California Clean Air Day is a statewide initiative led by the Coalition for Clean Air that encourages individuals and organizations to take the Clean Air Pledge. The goal of Clean Air Day is to improve the air quality in our communities for the health and safety of future generations.
MCE celebrated Clean Air Day on October 2 with the Pittsburg Unified School District at their Clean Air Day Celebration Fair, where we met with students and the community to talk about the importance of clean air. The event coincided with a Spare the Air Alert due to excessive heat. Excessive heat events can raise local air pollution levels to unhealthy levels, especially for young children, seniors, and those with respiratory or heart conditions. To protect everyone’s health, the fair was moved indoors, providing us with an opportunity to educate attendees on how to stay safe during a Spare the Air Alert, such as avoiding outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day.
We also shared tips to reduce energy usage and practical ways the community can contribute to cleaner air year-round, like walking or biking instead of driving. The fair was a great opportunity to highlight the school district’s efforts to reduce emissions by installing solar panels and batteries at several campuses and by electrifying their transportation fleet. These initiatives improve air quality and set an example for long-term sustainability. It was an inspiring day filled with learning and fun!
The Pittsburg Unified School District received a microgrant from the Coalition for Clean Air for the fair and a Clean Air Pledge contest. We’re also proud to recognize other local organizations in our service area that received microgrants to support community events and activities promoting clean air: Napa Climate NOW! engaged with the public from a booth at the UC Master Gardeners Fall Faire; and San Anselmo Climate Action Commission and Children for Change bolstered their student education campaign.
Promoting clean air is something we can do all year long. By supporting renewable energy, electrification, and making small, everyday choices to reduce emissions, we can create lasting and positive change for a healthier, more sustainable future. Through collective action, California Clean Air Day fosters habits to ensure fresh, breathable air for communities across the state.
Blog by Madeline Sarvey
