This week marked 50 years of Earth Day, our planet’s largest civic event. Georgia’s Clean Air Force, in partnership with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, is honoring Earth Day by encouraging motorists to take actions for cleaner air in Georgia.
Since 1996, Georgia's Inspection and Maintenance Program has prevented nearly 1.9 million tons of harmful ozone-forming pollutants from entering the air we breathe, the equivalent of removing 13,400 vehicles from the road or planting more than 400 million trees.
“Earth Day serves as an annual reminder of the simple steps we can take to reduce our emissions footprint,” said Michael Odom, Mobile & Area Sources Manager, Georgia EPD. “Georgia drivers can take part in the world’s largest citizen initiative by committing to reduce harmful pollutants from entering the air we breathe.”
- Turn It Off. Instead of idling in your car, turn it off. When the engine is running, your vehicle is producing emissions that are harmful to our environment. The next time you find yourself idling, try the 10-second rule. Research shows it’s more fuel efficient to turn a car off and restart it as long as the car will be off for more than 10 seconds.
- Eliminate Unnecessary Fumes. When filling up your gas tank, don’t keep pumping past the automatic shutoff warning. If you fill up past the “click,” you release unnecessary gas fumes into the environment, risking the possibility of wasting fuel or creating spillage.
- Streamline Driving Efficiency. Earth Day is a great opportunity to improve your vehicle’s overall performance and fuel economy. Adhere to the recommended fuel type, remove any unnecessary items from your trunk, inflate your tires to the correct pressure and keep your gas cap fully sealed. It’s important to research the best options to streamline your specific vehicle’s driving efficiency.
- Happy Drivers Make the Best Drivers. Revving your engine and rapidly accelerating increases harmful emissions and drains your wallet. A study conducted by the Department of Energy found that aggressive driving can lower your gas mileage by 15 to 30 percent. Practicing safe driving techniques saves money and protects our planet.
To download an infographic from Georgia’s Clean Air Force’s on Earth Day 2020, visit their website at www.cleanairforce.com.
