 NOVEMBER 2008 ISSUE |
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Following please find the latest edition of the Clean Air Chronicles, an e-newsletter from the St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership (The Partnership). Distributed several times a year to representatives from area companies, schools and other organizations that support the regional clean air effort, the newsletter is designed to keep our friends of clean air updated on the latest news from The Partnership and our member organizations. We hope you enjoy this special fall edition of the Clean Air Chronicles. 2008 Air Quality Forecasting Season sees decrease in number of orange days A cooler and wetter-than-normal weather pattern contributed to healthier air quality conditions in the region during summer 2008. The summer season air quality tally was 64 good or "green" air quality days, 50 moderate or "yellow" days, eight unhealthy or "orange" days and zero red days between mid-May and mid-September. Compared with 2007, the season saw 10 fewer orange days, which represented a decrease of nearly 50 percent. While high gas prices plagued the region during summer months, many commuters did their share for cleaner air by choosing to rideshare or use transit, while others heeded The Partnership's call to adopt "green" lifestyle changes at home and at work to help reduce emissions. This year's improvement in air quality conditions was great to see, but it wouldn't be possible without your continued commitment to the clean air effort. Your willingness to do your share for cleaner air will be critical as we work to ensure that the region's air quality continues to improve in the months and years to come, and we appreciate your ongoing support. County voters defeat Prop M To the surprise of many, voters in St. Louis County defeated Proposition M, the half-cent sales tax increase that would have generated $80 million annually for Metro's operations and expansion. While the proposition failed by a close margin of just 4 percent and passed in precincts inside the I-270 perimeter, this defeat nonetheless represents a considerable setback for the region's transit agency. As Metro has detailed, the agency is facing a significant budget deficit. Without this new source of revenue, the budget shortfall has the potential to impact the level of service Metro can provide, resulting in more cars on the road and more emissions into the atmosphere. Without a new source of funding, Metro will need to increase fares and reduce service in the coming year. The result will be limited access to transit services for area residents hoping to connect with major employment, health and entertainment centers throughout the region. With the future of the region's transit system uncertain, Metro, along with the Greater St. Louis Transit Alliance, is now working to evaluate how to best redesign the system to preserve as much service as possible with the funds available. Additionally, a coalition of civic, business and transit supporters will look into other funding options that could ease the budget shortfall. With transit use playing such a vital role in the fight to improve the region's air quality, we'll be watching this issue closely, and will keep you updated with the latest news from Metro as it becomes available. Clean Air Partnership and its member organizations named Heroes of the Planet finalists In October, The Partnership was thrilled to learn that it and three if its member organizations had been selected as finalists for the St. Louis Business Journal's inaugural Heroes of the Planet award. The Partnership, Alberici, RideFinders and the St. Louis Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council were all honored at a special awards ceremony at the Missouri Botanical Garden on Oct. 23, and each was featured in a special section in the Business Journal which profiled all of this year's Heroes of the Planet finalists and winners. It was great to see so many of our organizations recognized for the environmental strides they are making, and we congratulate them on this unique honor. I-64 project rolls on With the end of 2008 quickly approaching, construction will wrap up on the five-mile section of I-64 from Ballas Rd. to I-170 on Dec. 15, and the closure of the eastern end of I-64 from I-170 to Kingshighway will occur on the same day. As the second phase of the project gets underway, you can get the latest, up-to-date information at www.thenewi64.org. The site features construction maps, updates on road closures, and information on commuting alternatives designed to help you get around town and avoid traffic tie-ups and the related emissions that can lead to poor air quality. We encourage you to explore the site so you can stay informed as the I-64 reconstruction project continues. Make it a "greener" holiday It's hard to believe, but the start of the holiday season is right around the corner. And as the hustle and bustle begins, there are a number of things you and your family can do to minimize your impact on the environment while you spread the holiday cheer. According to the EPA, each year between Thanksgiving and the New Year, Americans create more trash than any other time of the year. From gift bags and wrapping paper, to ribbons, bows and holiday cards, there is a seemingly endless supply of extra waste created during the holidays. Luckily, reducing it is easy. Instead of wrapping gifts, consider using reusable bags or baskets. Or, if you need to wrap a gift, use a type of paper that is recyclable, such as plain brown paper, children's artwork or even old road maps, calendars or the colored comic pages from the newspaper. You can also cut back on ribbon useage by using paint or markers to decorate packages. Natural fiber raffia is also a good alternative for ribbon because it's recyclable. As we approach the holidays, many of us will also begin decorating our homes for the season, and there are numerous steps you can take to make your home look festive without impacting the environment. These include:
As you plan your holiday parties, there are also a number of ways to cut back on extra waste without minimizing the fun. Some easy ideas include:
In terms of gift-giving, there are also a number of great, environmentally-friendly ideas to keep in mind:
The steps you choose to take to go green this holiday season can go a long way towards improving our environment and the quality of the air we breathe. For information on additional steps you can use throughout the rest of the year to improve the region's air quality, visit The Partnership's website at |
| INSIDE THIS ISSUE
2008 Air Quality Forecasting Season sees decrease in number of orange days Clean Air Partnership and its member organizations named Heroes of the Planet finalists |
