AERA's and Air Quality: Modern Municipal Challenges

This presentation will explore strategies for cities in danger of noncompliance with ground level ozone(GLO) in areas of concentrated population. Atmospheric Education Resource Agents (AERA’s), funded by the American Meteorological Society and the National Science Foundation, are assisting organizations in these cities to alleviate this atmospheric hazard, and to promote "Ozone Alert Days" during the summer ozone season. Serving as Task Force leaders, AERA’s are working to educate the public and to promote implementation of plans that will enable compliance of businesses and industries. Current programs include collaboration with Environmental Task Forces, the state Environmental Protection Division, Emergency Management Directors and the Partnership for a Smog-Free Georgia. The primary goal of these groups is to reduce ground level ozone elevation, and to make changes in ozone-producing behaviors during the long ozone season of May 1^st through September 30^th.

Information compiled by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Ambient Monitoring Program indicates that the city of Columbus, Georgia is dangerously close to non-attainment of the mandated levels of ground level ozone. Fear of being placed in a category that would effect the city both economically and physically, the Mayor and City Council took action. The GLO/Ozone Alert Project, begun in the fall of 1998, proposes a number of actions which can be taken by citizens to maintain the status of compliance with the states Clean Air Act. Public involvement is encouraged by campaigns, media blitzes, school participation, and alert procedures developed and implemented by the Mayor’s Task Force and Army Environmental Specialist at Fort Benning. A major component of the project includes AERA contributions, especially their efforts in informing and reporting weather conditions that contribute to high ozone concentrations. The problem tends to be particularly severe during the hot, humid days in middle Georgia and in the adjoining cities of the state of Alabama.

Key factors in the success of this project are awareness and education. AERAs are challenged to target and promote simple and effective voluntary actions that can reduce ozone-causing emissions on Ozone Alert Days. Implementation of weather monitoring, Alert Warnings, and GLO Action Teams are already decreasing the peaks of high ozone concentrations in Georgia. Citizen awareness, facilitated by AERA activities, promises to make Georgia a safer and cleaner place to enjoy a summer break.