What did Utah businesses think about the Clear the Air Challenge?

The 2023 Clear the Air Challenge marked the 14th consecutive year that Utah businesses, organizations and individuals came together to decrease our emissions and clear our state’s air. After the month of competition came to an end, the final statistics were announced: thanks to statewide participation, we were able to reduce 365.1 tons of CO2 emissions, eliminate 55,179 trips, reduce 1,027,027.3 miles traveled, save $600,000 and burn 1.9 million calories in just 31 days. What’s more, countless Utah businesses shared their feedback: the Challenge brought their teams together, encouraged camaraderie and even brought some entertainment to the workplace.

“For me, it’s a way for the whole community, even competing businesses, to come together,” explained Eric Bradbury, a Challenge team manager for Architectural Nexus. “It’s a way to have friendly competition but also to have rapport.” 

Bradbury’s team took home the First Place Small Team trophy for 2023, and they went above and beyond to make the experience fun for their employees — they sent out funny email reminders and even memes to keep people motivated.

It wasn’t just the small teams that had fun during the Challenge, though. Teams like the University of Utah were able to not only compete with other teams across the state but also with each other. Each of their departments had its own subteams, and hundreds of university employees made it a point to contribute, leading their organization to a Third Place Large Team award.

“[The Clear the Air Challenge] brings a bunch of people across the organization together,” said University of Utah Director of Environmental and Social Sustainability Alexis Lee. “It’s fun to create subteams and compete internally, if you want to, and it pushes you to try something new.” 

Brad Pettigrew, Senior Advisor of Business Operations for Dell Technologies, agreed that the competition aspect is an easy way to motivate people to work towards a common goal.

“Healthy competition is always good, especially when there isn’t really any loser,” Pettigrew said. “We are all working towards the same goal of helping our environment.”

The Fidelity Investments team, who took home the prestigious First Place Large Team trophy, explained that the Challenge was not only an enjoyable experience but also a beneficial one.

“Participating in the Challenge each year is something our associates always look forward to. Our sustainability committee works hard to educate and engage our associates in the efforts, and we are all very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish together as a team,” said Lori Smith, Utah Regional Leader for Fidelity. “The Challenge, and our participation in it, also helps in our talent recruiting and retention efforts here in Utah, as it highlights us as an organization that is committed to showing up and working closely with local leaders to make a real difference in our community.” 

Although the 2023 Challenge is over, many teams are already getting ready for next year. Their advice for any businesses or individuals who are thinking about joining the next Challenge? Just do it!

“If you’ve been curious about how you can change your driving habits, your daily commute or the difference you can make in Utah, this is the Challenge that will help you with that,” said David Vasquez, a participant from the State of Utah Agencies. Their team scored second place in the Large Teams category, but they’re planning to come back next year better than ever.

“The Clear the Air Challenge is a best practice,” said Michelle Brown, coordinator for resource stewardship for the state. “We’ll definitely be participating next year — we’re coming after Fidelity!” 

For more information about the Clear the Air Challenge, click here. The Challenge will return in July 2024. 

How You Can Impact Air Quality All Year Long

It’s official – the 14th annual Clear the Air Challenge is over! Thanks to participation from our communities, businesses and individuals like you, we were able to reduce 365.1 tons of CO2 emissions, eliminate 55,179 trips, reduce 1,027,027.3 miles traveled, save $600,000, and burn 1.9 million calories in just 31 days.

However, just because July is over doesn’t mean we should stop being mindful of our air quality. The Clear the Air Challenge may be a month-long event, but the effects of Utah’s air quality on our community are felt year-round. Luckily, there are steps each of us can take to benefit air quality all year long:

At Home

If you participated in the Challenge, you’ve probably realized by now that small changes can make a big difference. By driving alone less, you’re not only reducing your emissions, but you’re also saving money on gas, maintenance and parking costs. Even though the Challenge is over, you can still use TravelWise strategies to get around. It’s a win-win for both you and our air!

