A tiny mustard seed grows...
Illustration
A tiny mustard seed grows to produce a huge shrub; a little effort produces great results. From July 14-August 31, 2004, the Boulder (Colorado) Country Public Health and the Boulder County Clean Air Consortium (BCCAC) sponsored the Ozone Summer Challenge. Concerned that the previous summer's ozone readings produced over fifty unhealthy air days, BCCAC wanted to find ways to encourage residents of Boulder to get out of their cars. A grand prize of $250 was offered to those who wanted to participate in this "clean air" contest. Residents were encouraged to bike, walk, carpool, take public transportation to work, and then to enter the contest. BCCAC further hoped that those who participated in the contest would carry on with their clean air practices after the contest was ended, thereby initiating a permanent reduction in air pollution.
When the 45-day contest ended, BCCAC estimated that the total savings in miles driven by participants was 26,800 miles, a reduction of about thirty percent of average travel in the city. This resulted in a reduction of about 150 pounds of ozone-forming emissions. Moreover, those in the contest reduced their carbon dioxide emissions by almost 29,000 pounds.
Boulder County Commissioner, Tom Mayer, said at the conclusion of the contest: "This contest demonstrates that with a little effort, together we can make a big difference in air quality."
When the 45-day contest ended, BCCAC estimated that the total savings in miles driven by participants was 26,800 miles, a reduction of about thirty percent of average travel in the city. This resulted in a reduction of about 150 pounds of ozone-forming emissions. Moreover, those in the contest reduced their carbon dioxide emissions by almost 29,000 pounds.
Boulder County Commissioner, Tom Mayer, said at the conclusion of the contest: "This contest demonstrates that with a little effort, together we can make a big difference in air quality."
