Fact: Onroad sources (e.g., cars, trucks) continue to be the largest contributors to air toxics, ozone, particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and carbon monoxide emissions in New Jersey.  They are also the largest contributing sources to greenhouse gas emissions in the State, even considering advances in vehicle technology to reduce air pollution.  Larger vehicles, like popular sport utility vehicles (SUVs), can produce more than twice as much pollution as a small car!

Action: Be conscious of how much you drive and plan ahead to drive fewer miles.  Always combine trips, use public transportation, or carpool when practicable.  Maintain your vehicle, including adequate tire pressure.

Visit any of the websites to learn more:

• Ways to Drive Clean
  
• On the Road Tips
  
• What You Can Do on the Road
  
• More Tips on Green Driving
  
• Reduce Air Pollution - Drive Wise
  
• NJDEP’s Clean Vehicle List
  
• The USEPA’s Green Vehicle Guide
  
• Websites on Transportation Sources

Fact: In 2006, the average home in New Jersey produced approximately the same amount of pollution as a car (i.e., over 8,500 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) and over 10 pounds of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), based upon the average monthly residential electricity consumption of 920 kilowatt hours (kWh)).

Action:  Conduct a self-audit – how much energy do you use?  Use the free online Home Energy Analysis provided by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to find out.  Then, take these steps to reduce your energy use and start saving energy and money!

Visit any of the websites to learn more:

• In the Home/Office Tips
• Reduce Air Pollution – A Focus on Industry, Business, and Home Sources
  
• What You Can Do at Home
  
• New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program – Residential
  
• Ways to Reduce Air Pollution – At Home
  
• Home Energy Analysis
  
• ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick
  
• The USEPA’s Personal Emissions Calculator
  
• Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator
  
• Emissions Calculators for Energy Use and Reduction Measures

Fact: The State is expected to gain over 20,000 housing units per year. In New Jersey, we had 3.4 million housing units in 2004.

Action:  Be proactive to encourage smart growth.  As a resident of one of the 566 municipalities in New Jersey, join your local environmental commission, or attend a meeting, and help your community choose green design options. New growth and change to existing infrastructure should include energy efficient, green buildings, easy access to mass transit, and safe lanes for walking or biking around town.  Also, encourage planning options that conserve open space and decrease sprawl.

Visit any of the websites to learn more:

• Sustainable Community Planning
  
• Presentation on How Municipalities can Plan and Design for Green and Energy Efficient Communities
• Green Buildings
• In the Home/Office Tips
  
• What You Can Do At the Office
  
• What You Can Do At School
  
• Information for Schools
  
• Reduce Air Pollution – A Focus on Industry, Business, and Home Sources
• New Jersey’s Energy Master Plan
  
• The Design for the Environment Program
  
• Calculating Waste Reduction
• USEPA Publications on Source Reduction

Fact: Americans use enough Styrofoam cups each year to circle the earth 426 times. That’s one hundred cups per person per year.  These cups are made from petroleum products, a non-renewable resource.  The processes and resources that create, distribute, and dispose of these cups contributes to air pollution.

Action: Think before you buy – Choose one of the reusable coffee mugs at your local coffee shop instead of purchasing the coffee in a disposable cup.  Avoid other disposable products as well.

Visit any of the websites to learn more:

• Database of Environmental Information for Products and Services
  
• Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP)
  
• Multi-Media Pollution Prevention
  
• Pollution Prevention Strategies – Tools and Calculators
  
• WasteWise – Preserving Resources, Preventing Waste
  
• Reduce Air Pollution – Buy Smart
  
• Cleaner Burning Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
• Controlling Pollutants and Sources
• Buy Recycled

Fact: Lawn mowers, snow blowers, chain saws, leaf vacuums, and similar outdoor power equipment cause about 25% of the air toxic emissions in New Jersey.  They also emit relatively large amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx), pollutants that contribute to the formation of ozone.

Action: Make simple changes to how you maintain your yard, such as using manual or electric instead of gas-powered equipment.  Use water- and energy-efficient products, organic pesticides and fertilizers, and solar landscape lighting.  Check your local air quality before doing strenuous or polluting activities.  On a high pollution day, don’t operate gasoline-powered equipment and avoid overexertion to limit the effects of high air pollution levels on your health.  Now you can say, “I can‘t mow the lawn today, it is an Air Quality Action Day!”

Visit any of the websites to learn more:

• GreenScaping: The Easy Way to a Greener, Healthier Yard
  
• Your Yard and Clean Air
  
• USEPA’s GreenScapes Program
  
• Lawn and Garden (Small Gasoline) Equipment
  
• Pesticides
  
• NJDEP Pesticide Publications
• Multi-Media Pollution Prevention