Making a difference in air quality isn’t just about driving, either. At home, try making small changes like replacing old fuel containers, buying water-based paints and choosing green lawn and garden products. And, of course, don’t forget to flip off the lights whenever you leave the room.

At Work

During the Clear the Air Challenge, dozens of businesses and organizations across the state created teams to encourage their employees to drive alone less. Your organization’s commitment to air quality doesn’t have to end just because the Challenge did. Ask your coworkers if they would be interested in a carpool group. Or, see if there are any TRAX or bus stations near your office – it might be easier to use public transportation than you think.

If you are a part of your company’s leadership, see what you can do on an administrative level. UCAIR has established a grant program to encourage businesses, government entities and non-profit organizations to invest in emissions-reducing and energy-efficient technology. You and your company might just benefit!

In The Community

The air we breathe affects all of us, so we should all be involved in the conversation. Seek out community opportunities to get involved in clean air efforts by keeping your ears and eyes open! You can participate in air quality planning through the Division of Air Quality or other state and local government groups. Lend your voice and speak up for Utah’s air.

And, when the Clear the Air Challenge comes around again next year, don’t forget to participate! The Challenge depends on the participation of community members like you to be successful. The impact of our actions reverberates through the year, influencing the quality of the air we all share. By embracing simple changes at home, collaborating with colleagues at work and engaging actively within our communities, we are sowing the seeds of a cleaner, healthier future. 

For more ways you can support and improve Utah’s air quality, visit the UCAIR website.

2023 Clear the Air Challenge Results Announced

The Salt Lake Chamber, along with partners TravelWise Utah and Utah Clean Air Partnership – UCAIR, is excited to announce the results of the 14th annual Clear the Air Challenge. This year’s top honors go to Fidelity Investments for large teams and Architectural Nexus for small teams. 

“This past month has shown what we can achieve as a group of committed participants joining together for our air quality needs,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. “The Clear the Air Challenge shows the strength of business doing good in the community, and highlights how each of us can make a difference to reduce pollution and collectively improve our quality of life. We congratulate all the businesses and individuals who participated by adopting Travelwise strategies to clear the air!”  

The Clear the Air Challenge is a month-long initiative undertaken by business, government and community leaders that encourages Utah residents to drive less and drive smarter during the month of July. Participants help improve air quality by avoiding trips alone in their car and using TravelWise Strategies such as carpooling, teleworking, taking public transit, biking or trip chaining.

“Summer ozone poses a real health challenge, and through the Clear the Air Challenge, we were able to highlight the actions we can individually take to make a difference for one another,” said Kim Frost, executive director of UCAIR. “Air quality is a continual challenge in Utah, but each year we can educate more people and empower them to develop healthy travel habits. We congratulate this year’s team winners, large and small, for leading by example and showing the impact that comes through collective effort.”

Over the past month, businesses and individuals from across the state participated in the annual competition to show their commitment to our environment and, more specifically, our air quality. Collectively, this year’s participants reduced 365.1 tons of CO2 emissions, eliminated 55,179 trips, reduced 1,027,027.3 miles traveled, saved $600,000, and burned 1.9 million calories in just 31 days.

Top Large Teams:

  1. Fidelity Investments (CO2 saved: 107 tons; Total Trips Eliminated: 14,336; Miles Saved: 290,235.7)
  2. State of Utah Agencies (CO2 saved: 81.3 tons; Total Trips Eliminated: 9,526; Miles Saved: 216,790.2)
  3. University of Utah (CO2 saved: 25.4 tons; Total Trips Eliminated: 5,227; Miles Saved: 75,828.5)

Top Small Teams:

  1. Architectural Nexus (CO2 saved: 15.9 tons; Total Trips Eliminated: 982; Miles Saved: 43,407.8)
  2. GSBS Architects (CO2 saved: 10.9 tons; Total Trips Eliminated: 1,764; Miles Saved: 32,171.7)
  3. Dell Technologies-Utah (CO2 saved: 6.4 tons; Total Trips Eliminated: 560; Miles Saved: 15,941.8)

“Fidelity Investments has always enjoyed participating in the Clear the Air Challenge since its inception 14 years ago. We were proud to join in again with more than 300 new associates in the Utah region,” said Lori Smith, Utah regional leader, Fidelity Investments. “As one of the largest corporate citizens in the area, we support all Utahns through our associates, customers, and surrounding communities to help reduce our environmental emissions and carbon footprint leading to better air quality for all.” 

