What you can do today

From the Coalition for Clean Air

At home

• Conserve energy—turn off lights and appliances when you leave the room. Check the energy efficiency ratings of refrigerators and other appliances when you buy them. Avoid cranking up the air conditioner on a warm day or the heater on a cool day. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescents. They screw into standard sockets, but use about a quarter of the energy of a regular bulb and cast as much light. And they last 10 times longer. Paint with water-based latex paints, not oil-based. It’s easier and much less polluting. Drying paint releases more smog-forming fumes than all the area’s oil refineries and gas stations combined. Buy paint low in volatile organic compounds. Close the paint lids tightly when done; use brushes and rollers rather than spray painting. You’ll cut smog and reduce your exposure to toxics. Don’t use lighter fluid to start your barbecue. Cleaner alternatives include metal chimneys using newspaper tinder or electric probes. Even less polluting are barbecues fired by propane or natural gas. Don’t use gasoline-powered garden gear like lawn mowers or leaf blowers. Electric mowers are much better and push mowers by far the best.Use rakes and brooms instead of blowers. Ask your gardener to do the same. You’ll reduce both air and noise pollution. Choose professional “wet-cleaning” instead of dry cleaning; avoid buying clothes that need dry cleaning. Dry cleaning uses a toxic chemical that is emitted into the air, while alternatives do not. Keep your dry cleaning to a minimum. (For a list of environmentally friendly cleaners see www.coalitionforcleanair.org.) Buy products with less packaging, and favor recycled products. Paper towels, computer paper, toilet paper, and many other products are available that are made with post-consumer recycled materials.

On the road

• Never top off your gas tank when you fill it. Buy radial tires for your car and properly inflate them. Keep you car-engine well-tuned and support the state’s smog-check program. The dirtiest cars cause about 40 percent of automotive pollution. When you see a smoking vehicle, report it. You’ll need the license plate, make, model, time, and location. Call AQMD (Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino) at 800-CUT-SMOG. Cellular users can dial #smog (#7664) in Southern California to reach the appropriate agency. Drive Less. Use public transit, carpool, ride a bike, or walk more often. Call around before you run errands. Does the store really have what you need? You’ll save money, reduce global warming and cut air pollution. When you buy a car, consider an electric, hybrid, or ultra low emission vehicle.

In your community

• Urge your representatives to support clean air legislation. Support national and state efforts to require better fuel economy and emission standards for all cars, SUVs, and light and heavy-duty trucks. Insist on the continued production and sale of zero-emission vehicles. Take action! Help California become the first state to regulate CO2 emissions from passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs. These cause half of California’s CO2. Share these tips with your friends and neighbors and encourage them to help clean the air. Become active with a clean air group.

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