Thursday, May 29, 2014

Clean Air Day


The atmosphere of Earth is a layer of gases surrounding the planet Earth that is retained by Earth's gravity.  The atmosphere protects life on Earth by absorbing solar radiation, warming the surface through heat retention, and reducing temperature extremes between day and night.  Nearly all Earth beings need air to live, both animals and plants.
Air is the element of the East, connected to the soul and the breath of life.  If you’re doing a working related to communication, wisdom or the powers of the mind, Air is the element to focus on.  Air carries away your troubles, blows away strife and carries positive thoughts to those who are far away.  Air is associated with the colors yellow and white.  It's supposed fundamental importance to life can be seen in words such as aspire, inspire, perspire and spirit.

Doves and birds are connected to the element of Air.  They represent peace, tranquility, and the calm that wind can bring.  Willow boughs are also used as symbols of the air; their supple nature and slender, wind-blown leaves seem fitting to represent the gentle supple motion of the wind.  Flutes and other wind music, with their high pitching notes that often sound like the whining of the wind in the branches of trees, is often used to depict the wind.

As soon as we call to mind the air element within the body — the air in our lungs and other body cavities, even the gases dissolved in our blood — we’re immediately aware of the breathing, aware that air is flowing rhythmically in and out of the body.  So almost simultaneously we recall the air element outside of us — the air surrounding us and touching the skin in this very moment, the winds and clouds and breezes that we see and hear moving branches and grasses.  In truth your life is a sacred gift of enchantment to this Earth.  Having this direct sense of interconnectedness is enlivening and empowering.

 

Clean Air Day 2014 is Wednesday, June 4th.  Clean Air Day aims to increase public awareness of two key environmental priorities: clean air and climate change, as well as to encourage the public to take action in these sectors.  In the winter of 1998, representatives from five environmental NGO's met with the Minister of the Environment to request that June be officially declared "clean air month" in Canada.

Clean air, is air which has a natural balance of gases such as oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.  Clean air does not contain pollutants or allergens.  Toxic air pollution is linked to serious conditions such as cancer and chronic bronchitis.  Air pollution can exacerbate pre-existing conditions such as asthma.
Clean Air Month is a time for many states to celebrate the impact the Clean Air Act has had on the way people think about the environment and on the overall health of its people.  For example, in Wisconsin, the Clean Air Act influenced legislation to be passed to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions from state power stations; and sulfur dioxide emissions has fallen by 46 percent.

The transportation sector is a major contributor of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions.  For Clean Air Day, why not renew or begin a commitment to sustainable transportation?  When you use public transit, cycle, walk and rollerblade, you can reduce your personal emissions, save money used on fuel, contribute to your personal health and much more.

The Clean Air Day Commuter Challenge gives schools a special chance to encourage students to walk, bike or skate to school.  Clean Air Day is a chance to celebrate our environment by keeping our air clean, to share walking safety skills with children, to bring safety to our neighborhoods and reduce crime, to address traffic congestion, pollution and speed around our schools, and to spend valuable time with one another.  All great reasons to get your school and community involved!


·       Bike to Work

·       Go for a Nature Walk

·       Walk to School

·       Recycle

·       Quit Smoking

·       Put up a Birdhouse

·       Cut the Carbon Footprint

·       Plant a Tree

 

Start your new clean air lifestyle today!
 








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