 MARCH 2009 ISSUE |
2008 air quality survey demonstrates continued increase in public awareness of air quality issuesFor the second year in a row, the annual 2008 regional air quality survey conducted on behalf of the American Lung Association (ALA) and The Partnership shows a dramatic rise in air quality awareness among St. Louis residents. The survey, which was conducted last fall through random interviews of residents from eight counties in the bi-state region, also pointed to concerns over the effects of air pollution on area businesses. As in years past, poor air quality continued to top the list of the most serious environmental issues facing the area, but this year’s survey demonstrated a seven percent increase in the number of respondents who indicated that poor air quality was a "very or moderately" serious problem for the region. This increase follows a five percent jump in 2007. More than 73 percent of respondents also noted that they were "very or somewhat" familiar with daily air quality information, a slight increase since 2007. And, more than half of those surveyed noted they are "always or usually" aware when a red or orange day is declared in the area. Respondents also expressed increased willingness to change their daily routines in light of a red or orange air quality day. Of those surveyed, 48 percent said they would change their routines "a lot or some" if they heard a red or orange day was in the forecast, which represented a seven percent increase over 2007 and the highest percentage response in nine years. Familiarity with terms associated with pollution prevention also increased in 2008. Specifically, familiarity with the terms "carpooling/ride sharing" and "using mass transit" was at its highest level in 10 years, coming in at 85.8 percent and 81.7 percent, respectively. Familiarity with terms such as "flex time" and "trip planning" also increased significantly, reaching 59 percent and 69 percent, respectively. The survey also demonstrated increased awareness of actions designed to improve the region’s air quality. Carpooling, riding the bus or MetroLink and bringing lunch to work all increased slightly, while the number of those who stated they would help improve air quality by performing routine maintenance on their vehicles and not using charcoal lighting fluid while barbecuing jumped over eight and six percent, respectively. Finally, respondents expressed concerns over the effects of air pollution on area businesses. Nearly 79 percent of respondents noted that potential increased regulations on businesses in the region were a "very or somewhat serious" effect of air pollution, which represented an almost eight percent jump over 2007. In addition, more than 63 percent of respondents stated that the threat of residents and businesses leaving the region for areas with cleaner air was a "very or somewhat" serious effect. Concerns regarding the negative health effects of air pollution on children and the elderly also topped the list. The Partnership is encouraged by the latest survey numbers because they demonstrate marked progress in our efforts to raise awareness about air quality concerns and encourage behaviors to improve air quality. We’ll continue to review the survey results closely and use them to guide us in our outreach efforts for the coming year. To see a complete analysis of the survey results, click here or visit The Partnership’s website at www.cleanair-stlouis.com. Mark your calendar - 6th annual Clean Air Festival set for May 15th
Alvin Jett and the Phat Noiz Blues Band performs at the 2008 Clean Air Festival in Kiener Plaza The Partnership will kick off the 2009 summer air quality forecasting season with its 6th annual Clean Air Festival at Kiener Plaza in downtown St. Louis on May 15th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (rain date – May 19th). As in years past, the event is expected to attract more than 500 attendees and will feature live music, prize giveaways, an appearance from K-HITS 96 radio personality Mark Klose, complimentary Ted Drewes frozen custard, free bottled water and a variety of clean-air themed information booths designed to help individuals get involved in improving the region’s air quality. If your worksite is downtown, please share the date with your co-workers so they can make plans to attend. We’d love to see you there! Metro announces service changes, teams up with RideFinders, Paraquad and the TMA to assist riders impacted by service cutsFollowing the defeat of Proposition M last fall, Metro has released details on service cuts designed to help the organization cope with its current budget shortfall. Effective March 30, Metro will be forced to eliminate all bus service west of I-270 in West St. Louis County, implement significant service reductions and eliminations in North St. Louis County, and eliminate a significant amount of service inside and outside I-270 in South St. Louis County. Additional bus routes in the City of St. Louis will also be eliminated with many of the remaining Missouri routes operating with less frequency. While the planned service reductions were carefully designed to provide the best possible service to the commuting public, the cuts will result in limited access to transit services for many area residents looking to connect with major employment, health and entertainment centers throughout the region. To help lessen the impact on commuters, Metro is joining forces with RideFinders, Paraquad and the Transportation Management Association (TMA) to educate transit riders and impacted employers about the service cuts and transportation alternatives that can help keep displaced riders moving. Throughout March, the organizations