As many as 70 percent of Baltimore-Washington area residents know what a Code Red Air Quality day is and how to react.
For promoting the color scale, for making environmental health a common concern and for bringing government, corporations and individuals in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia to cut pollution, Clean Air Partners is celebrating 10 years of a new brand of environmental action.
“It?s a good demonstration of government agencies, stakeholders, communities and environmental groups being able to work together,” said Randy Mosier, an air-quality planner with Clean Air Partners and the Maryland Department of the Environment.
The organization will recommit to improving the air at Historic Belair Mansion in Bowie today.
A combined effort of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Washington Gas and other entities, Clean Air Partners now operates on a $714,000 annual budget. Nearly half of that goes to marketing and public relations, according to their budget.
One of their most visible promotions may be making Maryland?s air-quality index a household term.
Mosier said Clean Air Partners educated the public about the index and how to protect themselves on bad air-quality days. The group?s air-quality action guide also provides tips on cutting air pollution such as not refueling in the heat of the day or avoiding excessive use of aerosols.
“Our polls show 70 percent of people know what Code Red Air Quality is and that they need to take steps to protect themselves and protect their children when it?s going to be a bad air day,” said Joan Rohlfs, chairwoman of air-quality planning for the Council of Governments.
“They also approached the business community and the public, stressing the importance of air quality,” Mosier said.
Lockheed Martin, which operates facilities on Middle River, pledged to cut their emissions and recycle through agreements with the Clean Air Partnership, company spokesman Jim Gring said. “We feel it?s important to act responsibly for the environment,” he said.