The Clear the Air Challenge Community Supporters included Breathe Utah, Envision Utah, GREENbike, Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Utah Open Lands and Utah SBC (Small Business Council).

Thank you for a great Challenge!

How to Use the Commute Tracker App to Log Your Clear The Air Challenge Trips

If you’re participating in the Clear the Air Challenge, you know that logging your air-friendly trips in the TravelWise Tracker is the only way to make sure your impact is counted towards the Challenge goals. What you might not know is that the TravelWise Tracker has an app that allows you to log your trips right from your phone.

Downloading and Using the App

  1. To get started, first download the “Commute Tracker by RideAmigos” to your mobile device.
  2. Next, access your “Connect PIN” by logging onto the TravelWise Tracker on your desktop. Click the “Dashboard” tab, and scroll down to the widget titled “DOWNLOAD THE NEW MOBILE TRACKER.” Click the blue button for your Connect PIN.
  3. Log into your Commute Tracker app using your email address and Connect PIN.
  4. Start tracking on the app by clicking the plus button in the “Commutes” tab! Your previously entered trips will appear as “Web Trips.”

This year, our goal is to eliminate 100,000 single-occupant trips, save 2 million miles, and reduce 375 tons of CO2 from being released into the air. Every trip you log gets us closer to our goals and helps us make a positive impact on Utah’s air.

*If you are having issues with the app or TravelWise Tracker, or if you have other questions about the Challenge, email us at info@cleartheairchallenge.org. We’re here to help!

How Do Prizes and Achievement Badges Work?

If you’ve participated in the Clear the Air Challenge before, you might remember that as you log your TravelWise trips throughout the month, you unlock achievement badges. These badges show what you’ve accomplished during the Challenge, and they also serve as entries into our weekly opportunity drawings. Long story short: the more badges you unlock, the better chance you have to win.

Achievement Badges

There are three types of badges that participants can earn during the Challenge. The first type is activity achievements, which are automatically unlocked as trips are logged. These badges include achievements like “First Carpool” and “Log 10 Trips.” 

The second type of badge is action achievements, which are unlocked after completing various actions such as liking the Challenge’s Facebook account or sharing on social media. In order to unlock these badges, participants must fill out their corresponding forms after completing the action. 

The third type of badge is skill achievements. These include achievements like the “TravelWise Pro” and “UCAIR Follower” badges and are awarded when participants learn more about the Challenge or other educational topics. Similar to the action achievements, these badges require completion of their corresponding quizzes prior to unlocking.

To view available achievement badges and their forms, visit the TravelWise Tracker homepage and scroll down. You can also view your earned badges on your dashboard. 

Prizes

There are several opportunities to win prizes during the Clear the Air Challenge. Each week, we randomly select several participants to win a gift card to a local restaurant or business, tickets to area attractions and more. Each badge earned during that week counts as one entry into the weekly drawing, and winners are notified via email.

Additionally, at the end of the Challenge, the top three participants who save the most emissions will win grand prizes:

First Place: Utah Camping Kit

  • Utah State Parks Pass
  • REI Two-Person Backpacking Tent
  • IGLOO Cooler

Second Place: A Day at the Zoo

  • Hogle Zoo Duo Annual Membership
  • Portable Cooler

Third Place: Picnic in the Park

  • Pendleton Portable Picnic Blanket
  • $50 Smith’s Gift Card

Note: The Clear the Air Challenge is as accurate as the data entered by participants. Therefore, entries are diligently monitored to ensure that Challenge results are accurate. If there is an entry in question, the participant is contacted and the entry is verified. Additionally, the grand prizes must be picked up in person at the Salt Lake Chamber office.

