Hi! My name is Donna.
I chase clean air.
In July 2006, after observing black soot build on my windowsill, I chose to stop accepting poor Los Angeles air quality, and start exploring clean air destinations, products and advocacy work, instead.
My journey started on a mountaintop veiled by city smog when winds whispered,
"Let's go! Out of Los Angeles and into the world, chasing clean air, beauty, and a sustainable life!"
At first, I fumbled onto the clean air road. Tripped over climate change. Wrestled fear. Fought back BIG black flies.
It turned out that the cleanest air occurred in The Bush where bored residents routinely came up with crazy ideas that involved guests signing liability forms.
In case of loss of life.
Or limb.
Big city skills never came in handy. Nor make-up.
Or spiked-heels.
Chasing Clean Air tells my story: From fear to exhilaration and clean air.
Over 1,400 articles highlighting:
- Clean Air Getaways
- Adventures
- Smog & Your Health
- Solutions to Air Pollution
- Starting Over: From Perfume to Bug Spray. High Heels To Hiking Boots.
According to the American Lung Association, 186.1 million Americans breath toxic air. Asthma, allergies, and cardiovascular disease are rising. So...
- Build your defenses!
- Eat your veggies!
- Exercise to stay strong!
- And read Chasing Clean Air to remain informed.
I'm the "canary in the coal mine" telling the air quality truth as I breathe it. I interview locals & experts about natural and man-made pollution, and share surprise toxic hot-spots and hidden gems that only locals know.
Armed with information we're prepared to plan healthier vacations and next moves. Otherwise marketers, even a few NGOs, may lead us astray toward environmental pollution.
If this is you...
"Enough smog! Enough traffic! Give me clean air!"
Join tens of thousands of clean air seekers and turn your adventure on!
Let's go!
Life is an adventure! Breathe easy!
Chasing Clean Air's "Clean Air British Columbia" series was nominated for the 2009 Tourism Media Award for outstanding contribution to BC tourism. Chasing Clean Air is also offered at Amazon's Kindle Store.
Chasing Clean Air Mission Statement
To inform, engage, and inspire sensitive individuals
to reach beyond
the world's growing Smog-belt to
breathe
clean air.
HOW TO USE THIS SITE
- Search function on the upper right panel: Type in an area you'd like to explore, a topic of concern, or a travel gear item to consider such as "Alaska" "Canada" "Palm Springs" "Air Quality Maui" "hiking boots" "Vasque". If I wrote about it, article(s) shall appear.
- Categories include clean air getaways, travel gear, environmental pollution and your health, clean cars and energy, clean book and movie reviews covering the environment and adventures in nature.
Access popular categories under top banner. Occasionally, I switch them so check back to see what's trending.
Clean Air Getaways, Health, (impacts of transportation, agriculture, pulp mills, burning, and natural sources like vog), Clean Cars (hybrids, all-electric, high-fuel mileage, and clean diesel), Ask Donna (Q & A about air pollution challenges) and TV.
NOTE: After an injury that psychologically I am not over, I'm mostly CARLESS in the city. Let's minimize smog-producing and anger-inducing traffic congestion, and avoid accident-prone distracted drivers, ruining lives. Get out of our cars! As much as possible.
To date, Chasing Clean Air represents my search through the West, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Northeast, British Columbia and Alberta, Canada. Guest bloggers reviewed Singapore, Greece, and Austria.
This clean air blog has been self-supported and 99.9% written by me--unbiased and original.
Chasing Clean Air is #1 Google-ranked clean air blog exploring clean air destinations and solutions to air pollution.
MY CLEAN AIR CORNERS
You Tube/Chasing Clean Air- Find clean air videos.
Several of my favorite clean air photos
All content on Chasing Clean Air is Copyright © 2006-2022 Donna Barnett. WRITTEN PERMISSION is needed to republish any material on chasingcleanair.com.
All photography on Chasing Clean Air Copyright © 2006-2022 Donna Barnett unless indicated otherwise.
For more information about copyright, click here.
DONNA'S CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Clean Air Advocate - I am an outsider, not part of one organization. Therefore, my perspective is steeped in appreciation of man and nature's whole, the interconnected parts: air, water, trees, and wildlife.
Chasing Clean Air TV - In 2012, PBS stations signed on for a 13-episode Chasing Clean Air TV series but an injury accident derailed my life for a few years. When I resumed "normal" life (really never "normal" because of my anxiety around our pervasive car culture), my sponsor was gone, as was my momentum. Nonetheless, I shot, edited, and hosted an episode about Three Rivers and Sequoia National Park that aired on a local PBS station and online, which you can watch here. In show opening, I hope you enjoy Chasing Clean Air's original climate change theme song composed by the talented Paul Maylsa.
Creators Syndicate - Since 2014, contributing travel writer at Creators Syndicate, North America's largest newspaper syndicate. Sample work Discover Tule Elk at Point Reyes National Seashore and Romancing Alaska's Wild: Denali
Contributor Sierra Club - Mendocino's Magnificent World
Chasing Clean Air YouTube Channel - No longer updated.
Chasing Clean Air radio no longer accessible but sure enjoyed.
I use my voice to testify for stricter ozone standards at California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hearings.
Lecturer, California State University at Fullerton - "Feature Story Writing"
Reporter, Forbes Magazine (I worked for the legendary auto journalist/managing editor with a twinkle in his eye, Jerry Flint)
Reporter/Stringer, CNN "Good News Show"
Ghostwriter, Risk to Win: A Woman's Guide to Success published by Macmillan.
Founder, The Barnett Company, my former public relations boutique agency representing over 50 companies in technology, health care, environmental and consumer goods industries.
PERSONAL
Conservation of the wild is my highest value.
Meditation daily 30+ years for clarity and calmness.
Buy local almost always.
Workout daily; I love hiking!
Love to dance, read, write, and play classical and jazz piano. Recently took up the guitar and banjo.
I was raised in the city of San Francisco where I walked or took buses to public schools; I still love taking buses. As a family we camped, frequenting Yosemite National Park.
I have never felt entitled, and don't care to be around people who do, especially those prioritizing unnecessary consumption of natural resources. Bigger is not better. Living sustainably is.
DONNA'S EDUCATION
Master of Professional Writing, University of Southern California
Bachelor of Arts, Literature, University of California at San Diego
Speaking engagements can be requested by email. Topics include: Chasing Clean Air, Finding Dirty Water; Environmental Pollutants and Your Health: What You Need To Know; Climate Change: Illustrated Stories On the Road to Clean Air
Disclaimer:
All products and destinations on this site were chosen by me. Most product, transportation, and destination reviews were paid for by me.
Occasionally, I am introduced to a product or destination by a company or tourist bureau but I only review products and destinations I deem worthy for Chasing Clean Air. This broadens my reach and offers readers additional clean air options.
