Sign Up for the Clear the Air Challenge
Why participate?
Running from February 1 – 28, the Clear the Air Challenge is a statewide, month long competition that gives us the chance to reduce vehicle emissions by choosing alternative methods of transportation.
By driving less and driving smarter, we can help improve air quality, reduce traffic congestion and conserve energy in Utah. Nearly 50% of the pollutants trapped during the inversions are caused by transportation emissions. So by simply reducing vehicle trips, we’re making a difference to our health and our quality of life.
This winter we have already had several poor air quality days in the valley. Poor air quality is unhealthy for everyone and the solution depends on each of us to take action. The health of our friends and family are all the more reason to do something about it!
We encourage you to take the Challenge and register too!
The Hype
This is the 10th year for the program that encourages participants to use alternative modes of transportation like carpooling, taking public transit, walking, biking, and trip chaining.
Since the program started in 2009, participants have:
- eliminated 1,086,193 trips
- saved 15,071,921 miles
- saved 5095 tons of CO2
- saved $6,495,470 dollars
- burned 2,120,838 calories
That’s why Salt Lake City Corporation participates in the February Challenge. It is important for our health and commitment to air quality, and it’s a lot of fun.
Not signed up yet?
That’s ok! Now is the perfect time to get signed up and start working on a plan to drive less and help improve our air quality.
Individuals can participate on their own or you can join a team. To make it more fun and competitive you can create your own team by gathering a group of friends, getting the family involved, or challenge your co-workers.
The Challenge is designed around tracking and minimizing single-occupancy trips to and from work. However, the miles you save aren’t restricted to weekday workplace commuting. Miles saved from running errands, taking personal trips, and heading out for weekend outings can be tracked on the TravelWise dashboard and count as trips saved too.
You don’t have to have perfect commuting habits to participate. Even leaving the car at home one day out of the week can make a big difference.
This year the goal is to eliminate 300,000 trips, save 2,000,00 miles, and reduce 700 tons of CO2.
Need help planning?
- UTA has a great trip planner to help with the commute or errands.
- Are you planning on riding your bike? Grab your helmet and a Salt Lake valley bike map that can be downloaded or picked up at most local bike shops. You can also get the maps from us here at SLCgreen or from the University of Utah Sustainability Office.
- And of course, Google maps is a great tool for determining transit options, as well as calculating walking directions and distances.
Salt Lake City was in the top four participating teams last year!
- University of Utah
- Utah Transit Authority
- Fidelity Investments
- Salt Lake City Corporation
Salt Lake City participates in the statewide competition but we also have an internal challenge where all 16 departments go head-to-head to see who can save the most trips.
What do we compete for you ask? Aside from being able to breathe easier — Bragging rights!! Not to mention the ultra-competitive Mayor’s Cup and SLCgreen Team Spirits award!
Get on board!
The Challenge starts TOMORROW, Friday, Feb 1st!! Grab your friends and get registered!
Click here to register now or confirm your existing details.
Click here for video tutorials and social media links.
slcGreen Blog 
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