are holding a series of informational events at targeted community locations and worksites across the metro area to provide commuters with information on specific routes being impacted. Commuters will have the opportunity to learn more about alternate transit routes they may able to take; carpool or vanpool options they can utilize through RideFinders and additional curb-to-curb transportation options that are available through the TMA for everyday commuters as well as those with disabilities. Paraquad and Metro will also be working jointly to help impacted riders with disabilities understand their options. Representatives of the participating organizations have been on hand at more than a dozen transit centers across the region and at several Park-Ride lots to provide information about their services. RideFinders and Metro are also scheduling dozens of meetings at employer locations where significant percentages of the workforce are transit dependent. Employers who are concerned about how the service cuts will impact their workforce are encouraged to contact RideFinders or Metro. Representatives from both organizations are available to come to their worksites and meet in person to discuss their specific commuting challenges and potential solutions. Those interested in scheduling an event can call Metro at 314-231-2345 or RideFinders at (800) VIP-RIDE, or visit the organizations online at www.metrostlouis.org or www.ridefinders.org. With transit use playing such a vital role in the fight to improve the region's air quality, The Partnership will continue to keep you up-to-date on the latest from Metro regarding the service cuts as information becomes available. Clean Air Partnership and Citizens for Modern Transit gear up for first-ever Eco Expo
The expo will feature a showcase of displays, booths and activities from various local companies and organizations that specialize in or offer sustainable or ecological products and services. Attendees will have the chance to walk through a model of a LEED-certified home, attend organic cooking demonstrations and participate in a variety of other activities focused on green living. Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) will be among the list of exhibitors at the event. The organization will host a special "Walk to the Expo" on April 18th, which encourages commuters from across the region to take MetroLink to the Central West End MetroLink station and walk to the Science Center for the event. The walk, which will coincide with the start of the organization’s Ten Toe Express walking tours for the spring season, is designed to demonstrate how individuals can integrate walking with public transit use to get around town and highlight the health and well-being benefits of doing so. Inside the event, CMT will host a Ten Toe Express registration table where area commuters will have the chance to sign up for the program and receive their walking kits onsite. The Partnership is also working to spread its message as part of the expo. We are currently teaming up with Emmis Communications for a series of radio ads promoting the event that feature clean air tips. Area residents will also have the chance to take the Clean Air Challenge on Emmis’ website for the chance to win tickets to an upcoming Cardinals game. During the event, The Partnership will have clean air tips on display at each floor section, which will highlight the clean air benefits of everything from recycling and water conservation to eating organic foods and choosing green fashions. In addition, the Partnership will reward the first 200 attendees who utilize transit to get to the expo with a clean air-themed reusable grocery bag. Other exhibitors taking part in the event include the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Missouri Botanical Garden, Laclede Gas and the Great Rivers Greenway District. The event will also feature a special presentation from environmental advocate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. on April 14th at 7 p.m. in the Science Center’s EXPLOREADOME. Admission to the Eco Expo is free, however; general admission tickets for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s presentation are $35. Additional information on the event is available at www.slsc.org. This should be a great event, and we hope you can make plans to attend. Tips to help you do your share for cleaner air this winterWhile the calendar says the start of spring is just around the corner, old man winter is likely to make another appearance in the St. Louis area before the warmer temperatures settle in. As the bitter winds blow, air quality typically isn't top of mind for most of us. And while it's true that the region doesn't have to deal with ozone pollution during the cold weather months, particulate matter pollution remains a concern, making it critical for individuals to do their share for cleaner air year-round. In these final days of winter, there are a variety of steps you can take to help the region breathe easier and reduce your overall environmental impact:
The steps you choose to take during the winter months 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 www.cleanair-stlouis.com. Or call the American Lung Association at 1-800-LUNG-USA. |
St. Louisans in search of tools and information to help them live a greener life will have to look no further than the St. Louis Science Center this spring. On April 18th and 19th, the St. Louis Science Center, in conjunction with Emmis Communications and the Missouri Botanical Garden, will host Eco Expo, a special event designed to educate area residents on the many ways they can live, work and play in a way that’s friendly to the environment. 