This summer, Arkansas has experienced extreme temperatures and excessive heat warnings across much of the state. With hot weather and humidity blanketing us, many of us have expressed concerns about air quality, particularly in our industrialized and more densely populated cities. Some have asked, "Is it safe for children or seniors to spend time outside?" Others have wondered, "What about those with chronic lung conditions like asthma?"
Fortunately, Arkansas has been taking proactive steps to ensure clean air for its citizens. And in Central Arkansas, we're seeing the health, environmental and economic benefits of these public outreach efforts firsthand.
Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its annual report on air quality. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler hailed the report, saying, "One of America's great but untold environmental success stories is that we have made--and continue to make--great improvements in our air quality." To bolster his agency's findings, he went on to cite significant decreases in emissions of key air pollutants across the U.S., including a 21 percent reduction in ground-level ozone between 1990 and 2018.
For several years now, Central Arkansas has been at the forefront of our nation's air-quality initiatives. Metroplan, with the help of partners at the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, Arkansas Department of Health, and Arkansas Department of Transportation, has promoted our annual Ozone Action Days in Faulkner, Lonoke, Pulaski and Saline counties.
This public awareness campaign is focused on educating residents about the harmful effects of ground-level ozone. The goal: to encourage them to take voluntary emission reduction actions to help keep our region in compliance with federal air-quality standards.
Every year, thousands of citizens in Central Arkansas pledge to ditch their keys in the name of air quality. From May to September, they use alternate modes of transportation like biking, walking and taking the bus to commute to work or school. Metroplan applauds these individuals for their tireless support of Ozone Action Days.
But we also recognize that we can--and should--do more to inspire additional residents to get involved with this public campaign.
That's why Metroplan is switching its tactics. This Ozone Action Days, we're encouraging Central Arkansans to take small actions to help reduce ground-level ozone. Now through September, we hope they will carpool to meetings, walk to lunch, or even incorporate telecommuting into their weekly work schedules.
These acts may only seem like minor adjustments to normal routines. But, over time, these changes can make a significant and long-lasting impact on our region's air quality.
This Ozone Action Days, we urge all Central Arkansans to leave the car keys at home and commit to cleaner air at ditchthekeys.com.
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Tab Townsell is the executive director of Metroplan, an association of local governments that serves as a regional voice on issues affecting Central Arkansas. For more information, visit metroplan.org.
Editorial on 08/26/2019