If you have further questions about the Challenge, achievement badges or prizes, contact us at info@cleartheairchallenge.org. We wish you the best of luck!

Clear the Air Challenge Frequently Asked Questions

The 2023 Clear the Air Challenge is just a week away, and we have heard from many of you that you’re as excited as we are! As we count down the days until July 1st, we want to answer as many questions as we can in order to prepare you for a successful Challenge:

  • How do I join a team if I’m already registered for the Challenge? Simply log into the TrackerWise Tracker, select the “Edit Profile” button on the left-hand side, click “Select My Networks” and use the drop-down menu to find your team.
  • What counts as a trip in the TravelWise Tracker? A single-occupant vehicle trip is any trip you may take from point A to point B. A trip from point B back to point A is considered a second trip. Ask yourself: How many trips would I normally have taken? How many trips did I take? The difference between the questions is your trips saved. For example, If you decide to ride your bike somewhere, you’ve saved 2 trips. If you carpool to your kids’ soccer game, everyone in the car has saved 2 trips. If you telework from home one day, you’ve saved 2 trips.
  • How does the Challenge ensure accurate results? The Clear the Air Challenge is as accurate as the data entered by participants. Therefore, entries are diligently monitored to ensure that Challenge results are accurate. If there is an entry in question, the participant is contacted and the entry is verified.
  • Do teleworking meetings instead of face-to-face meetings count when the meeting is out of state count? Teleworking to meetings out of state do not count as trips saved. Although you are doing your part for nationwide sustainability, this Challenge is geared specifically to Utah. Therefore, only trips saved in Utah are counted.
  • If you use a fuel efficient or electric vehicle, do your trips count? Electric vehicles count, however, hybrids are not included in this distinction.
  • Do you count trips saved if you drive your vehicle to a public transportation outlet or to a carpooling meeting spot? Yes. Even though you are still driving to a destination, you are saving additional miles you would have driven. If you drive to a carpool meeting spot or a public transportation outlet, you can count two trips saved.
  • What if I forget to log my trips? Don’t worry, you have until August 3rd to log all trips taken in July before the results are counted for the official Challenge results. 

Do you have other questions? Reach out to us at info@cleartheairchallenge.org with any concerns. We’re here to help make your Challenge a success!

2023 Clear the Air Challenge Kicks Off

Clear the Air Challenge lasts one month to build Travelwise habits and improve air quality

The Salt Lake Chamber, along with its partners Utah Clean Air Partnership (UCAIR) and TravelWise, kicked off the 14th Annual Clear the Air Challenge today. Issued by business, government and community leaders, the Challenge is a month-long competition designed to encourage Utahns to reduce their vehicle emissions by choosing alternatives to driving alone.

“We are excited to launch the Clear the Air Challenge again this year to keep air quality front and center for our communities,” said Gary Hoogeveen, chair of the Salt Lake Chamber and president and CEO of Rocky Mountain Power. “Our partners here today represent leaders who seek solutions and ways to help improve air quality and put their actions behind their words. No solution is perfect for maintaining clean air, but we know practical actions exist that can yield significant outcomes. By empowering ourselves through education and actively minimizing our environmental footprint, we can genuinely enhance the quality of our air.”

Nearly half of the pollutants that contribute to Utah’s poor air quality can be attributed to transportation emissions. By adopting more intelligent driving practices, you have the ability to safeguard the health, environment, economy, and quality of life in Utah. To achieve this goal, participants of the Clear the Air Challenge actively employ TravelWise strategies such as carpooling, utilizing public transit, teleworking, trip chaining, as well as walking, biking, or using scooters, all aimed at reducing emissions and promoting the improvement of Utah’s air quality.

