Chasing Clean Air

2009 State of the Air Report: 186.1 million Americans Breathe Dangerous Air

Despite a growing green movement the state of the air in most American cities got worse, according to the 2009 Sate of the Air Report put out by the American Lung Association today. 186.1 million Americans live in areas where air pollution levels endanger lives. One in six Americans breathes air filthy enough to send residents to emergency rooms. The State of the Air report, found at www.stateoftheair.org, includes a national air quality “report card” that assigns A-F grades to communities across the country. The report also ranks cities and counties most affected by the three most widespread types of pollution (ozone—or smog, annual particle pollution, and 24-hour particle pollution levels) and details trends for 900 counties over the past decade. “This should be a wakeup call. We know that air pollution is a major threat to human health,” said Stephen J. Nolan, American Lung Association National Board Chair. To read report, click here.

To follow my search for clean air in areas near and far, as well as companies making a positive difference, subscribe to the Chasing Clean Air RSS feed. Photo is aerial shot of Los Angeles I took while flying in August 2007.

Writing Retreat

I'm on a writing retreat, working on a book outline and may not post frequently for the next few days. But I'll review a local getaway for Southern Californians later this week so check back soon.

Last Saturday, I went to the LA Times Book Festival at UCLA, which was interesting: The publishing business is changing faster than anyone can know.

Based on the tens of thousands of people at festival, it's evident that people still love books and book authors.

Another evident fact: With the advent of the internet, the playing field has been leveled.

We're light years ahead of white men in tailored suits who ruled publishing as the gatekeepers, saying yeah or nay to eager wannabe authors who flooded their thrones. Back in that day, talent was developed mostly around their mirror image, in other words, the white male. 

Earth Day Every Day

One strange thing this earth day,  I think about how I've had earth day every day since growing up  in eco-conscious San Francisco. And now, in this expanding go green moment, everyone's jumped on the low carbon wagon, I mean, Prius.

The world caught up.

No surprise San Francisco was the first American city to outlaw plastic bags in grocery stores.

Earth Day 2009 Clean-Up California State Parks

Without doubt the best part of California is our beaches, mountains, vibrant spirit and State Parks.

Let's clean 'em up!

For Earth Day 2009 you can help clean our parks by joining a Restoration & Cleanup volunteer group on Saturday, April 25, 2009.

Click here for information about a group near you.

Earth Day

The first Earth Day in 1970 drew enthusiasm from millions residing in New York to California.

As a result, Nixon formed the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, signed the Clean Air Act, The Clean Water Act, the Pesticide Control Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act, which all became law by the end of 1974.

You see, enthusiasm is contagious. Something we can all harness for the greater good.

Dolphins Play!

Taking the Catalina Cruiser to Santa Catalina Island on Saturday, I enjoyed hundreds of dolphins playing in the Pacific! And now you can too. If you enjoyed this post, make sure to subscribe to the Chasing Clean Air RSS feed!