NY Marks “Air Quality Awareness Week” – Finger Lakes Daily News
NY Marks “Air Quality Awareness Week” – Finger Lakes Daily News Finger Lakes Daily News
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Air Quality Awareness Week in New York
This week is Air Quality Awareness Week in New York. The public awareness event is held in coordination with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s nationwide campaign to share information about efforts to protect and improve air quality. Throughout the week, DEC is promoting a different air quality topic on its social media platforms and highlight State initiatives and investments to promote clean air. The theme for this year is “Knowing Your Air.”
Significance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015. They aim to address the world’s most pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges, including air pollution and climate change. By emphasizing the SDGs throughout this article, we can highlight the importance of taking action to achieve these goals and promote sustainable development.
Understanding Air Pollution and its Impacts
Air pollution can harm public health and natural resources in various ways. It is important to raise awareness about the negative impacts of air pollution to encourage individuals and communities to take action.
- Ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are major pollutants that pose risks to human health, especially during hot summer weather.
- Acid rain and mercury in the air can have harmful effects on fish and wildlife.
- Greenhouse gases in the air contribute to climate change and its associated impacts, such as extreme heat, flooding, drought, fires, rising sea levels, and severe storms.
Sources of Air Pollution
Air pollutants originate from various human activities. The following are the main sources of air pollution:
- On- and off-road vehicles and power equipment
- Power plants that burn oil, gas, or coal
- Heating and cooling of residential and commercial buildings
- Industries that manufacture chemicals and other goods
New York’s Efforts to Improve Air Quality
New York State has implemented stringent air quality guidelines and regulations to protect public health and the environment. These efforts, along with the dedicated work of DEC’s air quality staff, have led to significant reductions in pollutant emissions from major facilities:
- Particulate matter (PM) – 88 percent reduction
- Sulfur dioxide (SO2) – 97 percent reduction
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx) – 81 percent reduction
- Volatile organic compounds (VOC) – 67 percent reduction
- Carbon monoxide (CO) – 58 percent reduction
- Hazardous air pollutants (HAP) – 73 percent reduction
Monitored ambient levels of pollutants statewide have also been reduced:
- Particulate matter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) – 50 percent reduction
- Sulfur dioxide (SO2) – 90 percent reduction
- Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) – 30 percent reduction
- Ozone – 12 percent reduction
Air Quality Alerts and Forecasting
DEC’s Division of Air Resources closely monitors air quality conditions statewide and issues timely public health advisories. It is important for individuals to stay informed about air quality alerts and forecasts:
- Visit dec.ny.gov for updated forecasts and information about air quality index levels.
- Check the Department of Health website for information on health risks and precautions related to air quality.
Strengthening Air Quality Standards
In February, the U.S. EPA announced a final rule to strengthen the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particle pollution (PM2.5). The lower standard reflects the latest science on particle pollution and health. It is important to note that changes to the Air Quality Index (AQI) may not indicate worsening air quality in New York State.
Community Air Quality
DEC works with residents and community-based organizations to address air quality concerns. In some cases, DEC conducts in-depth air quality studies based on community concerns. The recent statewide Community Air Monitoring Initiative collected air quality data in 10 disadvantaged communities across New York.
Air Quality Awareness Week Activities
Air Quality Awareness Week provides an opportunity for people to learn about the causes and impacts of poor air quality. DEC is promoting daily topics throughout the week on its social media platforms:
- Monday, May 6 – Wildland Fires and Smoke
- Tuesday, May 7 – Asthma and Your Health
- Wednesday, May 8 – Air Quality and Climate
- Thursday, May 9 – Air Quality and Environmental Justice
- Friday, May 10 – Air, Animals, and Plants
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | – Reduction in emissions of pollutants from major facilities in New York State from 2000 to 2022. – Reduction in monitored ambient levels of pollutants statewide from 2000 to 2022. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. | – Reduction in emissions of pollutants from major facilities in New York State from 2000 to 2022. – Reduction in monitored ambient levels of pollutants statewide from 2000 to 2022. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | – Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions contributing to harmful impacts including extreme heat, deadly flooding, drought, fires, rising sea levels, and severe storms. |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article discusses the harmful effects of air pollution on public health, such as the formation of ozone and fine particulate matter. It also mentions the impact of air pollution on fish and wildlife, as well as the contribution of greenhouse gases to climate change.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The article highlights New York State’s efforts to reduce emissions from major facilities and improve air quality, indicating a connection to the goal of creating sustainable cities and communities.
SDG 13: Climate Action
The article mentions the contribution of greenhouse gases to harmful impacts related to climate change, aligning with the goal of taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
The reduction in emissions of pollutants from major facilities in New York State from 2000 to 2022, as mentioned in the article, contributes to the target of reducing illnesses and deaths caused by air pollution.
Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
The efforts of New York State to promote clean air and reduce emissions from major facilities align with the target of reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities, particularly in terms of air quality.
Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
The article mentions the harmful impacts of greenhouse gases on climate, such as extreme heat, deadly flooding, drought, fires, rising sea levels, and severe storms. Strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to these climate-related hazards is a target under SDG 13.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article provides indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
- Reduction in emissions of pollutants from major facilities in New York State from 2000 to 2022.
- Reduction in monitored ambient levels of pollutants statewide from 2000 to 2022.
- Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions contributing to harmful impacts including extreme heat, deadly flooding, drought, fires, rising sea levels, and severe storms.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | – Reduction in emissions of pollutants from major facilities in New York State from 2000 to 2022. – Reduction in monitored ambient levels of pollutants statewide from 2000 to 2022. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. | – Reduction in emissions of pollutants from major facilities in New York State from 2000 to 2022. – Reduction in monitored ambient levels of pollutants statewide from 2000 to 2022. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | – Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions contributing to harmful impacts including extreme heat, deadly flooding, drought, fires, rising sea levels, and severe storms. |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: fingerlakesdailynews.com
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