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1 Volume 13, Number 2 The Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia Spring 2005 Smog Alert! A Georgia Air Quality Primer What causes air matter. Unlike ground-level ozone, technological improvements that pollution and what does particle pollution is a year-round have made vehicles 70-90% cleaner hazard. than 30 years it mean to you? ago, increases in What can you do to educate Why do we No Longer Just driving behavior yourself and your students and how make auto can your actions improve air have Atlanta's Problem The non-attainment area for metro emissions a quality? All Georgians have the poor air Atlanta includes the following counties: growing portion potential to positively impact air quality? Barrow, Bartow, Bibb, Carroll, of the air quality as educators, you can be the Poor air quality Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, pollution pie. To catalyst in providing the knowledge and traffic DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, address our air and resources necessary to bring congestion are Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Newton, pollution about change. inextricably Paulding, Spalding, Rockdale, Walton, problem, changes and parts of Murray. Other areas of linked: the need to be made the state include the Macon area (Bibb What's the problem vehicles clogging in daily driving county and parts of Monroe) and the with our air? our roads northwest corner of the state just behavior. Many areas in Georgia face contribute to south of Chattanooga (Catoosa and problems with poor air quality. smog. In fact, a parts of Murray). Both the Columbus How does Currently, 24 counties in Georgia significant area (Muscogee County) and Augusta air pollution fail federal air quality standards for proportion of area (Richmond) narrowly escaped nitrogen oxides hurt us? ground-level ozone, a major designation of non-attainment for (NOx) emissions Health: The component of smog. This nonprimary target of ground-level ozone. However, these in Georgia are areas and other areas of the state may attainment status for ozone means caused by onthat for many days particularly May face air pollution designation in the air pollution is future if steps are not taken now to road mobile the respiratory 1 to September 30air pollution ensure that anticipated growth does sources, i.e., system, but it levels are likely to exceed federal not also bring with it the perils of air cars, trucks and also attacks the limits. In 2003, Georgia began pollution faced by Atlanta and Macon. buses. Despite heart and monitoring for fine particulate immune system. 1 Continued on Page 2

2 Continued from Page 1 Air pollution disproportionately waters, air pollution threatens our only will it reduce pollutants, it affects children, the elderly, and entire ecosystem. can also save money, reduce those with respiratory illnesses, but stress and may even healthy, active adults can be What can be save time. Ride adversely affected after long-term What is Smog? done? with a co- exposure. High levels of particle Smog is created from a worker or Regulatory efforts, pollution have been implicated in combination of pollutants that spouse. such as industry sudden cardiac arrest among include: permits and healthy adults. Ground-level ozone, a Refuel after emissions controls chemical soup created from 6:00 PM. are working. As educators, we must be especially a recipe of nitrogen oxides, Because of the sensitive to the health impacts of or NOx, and volatile organic Drive welldetrimental impact air pollution on children. Because compounds (VOCs), cooked maintained of driving behavior children breathe faster and are by sunlight and high outdoor vehicles. on smog-forming often outside during the day when temperatures. For your next emissions, voluntary ozone levels are at their highest, Particle pollution or vehicle change is essential their exposure is higher than most particulate matter (PM), purchase, to improve air adults. In Georgia, 11% of children which consists of extremely buy the most quality and curb have asthma (higher than the small solids, such as dust, efficient congestion. national average), a condition that pollen, soot and aerosols vehicle you is severely aggravated by air that come from a variety of can afford (see You have the power pollution. An Atlanta-based study sources, including vehicles, fueleconomy.gov to effect change. noted a 37% increase in asthma- industry and outdoor for more There are ways related emergency room visits burning. information). each of us can following days with high ozone Because of ozone, we do see improve air quality: levels. In 2000, 540,000 school more smog in the summer, Don't idle. absences were attributed to asthma, though poor air quality can Idling wastes Try a commute which demonstrates the significant occur at any time of the year. gasoline and alternative: take impact of air pollution on children's pollutes the transit or health and on our educational air around carpool. Not system. you. Give your car a rest and Economic Development: turn it off when The Air Quality Index The bottom-line impacts you're waiting for of poor air quality and Because poor air quality is a public health issue, the US someone. traffic congestion include EPA created the AQI Index, which is used to convey lost productivity as forecasted and current air quality levels to the public, Turn off lights and workers waste time in along with associated health advisories. your computer, buy traffic; loss of corporate energy efficient relocations and Air quality forecasts are made each day and can be bulbs and expansions; and the accessed at EnergyStar inability to attract or keep appliances, and use skilled workers. manual or electric lawn tools. Environment: Groundlevel ozone is damaging to For more information on plant life, has been shown air quality and its to reduce crop yields, and solutions, visit: can harm animal life. Like the dangers posed to our 2

