SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Aside from what it costs to fill up your tank these days, those extra miles you're putting on your car have a dangerous impact on the environment. that's why leaders across the state are asking every Utahan to take a personal approach to cleaning the air.
Gov. Gary Herbert said, "We ourselves as individuals need to look to ourselves to change the culture, particularly when we find out more than half of the air pollutants come from our automobiles."
The Clear the Air Challenge is designed to highlight the alternatives to driving. Taking your bike to work, walking to the grocery store and planning your errands so that you don't travel unnecessarily can make a big difference.
Salt Lake City’s Sustainability Director Vicki Bennett said, "It has really gotten to the point where every single one of us has to make some sort of an effort to make some changes."
Cagney Smullin has joined the challenge with her co-workers at Hogal Zoo. She says even though she has a hybrid vehicle she's vowing to drive it less. "I try to have my lunch here so I’m not going out,” said Smullin. “I also try to make any stops that i need to do on the way home so I’m not making extra steps."
By making these small changes, since the challenge began in 2009, Utahans have saved over 3.6 million vehicle miles. This year they're hoping to grow that number and get more Utahans involved with cleaning up the air.
"If we all do a little we're going to save a lot of pollution and clean up the air,” said Gov. Herbert.
If you would like more information, or if you would like to join the challenge, log on to http://cleartheairchallenge.org/
