Be air aware, join the Clean Commute Challenge

The hot, windless days of summer can cause air quality to decrease, which indicates a greater exposure to airborne pollutants. During the month of August, Charlotte citizens are being challenged to do their part to reduce the amount of pollution in the air.

Beginning Wednesday, Aug. 1, N. C. Air Awareness, in partnership with Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) and Sustain Charlotte, is hosting the Clean Commute Challenge. Participants are asked to avoid single-person-per-vehicle commutes during the month, helping make the air cleaner.

Carpools, bus, light rail, biking and walking are all ways participants can achieve this goal.

Participants can register at www.way2goclt.com to join the challenge and begin to log their clean commute victories for a chance to win prizes. A new app, “Commute Tracker by RideAmigos” allows participants to track progress from their mobile devices. The app is available in both the Apple and Android stores.

Beyond helping the environment, participants will help the University. At the time of registration, participants are encouraged to join the UNC Charlotte network. In addition to celebrating what the campus community can contribute to this clean-air initiative, participation will provide valuable information to the University’s Office of Sustainability on the community’s most popular modes of alternative transportation.

For more information, contact Tyler Sytsma, University sustainability coordinator, at tsytsma@uncc.edu or 704-687-0606.