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The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Clean Air Campaign was started in October 2004 as a group of representatives from local government agencies, industry, corporations, the medical community, academia, and the public to make a difference in our air quality in Chattanooga-Hamilton County. The primary goal of the Clean Air Campaign Committee is to develop a public outreach plan that promotes everyday activities that can result in both cleaner air and better health.
Air pollution is an environmental and human health problem in many areas across the United States. In Chattanooga, ozone and particulates are the predominant air pollutants, and there are efforts underway by local government agencies to reduce those pollutants in the air that we breathe. For more information about these efforts, visit the web site of the Air Pollution Control Bureau.
To promote public education about these pollutants, the CAC's first project is a Clean Air Student Art Contest involving local 4th graders. In March 2005, representatives from the Health Department and the Air Pollution Control Bureau went to the Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences to teach students about air quality and its effects on health and the environment. In April and May, students, with the help of a professional artist, will turn their new knowledge into art that addresses the theme, “What my family and I can do to help keep the air clean.”
All students who participate will receive a goody bag of donated items from partners. Of the art entries, five winners will be chosen: grand prize, runner-up, and three category winners. The grand prize winner will be awarded a bicycle, provided by ATTI (the Advanced Technology Transportation Institute). As an alternative form of transportation and a good form of exercise, a bicycle best represents the goals of the campaign. Other winners will be awarded gift certificates and other prizes. The grand prize winning poster will be displayed on CARTA buses in summer 2005 to promote education of clean air issues.
Sponsors and contributors at this time are as follows:
Sponsors (monetary):
- Allied Arts of Greater Chattanooga
- ATTI
- Marion Environmental
- Contributors (in-kind):
- CARTA - Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority
- City of Chattanooga
- David Andrews, professional photographer
- EPB
- Envirotest
- Hamilton County Government
- McKee Foods
- Memorial Health Care, Health Place at Hamilton Place
- TVA Green Power Switch
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