Clean Air Tips - Let's Breathe Easier

Ok, we're very late to this party. But May has been Clean Air Month in Georgia. The way we see it, though, every darn month should be clean air month, since, you know, every month we all gotta breathe.

For clean air month(s), the Georgia Clean Air Force issued the following tips:                                     DONT BE AN AMERICAN IDLE

         An effective way to improve both air quality and the life of your car¹s engine is to avoid idling. Americans waste nearly four million gallons of gas annually by unnecessarily idling, which is hard on the environment and our wallets. Idling uses more fuel than turning off and restarting an engine. Idling can allow harmful deposits to form, contaminating oil and damaging engine components. If you will be idling for more than 30 seconds, and it is safe to do so, turn your engine off. 
SOLES, PEDDLES AND POOLS

         Now that it¹s getting warmer, pledge to walk or ride your bike to work once or twice a week. If you have a longer commute, team up with some of your colleagues and carpool to work. According to The Rideshare Company, the average vehicle releases 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually, which contributes to global warming.
FUEL IN THE COOL 

         Hot temperatures and gasoline fumes combine to create harmful ground-level ozone. Plan to refuel your vehicle at night, when temperatures are  cooler and gasoline evaporates less rapidly. Also, don¹t forget to tighten your gas cap. Each year, loose, damaged, or missing gasoline caps allow 147 million gallons of gasoline to vaporize.

          PLAN A SUMMER STAYCATION   
Instead of planning a long road trip this summer, take a short trip to enjoy the natural beauty of one of Georgia¹s 48 state parks. Georgia state parks offer areas for hiking, biking, fishing, boating, picnicking, golf, disc golf, horseback riding, birding and more. Camping opportunities also abound, ranging from modern and primitive campsites to cottages, lodge rooms and yurts. Make sure to pack lightly and don¹t overload your car. For a list of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites visit www.gastateparks.org. 

MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE    

         UPS, a leading global package delivery and logistics company based in Sandy Springs, Ga., conducted groundbreaking research concluding that eliminating left turns conserves fuel, lowers emissions and increases safety. Since 2004, UPS has saved 10 million gallons of gas and reduced CO2 emissions by 100,000 metric tons ­ equivalent to taking 5,300 passenger cars off the road for an entire year ­ by instructing its drivers to avoid left turns.