Delivery and Greenling. You can work out your menu in advance by visiting the “resources” page of edibleaustin.com to find a list of produce that is in season before you go shopping.
Give Cars a Rest: Tip #1
Did you know: In 1969, 42% of students walked or bicycled to school compared 16% in 2001. Less than half of students who live within a mile of school walk or bike to school even once a week. This is an opportunity lost. Walking or bicycling to school gives children time for physical activity and a sense of responsibility and independence; allows them to enjoy being outside; and provides them with time to socialize with their parents and friends and to get to know their neighborhoods. The entire community benefits when there is less traffic congestion and improved air quality as a result of fewer vehicles on the road.
What can you do: Walk to school with other Bryker Woods students. If you live too far to walk or bike, here are some ideas:
1) clock the number of miles from your house to school and try to walk that amount with your child over the course of a week.
2) Drive to a friend’s house who lives closer to the school and walk with them.
3) Get to school a few minutes early and walk around the campus a few times with your kids. Or stay after school and do it then (7:40 is already pretty early!)
4) Instead of walking to school, try walking or biking other places closer to your house – the grocery store, a restaurant, a friend’s house, etc.
Give Cars a Rest: Tip #2
Did you know? Travel to school accounts for 7 to 11% of non-commuting vehicle traffic. This figure does not include trips during which parents drop their children off on the way to work. Studies in some cities show that 17 to 26% of morning rush-hour traffic can be school-related. If half of the students at an average size elementary school choose to walk to school their impact could be a savings of over 39 tons of greenhouse gas emissions a year. This is the equivalent of the carbon-removing abilities of 1,000 trees. Leaving your car at home just two days a week will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1,600 pounds per year. Finally, if more children walked or bicycled to school, it would reduce the number of cars near the school at pick-up and drop-off times making it safer for walkers and bicyclists and reducing traffic congestion.
What can you do: Walk, bike, carpool or bus to school rather than drive a personal vehicle! Join your friends on the walk to school at least every Tuesday in October, Walk-to-School Month. If you live further than walking distance or just want to walk EN MASSE with the principal and teachers, meet at the home of these BW families as early as 6:50 a.m. Walking begins at 7:15 a.m.
Avoid idling your car
Did you know: Idling cars hurt our health and our environment.* An idling car creates twice the amount of exhaust as a car in motion. Children are more vulnerable to air pollution because they spend more time outdoors, breathe more quickly and take in more air than adults. American drivers use more than 2 billion gallons of fuel each year while idling. An hour of automobile idling burns approximately 1/5 of a gallon of gas and releases nearly 4 pounds of CO2 into the air. Excessive amounts of CO2 in the atmosphere contributes to global warming.
*unless you are idling a hybrid, of course
What you can do: Turn off the car if you need to idle for more than 30-60 seconds. (You will use less fuel than you would to restart the engine.) Instead of idling outside of school or in drive-through lines, park your car and go inside. Arrange a carpool, walk, bike or take the bus on the days you can, particularly on Ozone Action Days, when the level of ozone in our air reaches unhealthy levels. You can sign up to receive Ozone Warning Alerts at http://www.cleanairforce.org/ The alerts, which are more frequent as the weather warms up, let you know a day in advance that ozone levels are high.