Discourse for all interested in all things air-quality related
Once again, California cities occupy the top five spots in terms of having the nation’s sootiest and smoggiest air, according to the American Lung Association (ALA) as detailed in its “State of the Air 2015” report. For daily PM 2.5 (fine particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers across), the number 1 through 5 spots are: … Read more
While others have their definitions, I have my own ideas of what constitutes automobility. What automobility means to me is anything that provides mobility, motion initiated by some external or internal means of power or force, inertia, of course, being overcome. Such a broad definition, I know. There are many, many methods to make automobility … Read more
The thought of that dreaded commute. No commuter looks forward to a commute experience fraught with bumper-to-bumper traffic inching ever-so-slowly forward. Yet, for many, this is exactly the routine such motorists wedded to the automobile must endure day in and day out (twice per day in most cases) for five of seven days each week. … Read more
The name of the game: reducing pollution. Various air-pollution-reduction strategies will be presented throughout this series. Obviously many, many more exist than what are being offered here. But, each and every one presented has value and benefits air quality, even if the benefit is but a minor one. Meanwhile, the two presented today – indoor … Read more
Monday, April 27th is the Air Quality Awareness Week 2015 kickoff. AQAW runs through Friday, May 1st. The way I see it, Air Quality Awareness Week is an occasion with a two-fold purpose: 1) raise awareness of air issues; and 2) disseminate widely, information that is both practical and valuable with the singular goal of … Read more
For two years I’ve written about Earth Day on Earth Day (Apr. 22nd) and I figure: why should this year be different?! Witness “Earth Day 2014: ‘Conserve’ is the word” and “Earth Day 2013: The view of one interested observer.” So, here is this year’s Earth Day message. I never know exactly what I’m going … Read more
As I write this with Earth Day just around the corner, I can’t help but think this thought: Without pollution in our air, would there still be air-quality-related matters to report, write about or comment on? Oh, I suppose there still would be but at the same time I suspect that written accounts on the … Read more
A lot can happen in a year. Sometimes little can happen in a year’s time and it has, that is, air-quality-wise in California’s San Joaquin Valley, apparently. And, that can be good or bad news. It just depends on one’s point of view. The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (air district) is out … Read more
This is the 21st century, is it not? The reason behind my asking is because in this day and age, one would think outdoor burning of yard clippings and trimmings would be outlawed, especially in California, a state with some of the most stringent air-quality regulations anywhere. Well, in the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa … Read more
The winter of 2014-’15: I remember it well; like it was yesterday. Sure was a doozy! But, glad that’s all behind, in the rear-view mirror. Ah spring! It is definitely in the air. That has a nice sound to it, doesn’t it? Quite the metaphor, too, no? Let’s be clear. Spring is suggestive of, if … Read more