Guest post: Harnessing the Power of Moms to Change the World

Moms Clean Air Force Promotes a Healthy Community

By Blair Young

Did you know that nearly 40 percent of people (that’s 125 million people!) living in the U.S. live in areas where the air is too unhealthy to breathe because of air pollution? Families living in the Denver-metro area are among them. Aurora spans three counties of which two have “D” and “F” ratings based on the American Lung Association’s 2018 State of the Air Report. That’s why this May, Mom’s Clean Air Force members from across the country will celebrate Mother’s Day by holding and attending Mama Summits. Moms, dads, grandparents, family and friends, will meet with their local leaders and share information on big and small ways the local community can implement policies to protect our children’s health.

Moms Clean Air Force is teaming up Colorado Moms Know Best and city leaders to host the Aurora Mama Summit as a launch pad for families to meet with city council members to learn about the city’s existing clean air initiatives and sustainability programs and to advocate for policies that promote a healthy community. The voices of families, whose children are disproportionately affected by air pollution, are a powerful force in creating positive change in their home communities.

Over 100,000 children living in Colorado suffer from asthma. Ozone, carbon dioxide and smog worsens their conditions, as well as the health of other vulnerable community members — like the elderly. For these critical reasons and to protect one of our states greatest resources, our outdoor environment, Coloradans have historically supported clean air and energy initiatives like the 2015 Clean Power Plan. Now, many of those efforts are threatened to be dismantled. Now, more than ever, it’s time for families to take action on community health.

Even though Metro Denver is rated the 8th most polluted city in the country, together we can work to reverse this trend. To fulfill the vision of having our children born in a pollutant free Colorado, cities like Denver and Aurora must band together on a regional strategy to ensure clean air policies and practices in our communities. Attending the Aurora Mama Summit on May 7th is a great opportunity to harness the power of moms to change the world!

What can you do in your community?

1) Compost

To ask for municipal composting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the entire city check out this City Guide to Composting and Ask your county or city to join your state’s association on recycling and composting

2) Plant Trees

Planting trees and plants along roadways can reduce particle concentrations by acting as a barrier between roadways and schools or playgrounds. They provide shaded space that encourages active transportation (such as walking and bicycling) as an alternative to vehicle use. If your city is not a member, become an active member of Tree City USA

3) Don’t Idle

Encourage your city to adopt an Anti-Idling Ordinance to improve air quality in areas frequented by children. Anti-Idling ordinances in areas such as schools, playgrounds, daycares and hospitals reduce the number of respiratory illness, especially in children.

4) Take the Pledge

Ask your city to commit to a municipal clean energy goal, so far there are 9 Colorado cities and counties that have taken the pledge to convert to 100% renewable energy

5) Sustainability Board or Commission

Join your city’s sustainability/climate resiliency board, if one doesn’t exist get it started!

Join Our Aurora Mama Summit!

What: Kids Activities – Meet with Council Members – Tours of City Hall – Food provided by Teal Taco Food Truck

When: Monday, May 7, 2018 from 3:30-5:30 pm

Where: Aurora Water-Wise Garden (across from City Hall), 15151 E. Alameda Pkwy, Aurora 800

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn