Interactive Map of Air Quality
The EPA's AirNow website is the home of the U.S. Air Quality Index. Its website is full of resources pertaining to air quality. It also features maps showing real-time Air Quality Indices, including this interactive air quality map for San Antonio.
World Air Quality Index project promotes air pollution awareness and provides world-wide air quality information. It has a map of air quality indices for the entire USA.
Air Quality Tips
What you can do to reduce air pollution and stop global warming
1) Change Light Bulbs - Replacing one regular light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb will save 150 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. Compact fluorescents produce the same amount of light as normal bulbs, but use about a quarter of the electricity and last ten times as long. Each switch you make helps clean the air today, curb global warming, and save you money on your electricity bill.
2) Drive Less - Every mile you don’t drive saves 1 pound of carbon dioxide. A well-tuned car with properly inflated tires burns less gasoline—cutting air pollution and saving you money at the pump. Combine errands to make one efficient trip instead of several, this also saves time and effort. Better yet, skip the drive and take public transit, walk, or bicycle when you can. Carpool whenever possible. Check to see if you employer †has a van pool or see if they would support you in forming a carpool team from you area of town. You get to know your neighbors and you don't have to deal with the stress of being behind the wheel everyday.
3) Reduce! Reuse! Recycle! - Producing new paper, glass, and metal products from recycled materials saves 70 to 90 percent of the energy and pollution, including CO2 that would result if the product came from virgin materials. Recycling a stack of newspapers only 4 feet high will save a good-sized tree. Buy recycled products. For information on San Antonio’s recycling program, dial 311.
4) Don’t ‘Top Off" Your Gas Tank – When the nozzle shuts off, don’t add more gasoline to your tank. Gasoline needs room in the tank to expand. Overfilling wastes gasoline, releases toxic benzene into our air and costs you money. Try to fill up in early morning and late evening to avoid evaporation.
5) Consider a fuel efficient car – One that gets at least 30 mpg.† When researching your next car purchase, consider a gas/electric hybrid. There are tax incentives that reduce the cost and if gas prices stay on the high side the pay off will be much quicker. Also, hybrids have ultra low emissions†that†help reduce air pollution. Use your most efficient car when doing errands around town and when commuting to work. Auto makers are also offering flex fuel vehicles that use ethanol that reduces emissions.
6) Adjust Your Thermostat – Moving the thermostat up 2 degrees in the summer and down 2 degrees in the winter can save 2000 pounds of CO2 in a year. A warm house in summer and a cool house in winter, allows you to dress appropriately for the weather and be in touch with the seasons.
7) Plant a Tree – Trees produce oxygen, as well as clean the existing air. A single tree can absorb 2000 pounds of CO2 in its lifetime. The larger the tree, the more it absorbs, so preserve existing trees, especially our hardy south Texas natives. Shade trees are also a beautiful way to lower your electric bills, extend your living space and increase your home’s value.
8) Replace Small Gas Engines – Wherever possible, use electric power instead of dirty, noisy small gasoline engines which contribute significantly to San Antonio’s air pollution. Electric power is not only cleaner, it’s also quieter; your neighbors will appreciate both.
9) Support Clean, Renewable Energy - Renewable energy solutions, such as wind and solar power, can reduce our reliance on coal-burning power plants, the largest source of air pollution in the United States.
10) Become a CPS Energy Saver - CPS Energy has several smart, easy ways to help you save money and become more energy efficient. Contact CPS Energy and become an Energy Saver.