By now, you’re likely aware that Colorado’s northern Front Range region suffers from poor air quality, especially in summer. Air quality is degraded mostly by six common air pollutants: Ground-level ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, lead, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.
Even though it’s estimated that up to a third of Colorado’s smog is generated by out-of-state industry, there are things you can do in CO to ease dangerous ground-level ozone and improve our shared air quality.
Here are five you can start on now!
Five Things To Improve Air Quality
1.) Change up the way you commute! Commuting Solutions has loads of alternative commuting suggestions on their website. The basics:
- Limit single-use car/vehicle trips
- Use public transportation
- Bike to work
- Walk when possible
- Carpool & rideshare
2.) Help “decarbonize” the air by using zero-carbon renewable energy sources like wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass power.
3.) Use the EPA’s Green Building Standards and install solar power when building or remodeling a home or business.
4.) Practice outdoor fire safety, wildfire mitigation, and environmental conservation where you live, work, and play.
5.) Support pro-environment legislation at the local, state, and national levels.
There’s more information about sustainable transportation and CO air quality on the Commuting Solutions website.