09 Sep 10 Reasons to Help Spare The Air
The annual Spare The Air program educates Sacramento region residents and businesses about air quality issues affecting our communities.
When gas emissions from cars and trucks mix with the sun’s powerful ultraviolet rays, ground-level ozone (smog) is formed. Smog is a form of air pollution that can lead to negative long-term health impacts like asthma. The Sacramento region’s unique geography can also cause smog to get trapped and prevent it from dissipating. Sounds serious, right? That’s because it is.
The most important reasons to help Spare The Air are to reduce air pollution, protect the health of our community, and create a better, cleaner future for all.
The simplest way to reduce smog is to drive less by:
- Carpooling
- Taking transit
- Grouping errands together
- Walking, biking, or rolling to work or school
There are also plenty of fun and rewarding reasons to do your part to help Spare The Air:
✨ Stargazing – Summer is ending soon! Have you gone stargazing yet? Air pollution can make it more difficult to see stars in the night sky. Help reduce smog to get the best view possible!
🐦 Bird–Watching – Did you know that most of the rice in the state is grown in the Sacramento region? Rice fields provide crucial wetlands to millions of migrating birds. Clearer skies and healthier ecosystems from reduced pollution can mean clearer and more frequent sightings.
⛰️ Hiking Views – Ground-level ozone can make the horizon hazy, obscuring your view. When you help reduce air pollution, you help protect your scenic views, as well as help yourself capture.
🍂 Better Fall Photos – Autumn is the perfect time to pumpkin-spice up your Instagram! Lower levels of air pollution mean clearer backdrops to help your shots stand out.
🏃 Morning Runs – Cool mornings might be perfect for a jog, but smog makes your lungs work harder. Help Spare The Air so every mile feels a little easier.
⚽ Outdoor Sports – Whether it’s soccer practice, Friday night football, or a game of tag with friends, lowered levels of air pollution from helping Spare The Air can keep you in the game longer.
🍎 Weekend Markets – Farmers markets are an excellent way to help reduce air pollution! Locally grown produce doesn’t have to travel as far, making it much more air-quality-friendly.
🌳 Family Park Days – Cleaner air makes picnics, playgrounds, and walks with your friends and family healthier for everyone.
💡 Better Focus – High levels of air pollution can make it harder to think clearly. Whether you’re trying to ace your finals or nail a presentation for work, helping Spare The Air can help you reach your goals.
🐶 Honorary Scooter Scout – Did you know that Spare The Air has its own mascot, Scooter? He has his own website full of information for kids (and kids at heart) to learn about air pollution. When you act consciously to help Spare The Air, you become an honorary Scooter Scout!
By helping Spare The Air, you take action to protect our health, strengthen our community, and improve our region’s future. Every small choice to drive less helps cut down on smog and keeps our skies clearer, our bodies healthier, and our days more enjoyable.
