Learn what you can do to reduce air pollution.
As a Bay Area resident, there are a number of things you can do to reduce air pollution:
Drive Less
The most important thing is to drive less - take public transit, carpool, bike, or walk whenever you can to get to work, shopping, or wherever you need to go. 511.org and stacommutetips.org are good resources for finding a way to go places without using your car.
Burn Less Wood
In the wintertime, burning less wood can make a big difference in local air quality and helps protect the health of your family and neighbors. It is illegal in the Bay Area to burn wood when a Winter Spare the Air Alert is in effect.
Spare the Air
The Air District’s Spare the Air website provides many tips and resources for reducing air pollution.
You can also find out if air quality is forecast to be unhealthy by signing up to receive Spare the Air alert notifications. You can receive these by email or by downloading the Spare the Air app for the iPhone or Android. Winter Spare the Air alerts are also available by automated phone call.
You can also connect with the Air District’s Spare the Air program on Facebook, Twitter or Google for the most up-to-date air quality information.
Get Involved
If you are interested in air quality issues, consider getting involved with an Air District Spare the Air Resource Team in your community. Since 1991, Spare the Air Resource Teams have brought together local civic groups, agencies, businesses, and environmental organizations to work on projects that promote cleaner air.
You can also invite an Air District staff person to your local community meeting, scouts group, club, school, or organization to discuss local air quality issues.
If you are a student in the Bay Area, join the Air District’s Spare the Air Youth program and present your ideas on improving air quality and the environment to your peers!
Finally, you can keep up with Air District activities by signing up for the Air District’s electronic newsletter and email notifications.