Clean the Air

Council Member Hal Miller introduced Don Jarvis, a retired BYU Professor and Administrator who advises the mayor regarding sustainability, to Provo’s Neighborhood Chairs during a meeting last week.

Jarvis spoke with chairs about the causes and proposed solutions to how Provo residents can help clean up the poor air quality the city experiences during winter months.

While acknowledging that winter inversions play a role in air quality, Jarvis said much can be done by the average resident to reduce the severity of smog during those periods.

“One of the biggest contributors to our air quality issues is vehicles,” Jarvis said. “Reducing vehicle use can be a major way residents can help improve air quality on red air quality days.” Taking transit, biking, walking are helpful ways to collectively combat poor air quality. Public transportation and its role in air quality plans were discussed as well.

Utah Division of Air Quality’s “Clear the Air Challenge” was also mentioned as a worthy tool to help clean the air. Details of the challenge, which begins today, July 1, 2013 can be found here.

What are your thoughts on how Provo’s air quality may be addressed? Contact your Council Member with your thoughts, ideas and concerns by leaving a comment on this article, or directly here.