This week, ECOS member agencies spotlighted a variety of air quality activities as part of Air Quality Awareness Week 2024. With a theme this year of Knowing Your Air, states focused on highlighting available resources for residents to incorporate air quality knowledge into their daily living.
To kick off the week, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources noted the importance of spending time outdoors for both mental health and physical fitness. The agency shared six tips for residents on how they can help Iowa’s air quality and safely enjoy the outdoors.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, & Energy (EGLE) and New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) both shared “Interviews with a Meteorologist” to give residents a peek behind the curtain of how air monitoring and air quality forecasting works. EGLE’s interview featured Alec Kownacki, one of the department’s meteorologists, who discussed how Michiganders can keep informed and know what to do if air quality advisories or alerts are issued. DEC’s interview highlighted the recent strengthening of particulate pollution standards, and explained how residents might see a change in their Air Quality Index readings as a result. NYSDEC also will feature air quality on the next DEC Does What?! podcast episode.
As part of Air Quality & Climate day on May 8, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) spotlighted its 2024 report showing that between 2005 and 2020, the state reduced net greenhouse gas emissions by 38%. DEQ also promoted its Air Quality Blog series, which highlights several common sources of PM2.5 data to educate citizens on how to use various tools to understand and assess their local air quality conditions.
The Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation showcased how it is developing creative strategies for addressing air quality issues through the Tennessee Volunteer Emission Reduction Strategy, funded by EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program. Under the blueprint, Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville will implement plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants.
