San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties residents are invited to participate in the fifth annual California Clean Air Day on October 5, 2022, as the annual event focuses on air quality, especially in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color, which are disproportionately impacted by poor air quality. Designed around individual actions, this statewide event allows millions of participants to take part via a simple, online pledge of at least one action that will help clean our air.
“Back to back to back record-breaking, climate induced wildfire seasons have impacted the health of millions of Central Coast residents” explained Dr. Joseph Lyou, President & CEO, Coalition for Clean Air. “But for far too many, poor air quality is a fact of life they experience on a year round basis. On Clean Air Day, businesses, government agencies, and individuals can all join in to make sure the benefits of breathing clean air can be shared by everyone.
”While wildfires and the resulting air quality impacts remind us of the need to do our part, the reality is that we can all do our part. Clean Air Day is an accessible opportunity that allows for virtual and in-person participation, as well as the ability for businesses, schools, government agencies, and other organizations to sign up to engage their members, students, employees, and customers to encourage participation.
“Quality of life in San Luis Obispo is intrinsic to the region’s appeal to residents and tourists alike, so protecting our region’s air quality is a business issue, not just an environmental one,” said Jim Dantona, President and CEO of the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce. “People always talk about the need to focus on Clean Air for LA and San Francisco, but we need to stay vigilant to ensure the health of families that live in and visit the Central Coast for generations to come.”
“The Monterey Bay Air Resources is dedicated to improving and maintaining the air quality in our three-county region to protect public health and the environment,” added Executive Officer Richard Stedman, “We’re proud to partner with the Coalition for Clean Air to get residents and businesses to take action for Clean Air Day and hope that it catalyzes residents to make life-long changes to improve air quality and prevent climate change in our communities”
Hosted by the Coalition for Clean Air with partners across the state, Clean Air Day is led locally by a diverse group of government, business and nonprofit representatives. Air pollution disproportionately impacts the health of people of color, low-income communities, and those who are sick, very young, or very old.