3 Two Metro Atlanta Schools Take on Traffic and Fight for Better Air By Jennifer Owens, Education Coordinator, The Clean Air Campaign In August 2004, two elementary schools Rebecca Minor in Gwinnett County and Barnwell in Fulton County, became the first Better Air Schools in Georgia. As pilots for a new school-based program, they tackled the twin issues of air pollution and traffic congestion by embracing innovative programs to educate their school communities about air quality and to encourage behavior changes to improve traffic and air quality around the school. The Better Air Schools program is modeled after The Clean Air Campaign's successful employer outreach program, BAIR&Hands BAIR performance at Stone Mountain Elementary, Dekalb County. but incorporates additional program components that meet the education and eligible students. These students walked consecutive Fridays. Together they saved transportation needs of schools. A to school together in groups, chaperoned 311 car trips from being made! Walking school can become a Better Air School by parent and faculty volunteers on four to school not only reduces vehicle miles by implementing clean air activities traveled and traffic congestion in the car selected to address the school's special lane at school, but also gets children up needs and interests, including: and moving, combating the growing epidemic of physical inactivity and An anti-idling campaign that reduces childhood obesity. harmful smog-forming emissions A fun, educational musical assembly "Our goal is to provide a rigorous program that features BAIR, the curriculum where healthy children are Better Air Bear ready and able to participate in the Air quality lesson plans for grades 4-8. educational process, said Principal Lesson plans meet Georgia Barbara Engle. Minor's participation in Performance Standards (GPS), and the Better Air Schools program allows us are posted to the Georgia Learning the opportunity to educate our children, Connections Web site. parents, faculty and the community about Smog Alert awareness program air quality." Ride There! For Clean Air, a program to encourage bus ridership Barnwellbusraffle Winner of the At Barnwell Elementary the Ride Walk There! for Clean Air, a program Barnwell Bus challenge Alex Taylor was There! for Clean Air program is to encourage walking to school rewarded with 4 tickets to a Falcons game increasing bus ridership and reducing for being a loyal bus rider. Also pictured: single-family occupancy car lines by The pilot programs at both schools were Douglas Brown, principal of Barnwell and providing parents information on school greeted with great enthusiasm and high Ellen Macht, Executive Director of The bus safety and rewarding bus riders with levels of support.. At Minor Elementary, Clean Air Campaign. Barnwell E.S. is in incentives and goodies. Both schools the first Walking School Bus program Fulton County. are also implementing anti-idling had approximately 50% participation by 3 Continued on Page 6

