The Clean Air Campaign Introduces Inaugural Clean Commute Week Oct. 24-28

Oct. 7, 2011 - PRLog -- (ATLANTA)The Clean Air Campaign challenges K-12 schools across the state to raise awareness of clean commute options and to explore ways to reduce the number of idling cars in the school zone during Clean Commute Week Oct. 24-28.

Clean Commute Week encourages Georgia schools to share the benefits of commute alternatives with their school community for five days, emphasizing four clean commute modes of transportation: riding the bus, biking, walking and carpooling.  Clean Air Schools participants can also align program activities with this week, launching their education campaign or announcing their Clean Air School program.

“We are excited to introduce Clean Commute Week and expect it to be a fun, engaging activity for schools statewide to learn about clean commuting and the impact it can have on air quality,” said Gretchen Gigley, director of education at The Clean Air Campaign. “Poor air quality represents a continuing health hazard to children, especially those with chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma.  An event like Clean Commute Week is a great way to educate students on how to improve the air we breathe.”

Schools can challenge students to use the highlighted mode of transportation each day and to log the number of clean trips they use for the week. This will help to document the number of vehicle miles reduced from the road and the amount of pollution they are eliminating from the air we breathe. Clean Commute Week toolkits are available online with resources and fun ideas for schools to use throughout the week.  BAIR, the Clean Air Bear, will also make surprise visits to a few of the participating schools.

“We look forward to seeing how Georgia schools creatively empower students to make a positive impact on the environment,” said Gigley. “One example that we suggest is for schools to identify a visible area where they can create a Clean Commute Hall of Fame to highlight and measure students’ involvement. We feel that this a not only a fantastic way for schools to learn about clean commute options, but to also kick off their Clean Air Schools program, which helps to  increase the use of commute alternatives throughout the school year.”

Georgia schools or parents interested in receiving Clean Commute Week resources or joining the Clean Air Schools program can visit CleanAirCampaign.org/Schools. For exclusive information about The Clean Air Campaign, follow @CleanAirGa on Twitter and find The Clean Air Campaign on Facebook at Facebook.com/CleanAirCampaign.

About The Clean Air Campaign
The Clean Air Campaign is a not-for-profit organization that works with more than 1,600 Georgia employers, tens of thousands of commuters and more than 300 K-12 schools to encourage actions that result in less traffic congestion and better air quality.  In conducting these programs, The Clean Air Campaign works in partnership with The Georgia Department of Transportation.

The Clean Air Campaign, along with partner organizations, creates customized commute options programs for employers; provides assistance and financial incentives to commuters that enable the use of commute alternatives; and empowers students, parents and teachers to play a positive role in reducing traffic and improving air quality through an action-oriented school program.  The Clean Air Campaign also protects public health by distributing Smog Alert notifications.

Each day, these programs reduce 1.4 million miles of vehicle travel and keep 700 tons of pollution out of the air we breathe.  For more information, call 1-877-CLEANAIR (1-877-253-2624) or visit CleanAirCampaign.org.

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