Tag Archive for: 2023

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.

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!

Improving Your Transportation Strategies in Three Easy Steps

No matter who you are or how you travel, you have the power to make a significant impact on improving Utah’s air quality. By incorporating TravelWise strategies into your daily commute and beyond, you and your fellow Utahns can play a crucial role. In fact, it only takes three simple steps to explore alternative transportation options that can make a positive difference while adding a touch of freshness to your routine:

Step 1: Travel Less, Breathe More

The first step towards cleaner air is reducing the need for travel. Take a moment to consider if your workplace is within walking or biking distance. Embracing these active transportation options not only promotes a more active lifestyle but also saves you time by avoiding traffic congestion. To discover Salt Lake City’s bike routes and ensure a safe ride, check out the Salt Lake City Transportation and GREENbike websites.

Another fantastic option is teleworking. It’s a great way to save fuel, time, and money on car maintenance and parking fees. If the air quality isn’t ideal, why not approach your employer about teleworking on those days? Employees benefit from increased flexibility and an improved work environment, while employers gain a competitive recruiting advantage and reduced overhead costs. 

Step 2: Travel Efficiently, Make an Impact

The second step in improving Utah’s air quality is adopting more efficient transportation methods. Carpooling or vanpooling can lead to significant results by coordinating schedules with coworkers who live nearby. Imagine only driving to work half the time! Set up a driving schedule, establish a meeting place, and decide on a pick-up time. Plus, carpooling offers the added perk of using the HOV/express lane, making your commute smoother and faster.

By choosing mass transit options, you actively contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Utah offers a growing number of convenient transit choices, such as FrontRunner, TRAX, and UTA bus services. Before you hop on board, check routes, fares, and service times at rideutah.com for a hassle-free experience. Riding transit not only benefits the environment but also improves your overall health. Did you know that transit users take 30% more steps each day than those who rely on cars? 

Step 3: Trip Chaining, Efficiency Gaining

Trip chaining is a strategy that involves planning your trips strategically to avoid rush hour traffic and group errands together. Instead of heading home first, consider running errands on your way home from work. Beating rush hour traffic not only saves you time but also conserves gas and contributes to cleaner air. Remember to plan your trips in advance to maximize efficiency. The Utah Department of Transportation commuter website is a valuable resource for information on traffic congestion, accidents, and safety.

For additional smart travel tips and ways to help improve Utah’s air quality, don’t forget to visit cleartheairchallenge.org. Together, let’s make a difference and embrace alternative transportation strategies for a cleaner and healthier Utah.

Join Us for Team Manager Training and Networking

When it comes to clearing the air, businesses and organizations have huge potential to make an impact. As a group of coworkers and office friends, your team has the unique opportunity to make the Clear the Air Challenge more than just a challenge – you can make it a contest, team-building event or even just an exciting game.

Of course, organizational involvement and team participation wouldn’t be possible without our fantastic team managers, the individuals that manage their business’s or group’s team. To show our appreciation for these managers’ involvement and to ensure they get the support you need to make their Challenge experience a success, we are hosting a Clear the Air Challenge Team Manager Training & Networking Event. Join us to learn about Challenge basics, available resources and best practices, and network with other team managers:

Clear the Air Challenge Team Manager Training & Networking Event
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Salt Lake Chamber Office
201 S. Main Street #2300
Salt Lake City, UT

Click here to RSVP. In preparation for the event, we recommend you review the Challenge startup toolkit, video tutorials, and website. If you have any questions, suggestions or comments, please let us know at the event!

If you are unable to attend, we still want to help you. Reach out to info@cleartheairchallenge.org and let us know what we can do to assist you.