Tallahassee air quality among cleanest in country in ‘State of the Air’ report
U.S. air quality improving, Tallahassee among best in annual report Tallahassee Democrat
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Take a deep breath, Tallahassee: we’ve got good news.
The Tallahassee metro area — which includes Gadsen, Jefferson, Leon and Wakulla counties — was ranked among the cleanest in the U.S. for ozone pollution, according to the American Lung Association’s 25th annual “State of the Air” report, which looked at air quality data from 2020 through 2022.
What is ozone, and how have the levels improved in Tallahassee?
Ozone is a gas molecule, and high up it’s good. The ozone layer in the earth’s upper atmosphere shields us from a lot of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.
What is particle pollution, and how have the levels improved in Tallahassee?
Particle pollution is what makes air appear “thick and hazy,” and it can be deadly. It refers to tiny bits of solids and liquids in the air from factory smokestacks, power plants, unpaved roads, vehicles and wildfires. Researchers grade particles according to size, but even the tiniest, invisible particles (PM2.5) can cause serious health issues by entering your lungs and bloodstream and causing damage to other organs.
Who is most at risk from the dangers of air pollution?
- Pregnant people
- Children and teens
- Anyone 65 and older
- Anyone with pre-existing medical conditions including lung diseases (e.g. asthma) or metabolic disorders (e.g. obesity)
- People of lower socioeconomic status
- People who work or exercise outdoors
How did the rest of Florida fare in the 2024 State of the Air report?
- Jacksonville metro area (Northeast Florida): Ranked among the nation’s cleanest cities for ozone pollution, 124th worst for short-term particle pollution and 84th worst in the nation for year-round average level of particle pollution.
- Miami metro area (South Florida): Mixed results. It had its best-ever record for ozone pollution but failed for year-round average level of particle pollution.
- Orlando metro area (Central Florida): Ranked high for both ozone and short-term particle pollution. It ranked 99th worst in the nation for year-round average level of particle pollution.
- Tampa Bay metro area (Southwest Florida): Not quite as good. The Tampa area ranked 71st most polluted city in the nation for ozone pollution but received passing grades for short-term particle pollution and year-round average level of particle pollution.
You can track air quality in your area in most weather apps, weather websites, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Air Quality Today map, or the EPA’s AirNow.gov site.
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. | – Air quality data from 2020 through 2022 – Grades exposure to unhealthy levels of ground-level ozone air pollution – Grades annual particle pollution and short-term spikes over a three-year period |
| 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. | – Air quality data from 2020 through 2022 – Grades exposure to unhealthy levels of ground-level ozone air pollution – Grades annual particle pollution and short-term spikes over a three-year period |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | – Air quality data from 2020 through 2022 – Grades exposure to unhealthy levels of ground-level ozone air pollution – Grades annual particle pollution and short-term spikes over a three-year period |
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 impact of ozone and particle pollution on respiratory health, including shortness of breath, coughing, and an increased risk of respiratory infections. These health issues are directly related to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The article mentions the improvement in air quality in Tallahassee, which is part of the Tallahassee metro area. This improvement is connected to SDG 11, which focuses on creating sustainable cities and communities, including paying attention to air quality.
SDG 13: Climate Action
The article highlights the role of climate change in making air pollution more likely to form and more difficult to clean up. This connection to climate change aligns with SDG 13, which aims to take 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.
This target is relevant to the article as it addresses the need to reduce deaths and illnesses caused by air pollution. The article discusses the impact of ozone and particle pollution on respiratory health, highlighting the importance of addressing these pollutants to achieve this target.
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.
This target is connected to the article’s focus on air quality in the Tallahassee metro area. The improvement in air quality in Tallahassee demonstrates progress towards reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities, specifically in terms of air quality.
Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
This target is indirectly related to the article’s discussion of climate change’s impact on air pollution. Strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards can help mitigate the formation and effects of air pollution, contributing to progress towards this target.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
- Air quality data from 2020 through 2022: This data provides information on the levels of ozone and particle pollution, which are key indicators of air quality and can be used to assess progress towards reducing air pollution.
- Grades exposure to unhealthy levels of ground-level ozone air pollution: The grades assigned to areas based on their exposure to unhealthy levels of ozone pollution can be used as an indicator of progress towards reducing ozone pollution and achieving Target 3.9.
- Grades annual particle pollution and short-term spikes over a three-year period: The grades assigned to areas based on their levels of particle pollution, both annually and in short-term spikes, can be used as indicators of progress towards reducing particle pollution and achieving Target 3.9.
4. Table: 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. | – Air quality data from 2020 through 2022 – Grades exposure to unhealthy levels of ground-level ozone air pollution – Grades annual particle pollution and short-term spikes over a three-year period |
| 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. | – Air quality data from 2020 through 2022 – Grades exposure to unhealthy levels of ground-level ozone air pollution – Grades annual particle pollution and short-term spikes over a three-year period |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | – Air quality data from 2020 through 2022 – Grades exposure to unhealthy levels of ground-level ozone air pollution – Grades annual particle pollution and short-term spikes over a three-year period |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: tallahassee.com
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