"Every American expects and deserves clean air, and [when] we act on that belief, we will set an example for the rest of the world to follow.

-George H. W. Bush, 1989

Thanks to advocacy by Mothers and Others for Clean Air, Governor Kemp signed a proclamation that May is Clean Air Month in Georgia to highlight the vital role of clean air to our health, the environment, and our economy. We partnered this month to learn and advocate for cleaner air!

Protecting Outdoor Air Quality

Take 2 important actions. Just 5 minutes total!

1. Anyone who has been on our highways know that a huge number of heavy duty trucks travel through our city and state leaving pollution behind. Just how much is alarming! Heavy duty vehicles are responsible for 28% of the greenhouse gases and 57% of the fine particulates (sometimes called PM 2.5) that are produced by the transportation sector. PM 2.5 particles are associated with many health effects, such as premature death, premature birth, heart disease and asthma. 

Right now, the Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a rule to reduce pollution from heavy duty trucks and is taking public comments. This is our chance to make a difference and ask that these trucks be electrified!

2. Electrifying our vehicles will only get us where we need to be if the electricity comes from clean and renewable sources. If you haven't done so already, send in a comment to our Georgia Public Service Commission to Convert to Clean, Renewable Energy and off Dirty Fossil Fuels. If you did this last month, ask a friend to do the same!!

Protecting Indoor Air Quality

People spend about 90 percent of their time indoors according to the EPA. Some pollution is often found inside people’s homes at levels that are 2-5 times higher than outdoor amounts.

Mothers & Others for Clean Air created a Healthy Indoor Breathing Toolkit to help you clean up the air you breathe indoors. They designed it with easy-to-use sections to teach you ways to keep the air in your home free of harmful chemicals.

Finally..Vote!!!

The candidates for Public Service Commission and DeKalb County Commissioners are on the ballot...these positions are important for climate!  Here are the sample ballots. We are happy to give you our opinion about a specific candidate...just email decaturclimate@gmail.com.  

Remember, Advocacy is the Most Important Thing You Can Do to Clean Up the Air We Breathe!