© 2007 Clean Air NY. All rights reserved.

Clean Air NYClean Air NYChampions – Town of BabylonChampions – Town of Babylon

June 3, 2011

Jessica Horne, Clean Air NY

Sponsored by the New York State Department of Transportation

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Who is Clean Air NY?Who is Clean Air NY?

•Network of individuals, employers, employees and community organizations in the New York metro area

•Sponsored by the New York State Department of Transportation

•Participating is free and easy-- we provide you with everything you need

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Every Day Choices Make a Difference Every Day Choices Make a Difference

An Employer Can:

• Announce Air Quality Action Days

• Develop a Telecommute Policy

• Develop a Commuter Benefits Program

• Provide Lunch

• Spread the Word

Encourage Employees To:

•Refuel After Dark

•Walk or Bike

•Take Public Transportation

•Carpool or Vanpool

•Spread the Word

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Small Actions= Big EffectsSmall Actions= Big Effects

• Each year, public transportation use saves the equivalent of 34 supertankers of oil, or a supertanker leaving the Middle East every 11 days.

• Public transportation reduces the nation’s carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually. To achieve similar results, every household in NYC, Washington DC, Atlanta, Denver and LA combined would have to completely stop using electricity.

• Leaving your car at home just two days a week will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1,600 pounds per year.

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The Trees Can’t Keep Up!The Trees Can’t Keep Up!

1 mile = 1 pound CO2 1 pound CO2 =

1 month into O2

1 Amazing Tree Facts. 2004. Northwest Territories Forest Management - Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 6 January 2009 <http://forestmanagement.enr.gov.nt.ca/forest_education/amazing_tree_facts.htm>

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Air Quality Action DaysAir Quality Action Days

•Predicts air quality in the unhealthy range for sensitive groups

• It's a day all about helping your members make smart choices that reduce air pollution

•Encourage actions such as:• Driving less

• Refueling after dark

• Carpooling

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Metro NY Region in the Thick of Air PollutionMetro NY Region in the Thick of Air Pollution

•We are classified as a non-attainment area!

•Ozone is the major component of urban smog• High levels can be expected May through

September

•Particulate Matter contributes to the problem

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•Negative Health Effects• 42% of New Yorkers indicated that air pollution affects

the health of at least one member of their household

• Children in New York City were almost twice as likely to be hospitalized for asthma as children in the U.S. as a whole

•Quality of Life Issues

Why Do We Care?Why Do We Care?

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Clean Air NY and Employer Partners Clean Air NY and Employer Partners

•Any organizations can join

•Employer Partners agree to distribute air quality information – Air Quality Action Day Updates - and encourage employees to take other actions aimed at reducing air pollution

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What to Expect from Clean Air NY What to Expect from Clean Air NY

•Program Support

•Air Quality Action Day Updates

•The Latest Breeze Newsletter

•Education Materials

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What if I Want to Do More?What if I Want to Do More?

•A Champion is an employer who goes above and beyond

•Exemplify good corporate citizenship and receive additional recognition and publicity

•2007 Cone Consumer Environmental Survey on CSR

Become a Clean Air NY Champion

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What Does A Clean Air NY Champion Do? What Does A Clean Air NY Champion Do?

1. Air Quality Action Day Updates

2. Internal Promotion

3. External Promotion

4. Newly Implemented Commute Alternative Program (aka – “Claim to Fame”)

5. Use NY Rideshare as a resource

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Concerns About GreenwashingConcerns About Greenwashing

• Greenwash (green'wash', -wôsh') – verb: is a term used to describe the practice of companies spinning their product lines as being environmentally friendly as a means to appeal to consumers, persuading them to buy that product rather than another or accept a change in a product. This can mean misleading a customer into thinking an aspect of the product is good for the environment when in reality it is merely a cost cutting method for the company.1

1 Wikipedia.com - Definition of Greenwash

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Additional RecognitionAdditional Recognition

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Join Our Online CommunitiesJoin Our Online Communities

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Commit to Cleaner AirCommit to Cleaner Air

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What’s the Incentive?What’s the Incentive?

Clean Air NY = Good Business

•Good Air Quality + Less Traffic = Money for Roads and Transit

•Corporate Social Responsibility

•Less Stressed, More Productive Employees

•Improved Recruiting and Retention Let employees know simple changes could

mean more cash and less stress!

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Clean Air NY. Breathe it in.Clean Air NY. Breathe it in.

Become an Employer Partner or

Clean Air NY Champion today!

•Visit us at CleanAirNY.org for more info

•Call 1-877-ILUVAIR (1-877-458-8247)or email info@CleanAirNY.org