“At UCAIR, we place immense importance on understanding the driving forces behind behavioral change and the environment,” emphasized Kim Frost, executive director of UCAIR. “The Clear the Air Challenge plays a key role in helping businesses and individuals understand the significant impact their actions can have in clearing our air. When individuals recognize the efficacy of their efforts, they are far more inclined to embrace behavioral shifts, not just during the Challenge, but throughout the year.”

One of the key objectives of the Challenge is to raise awareness among Utah residents regarding our air quality concerns. In prior years, the Challenge took place in February, aligning with the winter inversion period when air quality visibly deteriorates. However, again this year, the event will be held in July to address Utah’s summertime ozone issues. Though not as visible, summertime ozone is equally harmful, yet its detrimental effects are less commonly known among the general public.

“By carpooling, biking, walking, or using public transportation whenever possible, we reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier environment,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. “But this challenge goes beyond individual actions. It requires a collective effort. It takes collaboration between businesses, organizations, and community leaders. When we support sustainable practices and policies that prioritize clean air, we provide the next generation of Utahns with a healthier future.”

Since the Challenge started in 2009, participants have helped make a big difference in improving Utah’s air quality. In that time, participants have eliminated more than 1.3 million trips, saved more than 20 million miles and reduced their emissions by more than 6,700 tons.

“We’re proud to join the Clear the Air Challenge again this year,” said Lori Smith, Utah regional leader at Fidelity. “The Challenge serves as a great educational opportunity for our communities on the impact of poor air quality and a heightened sense of awareness that together, through our choices, we can help create a healthier future for all Utah residents.”

By encouraging employees to participate, businesses can create a team to make an even bigger impact. The Clear the Air Challenge begins July 1.

How to Participate:

  1. Sign up on the Clear the Air Challenge website at cleartheairchallenge.org and create an account.
  2. Challenge friends and co-workers to participate as a team or individually.
  3. As a business owner or team manager, send out the challenge fact sheet available in the Startup Toolkit to your employees that explains what the challenge is and why they should participate.

Questions? Contact info@cleartheairchallenge.org.

Clear the Air Challenge: What You Need to Know About Ozone

During times of air quality issues, many articles and social media posts will mention “ozone” as a factor. However, many people are uninformed about what ozone is and does, and how it can potentially affect their health. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe and informed:

What is ozone?

Ozone, also referred to as O3 or simply ‘smog,’ is a pollutant of pale blue gas with a distinctive, pungent smell. The oxygen we breathe is made of two oxygen molecules, while ozone is made up of three oxygen molecules. However, ozone has different effects in different regions of the atmosphere. In the upper atmosphere (roughly 12-19 miles above ground), ozone is naturally occurring and even beneficial, serving as a shield against certain types of ultraviolet radiation. At ground level, ozone is created from human sources and contributes to air pollution. Ground level ozone can cause health problems like difficulty breathing, and long term, it can even act like a sunburn on the lungs.

Who is sensitive to ozone air pollution?

There are four main groups of people who are especially vulnerable to the effects of breathing ozone: children, older adults, people with preexisting lung or respiratory conditions, and those who work or exercise vigorously outdoors. These groups are at higher risk of becoming sick by exposure to ozone, and may experience reduced lung function, inflammation of the airways and other symptoms.

How can I check the air quality in my area?

The Utah Department of Environmental Quality has an air quality forecast tool that helps  determine how the highest pollution level of the day will affect people with various health conditions. The action forecast also notifies the public of the voluntary or mandatory actions (e.g., carpooling, wood burning) they need to adhere to for the current pollution levels. You can even download the UtahAir app or sign up for email alerts to stay informed.

What can I do to reduce ozone air pollution?

Luckily, we are not powerless when it comes to managing air quality. By traveling smarter, individuals can reduce their emissions and thereby improve Utah’s air. During July, the Clear the Air Challenge is encouraging Utahns to reduce single-occupant trips and track the money and emissions saved by using the TravelWise Tracker. Already, participants have logged almost 400,000 miles of alternative travel strategies such as carpooling, public transportation and trip chaining. These measures also decrease ozone pollution on the ground level and keep our communities healthy.

