Air Quality in the OKC Metro
Today as I was driving to work an ozone alert was announced over the radio. This was the first time I’d heard of an ozone alert. It sounded serious because the announcer was encouraging people to carpool or ride public transportation also the variable message sign was flashing warnings of harmful ozone levels. Perhaps it was naïve of me to not know how ozone could be harmful, but I had no clue. I thought that ozone was a good thing because it was one of our earth’s unique features that allowed life to thrive. However ground-level ozone, what it’s referred to when it’s close to earth’s surface is a harmful pollutant
Ground-level ozone is created when specific chemicals interact with nitrogen and sunlight. The chemicals are created by: cars, buses, industry, utility companies, gas stations, print shops, paint stores, cleaners, and off-road equipment like planes, trains and construction and lawn and garden equipment. Dangerous levels of ground-level ozone can cause choking, coughing and stinging eyes. It can damage lung tissue, exacerbate respiratory disease, and could lead to respiratory infections. It is particularly dangerous to children and the elderly but all outdoor activity should be avoided.
CART, the public transportation in Norman, offers free transportation on Ozone Alert days. However, neither Metro Transit or City Link, OKC or Edmond public transportation, offer the same service. Taking advantage of public transportation often is just one way you can help prevent harmful amounts of ozone. Other options include gasing up at night, avoid idling in your vehicle, and avoid gas powered lawn equipment. For more tips visit the Get Square programs website.
Get Square is a really cool program sponsored by the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments or ACOG. This clean air campaign encourages individuals to adopt a way of life that would keep their square of air clean.
Greenest Cities
While trolling the internet this morning to catch up on the day’s news I found an interesting list produced by Siemens, the German based Engineering Conglomerate. The list was compiled by using methodology developed by The Economist Intelligence Unit in cooperation Siemens and independent city experts. Cities in North America were judged on CO2, Energy, Land Use, Buildings, Transport, Water, Waste, Air and Environmental Governance. 27 major cities in the U.S. and Canada were listed from strongest to weakest in each of the categories and then overall.I know you’re all dying to know where your city falls in the mix, so here’s a link to the list.
Recycling Electronics
As an avid “recycler“ and someone striving to live a more Eco-friendly life, I’m always on the look out for environmental news. For anyone who’s ever wondered what to do with that old TV, now you can recycle it. Texas Governor Rick Perry signed a bill that will require television manufacturers who sell TVs in Texas to offer free recycling programs for Lone Star consumers. The bill was passed last week. This new bill will keep electronic waste, heavy metals and other toxic materials from decorating road sides or being dumped in landfills. According to Ecogeek.org this law will force manufacturers to “have a better plan” for TVs “at the end of their life cycle, and possibly even start making them with safer materials.” As a Texan (please don’t hold it against me), I’m glad to see my home state taking steps to be more green but what about my other home state, Oklahoma? Oklahomans who are looking to recycle their old TVs can take them to any Best Buy store. The electronics retailer will recycle almost any electronic device at any of their stores across the nation. They also have a trade-in program that allows you to trade video games, DVD players, game consoles and other electronics for Best Buy gift cards. There are numerous other companies that also accept electronics for recycling. I love that target has containers near the check out section for recycling one of them being small electronics. Other businesses that take recycled electronics are listed here on the EPA‘s website. So check it out before you dump your electronics in the trashcan.
