Atlanta’s air quality could stand to get better. In its 2022 “State of the Air” report, the American Lung Association gave Atlanta an F for ozone levels and said it was the city with the 37th-highest rate of particle pollution in the nation.

The good news is that our air quality gets a little better every year thanks to the efforts of Atlantans choosing more sustainable ways to get around. This August, we at Perimeter Connects invite you to join those efforts by taking part in the “Million Air Challenge”: a challenge to collectively offset one million pounds of CO2 by choosing a green way to travel.

Here are a few reasons why this challenge is worth doing:

1. To Reduce Pollution

The most obvious—and most important—reason to join the challenge is to reduce the pollution in our city. Every pound of CO2 you offset by choosing a green commute leads to less particulate pollution, lower levels of harmful ozone chemicals, and fewer greenhouse gas emissions. You and your neighbors will all be able to breathe easier.

2. To Improve Your Health

Sitting in the car doesn’t do much for your health, but walking or biking can be great exercise. In that way, doing good for the planet can be good for you, too. Not only that, but cleaner air leads to better health for everyone.

3. To Try Out a New Commute

Have you ever wondered if transit would be more efficient than driving, or a carpool more fun? This is your chance to try out a different form of commuting that you otherwise may not have gotten around to. Chances are you’ll find something you like.

4. To Win Prizes

While clean air is its own reward, we want to reward you in a more literal way, too. Everyone who signs up for the challenge and logs their clean commutes will be entered to exciting prizes, from gift cards to donated items from local businesses.

Whatever your reason, the Million Air Challenge is sure to be a fun and rewarding time. Register now to be a part of Atlanta’s journey to better air.

Historically, air quality in the Atlanta metropolitan area hasn’t been great. But that fate isn’t set in stone. In fact, every year Atlanta’s air quality gets a little better, proving that change is always possible.

Here are five things to know about the state of Metropolitan Atlanta’s air quality.

1) Poor Air Quality Can Impact Our Health

Air-born pollutants can have significant health consequences, especially for children, the elderly, and people with existing respiratory conditions.

Microscopic particles emitted by pollutants can burrow in the lungs or even blood, according to the CDC, while high ozone levels can be damaging to people with respiratory conditions like asthma. Reducing pollution is an important way to help everyone in our community stay healthy.

2) Atlanta Ranks Second in Pollution Emitted by Vehicles

It’s estimated that Atlanta ranks second nationally for most air pollution specifically from motor vehicles. Collectively, Atlantans drive upwards of 100 million miles a day, and the average daily commute is 34.2 miles, the fourth-highest driving distance in the country.

3) Atlanta’s Air Quality Gets Better Every Year—But There’s Still Work to Do

The 2022 State of the Air report released by the American Lung Association found that Atlanta’s air quality gets a little better every year. During the time frame covered by this report, Atlanta had the fewest ever days of unhealthily high ozone. Particle pollution was also at its best rate ever.

Despite these gains, though, Atlanta still received an “F” from the ALA for ozone pollution levels. The city is on the right track, but there’s still much to do.

4) Air Quality Can Worsen During the Summer

Ozone forms when other pollutants combine in heat and sunlight, so ozone pollution levels go up during the summer. Fortunately, the summer is also one of the best seasons for walking or biking, so Atlantans can mitigate this issue by choosing alternate forms of travel.

5) Getting Vehicles Off the Road Is Important for Clean Air

With so much of Atlanta’s pollution coming from motor vehicles, getting cars off the road is one of the most important things Atlantans can do to help improve air quality. You can do your part—while enjoying spending less time stuck in traffic—by walking, biking, carpooling, or taking transit.

Every year, Atlanta’s air gets a little bit better. If we all work together to get vehicles off the roads, we can keep this trend going.

We are doing our part to keep our neighborhood’s air clean. Click here to learn how—and see what you can do to help.