For more information on Utah’s air quality or to check the ozone levels in your area, click here.

Are You Ready for the Clear the Air Challenge?

The Clear the Air Challenge begins in just one month! From July 1-31, join us in being more aware of the trips that you take and making an effort to choose alternatives to driving alone, such as carpooling, using public transportation and working remotely on bad air quality days. In order to make the Challenge a success, here are five easy steps you can take to do your part in clearing Utah’s air: 

  1. Register and set up your team. If you don’t already have an account, create one today! This takes less than two minutes and gives you access to the TravelWise Tracker, a software that keeps track of the emissions, miles and trips you save when you don’t drive alone. You can also join or create a team, whether it be your business or organization, or even just a group of friends.
  2. Invite others to join the Challenge. Tell your coworkers, family, and friends about the Challenge and encourage them to join you! We amplify our impact when we work together. If you’re part of a team in your office or organization, contact your team manager for your team’s join link and circulate it to others.
  3. Educate others. If you are knowledgeable about the Challenge, help others learn how to register, plan their travel, and use a variety of TravelWise strategies. Recirculate Clear the Air Challenge social media posts (find us on Facebook and Twitter) to spread the word. Increasing awareness about eco-friendly transportation strategies helps all of us!
  4. Encourage your team. Maintaining momentum can be difficult in our busy world, but you can help! Periodically check in with your teammates, and don’t forget to celebrate your victories, even the small ones. 
  5. Practice logging your trips. Although the Challenge officially begins July 1st, you can practice using the TravelWise tracker to log your trips any month out of the year! Simply go to the TravelWise Tracker Dashboard and enter your distance and mode of travel to calculate your impact. This page can be accessed on mobile, or you can even download the Commute Tracker app. This way, you’ll be ready when trips start counting towards our Challenge goals in July.

Thanks for your involvement, and good luck! If you have any questions, suggestions or comments, please reach out to info@cleartheairchallenge.org.

Top Reasons Businesses Should Care About Our Air

As Utahns, we are lucky to live in a state with breathtaking natural beauty and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Unfortunately, our mountainous landscape creates a natural barrier that can adversely affect our air quality, especially when inversions trap pollutants close to the ground. As a result, many people in Utah are starting to take action to reduce their emissions and improve air quality. Here’s why businesses should, too:

Protect health and well-being: Utah’s air quality has a direct impact on our health and well-being, especially for those with pre-existing respiratory conditions. By taking steps to reduce emissions and improve air quality, businesses can help protect the health and well-being of their employees, customers, and fellow Utahns.

Support Utah’s economy: Utah is known for its business-friendly environment and growing economy. By promoting sustainable practices and reducing emissions, businesses can help ensure that our state remains a great place to do business for years to come.

Save money: Speaking of the economy, many of the strategies for reducing emissions and improving air quality can also help businesses save money! For example, encouraging employees to use alternative transportation options like carpooling or public transit can reduce commuting costs and parking expenses. Improving energy efficiency in buildings can also help lower utility bills.

Preserve our natural beauty: Utah’s stunning natural beauty is one of our state’s greatest assets. By taking action to reduce emissions and improve air quality, businesses can help preserve this natural beauty for future generations to enjoy.

Connect with our community: Utahns take pride in our state and our communities. By caring about our air and participating in initiatives like Utah’s Clear the Air Challenge, businesses can show that they care about our state and our fellow Utahns. Being involved helps build stronger connections with customers, employees and other stakeholders.

By taking action to reduce emissions and improve air quality, businesses can help protect our health, support our economy, preserve our natural beauty, connect with our community and even save money in the process. An easy place to start is Utah’s Clear the Air Challenge, a month-long competition that gives Utahns the chance to reduce their vehicle emissions by choosing alternative methods of transportation using TravelWise strategies. To create a team for your business or organization, email info@cleartheairchallenge.org to get started. Together, we can help ensure that Utah remains a great place to live, work, and play for generations to come.