Clean Air Month in Columbia

May is Clean Air Month, a yearly opportunity to learn about the relationship between climate change, clean air, and public health and learn what we can do to improve air quality in our community and across the world.

The roots of this awareness stretch back to the 1972 passage of the Clean Air Act, a landmark United States federal law designed to control air pollution through creation of air quality standards and regulation of hazardous airborne pollutants. Already, the Clean Air Act has avoided thousands of cases of health concerns across the country. In Columbia, our Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) works to advance initiatives that continue the spirit of this act through promoting cleaner air and a healthier environment for all residents. 

Columbia’s CAAP is primarily based around the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which are gases that absorb energy in our atmosphere, slowing or preventing the loss of heat from Earth to space. While the greenhouse effect helps keep Earth’s temperature comfortable, human activity like burning fossil fuels to power our homes and vehicles increases our GHG emissions, causing climate impacts like rising temperatures and increased risk of storms and wildfires.

Source: EPA

Increased emissions and their climate impacts – like temperature and precipitation – also increase air pollutants, harmful substances that can lead to or worsen health problems like lung and heart diseases. Outdoor air pollutants can also enter buildings (or be produced within buildings, like through use of gas stoves) and can be linked to similar health issues.

There are three primary ways that climate change impacts air quality and public health:

1. Indoor and outdoor air pollution: As we reduce unnecessary and/or dangerous substances into our environment, air pollutants like ground-level ozone and particulate matter lead to worsened public health outcomes. Ozone can worsen symptoms like bronchitis and asthma, and particle pollution from factories, cars and trucks, and construction sites can cause irritation and disease.
2. Wildfire smoke: A changing climate has led to more frequent, intense wildfires, and a longer wildfire season. In Missouri, the past four years have already seen a serious increase pollution from wildfire smoke, which can cause health effects from nose, eye, and lung irritation to increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Wildfire smoke can impact areas far beyond burning areas, with Canada’s high wildfire rate in 2023 heavily impacting air quality across the United States.

Source: KOMU

1. Airborne allergens: Climate change’s warmer temperatures, prolonged spring and summers and precipitation changes increase community exposure to pollen and other airborne allergens. While not explicitly considered pollutants, allergens can increase allergy-related illness and worsen pre-existing conditions, like asthma.

The Columbia Climate Action and Adaptation Plan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2035, by 80% by 2050, and by 100% by 2060 through plans to increase renewable energy generation, reduce energy consumption, electrifying buildings and transportation, and more. However, all residents play a part in helping our community reach our emissions reductions goals. There are several practical steps residents can take to reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to cleaner air and a healthier community: 

1. Embrace sustainable transportation: By choosing to walk, bike, or use public transport (like on-demand GoComo buses), you can reduce emissions associated with gas-powered vehicles. If you’re ready to take the next step in reducing transportation emissions, see our most recent blog post to learn about choosing an electric vehicle for your next car.
2. Make your home greener: A majority of emissions in Columbia come from buildings. Switching to electric appliances (like stoves, washers, dryers, and water heaters) and home systems (like heat pumps) can greatly reduce your contribution to those emissions – and will save you money on your utility bills.
   1. See Columbia Water & Lights current rebates, loans, and energy efficiency programs here.
3. Reduce your exposure: Use the Air Quality Index (AQI) to guide outdoor activities. When AQI is unhealthy, take simple steps to reduce exposure by choosing less intense activities, taking more breaks, and rescheduling outdoor activities to better air quality timing.