Join the Clean Commute Challenge

As temperatures rise, the campus and surrounding communities are more vulnerable to the effects of unhealthy air quality. The annual Clean Commute Challenge, an initiative spearheaded by N.C. Air Awareness, aims to combat this issue.

The program, administered by the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, provides individuals and organizations with tools to help reduce pollution and exposure to harmful levels of ozone and particulate matter.

“Our impact as a community of more than 30,000 students, faculty and staff, in previous years of participation, has been significant,” noted University Sustainability Coordinator Tyler Sytsma.

To participate, go to Way2GoCLT.com and register as part of the UNC Charlotte network. Log each clean commute through July 31. Examples of clean commutes include the use of carpool, public transportation, biking, walking or telecommuting.

If lessening the effect of smog on human and animal health were not enough, the initiative offers participants an opportunity to win prizes. These include a Kindle Voyage, Fitbit Blaze and more. Participants who log 10 clean commute roundtrips will be entered in the grand prize drawing for a Home Automation Kit with a Nest Thermostat, Google Home and Apple Watch.

Visit the N.C. Air Awareness for more information and for ways to get involved as a campus group/organization, contact Sytsma at tsytsma@uncc.edu.