4 Pictorial Highlights of the 2005 EEA Conference March 11-13, 2005 Unicoi State Park, Helen 4

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6 Students Get Their Hands on Clean Air: New Statewide Lesson Plans Provide Tools for Educators Since its inception in 1996, The Clean pollution challenges facing all Georgians. The Clean Air Campaign and the Air Campaign has emphasized public The lessons cross several subjects Georgia Environmental Protection education on the importance of healthy including science, social studies, Division, who wanted air quality air and a call to personal action to reduce geography, and English. education to be included among the polluting behaviors. Creating a other issues more often addressed in fundamental and long-lasting change in Topics include: environmental education, such as our mobility ethic is a long-term recycling, water quality, and land use, process, so The Clean Air Campaign is What's in the Air? created the lesson plans. Collaboration turning its attention to the citizens and with educators, environmentalists, and commuters of the future: elementary and The Chemistry of Air Pollution health experts has ensured that the middle school-age children. lesson plans are scientifically accurate, Every Breath You Take highly engaging to students, and practical Eleven exciting, hands-on curriculum for classroom application. units and lessons available for grades 4 to Lung Power & Pollution 8 will have students huffing and puffing The lesson plans have been carefully in experiments to prove that air has mass The Heat Island Effect crafted to meet current state standards and exerts pressure. Each unit consists of and can be viewed at two to three lesson plans that educate Monitoring Ground-Level Ozone and the students about air chemistry, health and Georgia Learning Connection (GLC) human behaviors, as well as the air website. Continued from Page 3 campaigns and building toward a comprehensive approach to air quality education and behavior change. One component of the Better Air School program, familiar to thousands of school children is our mascot BAIR, the Better Air Bear. The highenergy, live show, featuring original songs and audience interaction, teaches basic concepts about air and air pollution, the importance of healthy air and lungs, the sources, and how the students and their families can protect the air. BAIR is available at no cost to metro Atlanta elementary schools. Walkingsign Walking School Minor E.S. in Gwinnett For more information about Better Air Schools or to inquire about having BAIR at your school, contact The Clean Air Campaign at CLEANAIR or visit cleanaircampaign.com. 6

7 20 Things You Can Do for Cleaner Air Carpool Walk or ride a bike Ride public transit or telecommute Accelerate your car gradually Obey the speed limit Combine your errands into one trip Keep your car tuned Don't top off at the gas pump Replace your car's air filter Keep your tires properly inflated Look for the most efficient, lowest polluting model or even a zero-polluting electric car Time to renew your EEA memership? Check your mailing label for your membership expiration date. EEA MEMBERSHIP FORM Become a Member Today! Fill out this form and mail it along with a check to Elachee Nature Science Center at the address above. MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS: Quarterly Newsletter - Provides educational resources, legislative updates, notice of workshops and events, grant opportunities, and much more. Annual Spring Conference and Fall Retreat - Held at different sites throughout Georgia with guest speakers, workshops and field trips. A great opportunity to meet people and share. Sharing and Exchanging Exhibits - The opportunity to find out and exchange exhibits from member organizations. The Georgia Environmental Education Teacher Resource Guide pages of environmental education resources and learning opportunities in Georgia. Name Affiliation Address Use water-based paints. Look for paints labeled zero-voc. Use a push or electric lawn mower. Start your barbecue briquettes with an electric probe. Or use a propane or natural gas barbecue. Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Replace energy-hungry incandescent lights with fluorescent lighting. Add insulation to your home. Insulate your water heater. Choose recycled products. Avoid using leaf blowers and other types of equipment that raise a lot of dust. Try using a rake or broom. Phone Fax address Membership Category: Individual $15 Organizational* $50 Corporate* $100 *Please Note: organizations and businesses can list up to five representatives to receive EEA mailings and information. Please check the category of your affiliation so that we may serve you better: Community Outreach Private and/or Non-Profit Government Agency Environmental Education Center Formal Post Secondary Education Formal Education, Pre-k through 6 Formal Education, 7 through 12 Business and Industry 7

8 Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia P.O. Box 286 Mansfield, GA EEA is a self-governed, non-profit organization that promotes communication and education among professionals in the field of environmental education in Georgia. EEA is an affiliate of the North American Association for Environmental Education. Newsletter Committee Karen Garland, Georgia Conservancy Sheri Henshaw, Keep Bartow Beautiful Managing Editors A New Dimension Graphic Design & Printing Production The Link is published four times annually. EEA member contributions are encouraged. Deadlines for articles and news of interest are: Issue Deadline Spring March 1 Summer June 1 Fall September 1 Winter December 1 articles to Karen Garland at kgarland@gaconservancy.org or call (404) x