Dallas Clean Air Action Day

Dallas’ Office of Environmental Quality teamed up with The Nature Conservancy to showcase a variety of ways Dallasites can improve air quality, from what you drive, to what you ride during this year’s “Dallas Clean Air Action Day” on June 22.

“It’s all about learning to improve the air quality in the Dallas-Fort Worth area so residents can breathe easy,” says James McGuire, Managing Director of the Office of Environmental Quality (OEQ).

DART showcased its electric buses on City Hall Plaza, and Tesla owners came out to talk about the benefits of their high-tech, earth-friendly cars. Different City departments set up booths showing ways they increase efficiency without increasing harmful emissions.

The Nature Conservancy also announced a first-of-its-kind study for North Texas called Breathe Easy Dallas during the event.

“Poor air quality is one of the leading environmental health challenges in cities globally, affecting vulnerable populations and communities disproportionately,” says Kathy Jack, Ph.D., Dallas Urban Conservation Associate for The Nature Conservancy. With Breathe Easy Dallas, we hope to improve the health, happiness, and learning of all Dallas children,” remarks Jack.

The project will study the impact of practical solutions like reduced car idling, campus-based health initiatives and tree planting on air quality and asthma-related absenteeism at local schools.