Author: Julie Hauser

Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (CAM) works to enrich lives and inspire curiosity, creativity, and learning through experiences with contemporary art, while also being dedicated to fostering a sustainable future by integrating environmentally conscious practices. Located in the Grand Central Arts District, CAM provides 100+ events and community engagements per year, ranging from art education workshops in Saint Louis Public Schools to artist talks. CAM recognizes that, in addition to sharing contemporary art with the local community, it can inspire green initiatives through example. That is why this month, the Clean Air Partnership is proud to highlight CAM’s sustainability initiatives that are having a positive impact on the planet and communities it serves. 

“Our CAM Green Team has brought together representatives from multiple departments to achieve one goal: to make our establishment more sustainable, eco-friendly and localized in any way that we can,” said Brandon Barr, Teen and Adult Programs Manager at CAM. “Our hope is that our efforts, joining with other institutions in the Green Business Challenge, will inspire more entities to do the same. Change is needed on a large scale, but it has to start somewhere. We hope that CAM’s small spark can aid in igniting a mass effort to make things better for generations to come.” 

Re-joining the Green Business Challenge in 2023 at the Apprentice level, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis implemented several green initiatives under the direction of their Green Team, such as establishing a no-idling plan at their loading dock and installing idle-free signage. Likewise, CAM updated signage around existing recycling receptacles throughout the building and installed and distributed sustainability education signs and information for the workplace and at home. 

During the Challenge, CAM made updates to its HVAC system and window shades in the main galleries to protect artwork on view from light and moisture and reduce the museum’s overall energy usage and related emissions. CAM also installed motion sensor light switches in all its public restrooms to further reduce excess energy use. 

Other innovations included a partnership with a local vendor that upholds a green purchasing and compostable single serving policy to take over CAM’s café operations. The museum also eliminated the use of Styrofoam and single use plastic for meetings and events, replacing disposables with glass, aluminum cans and refillable serving options. Additionally, CAM adopted a Green Purchasing Policy for all janitorial, cleaning and maintenance supplies that are sourced from local green vendors.  

To learn more about Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis’ sustainability efforts and how your company can get involved in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge, subscribe to their bi-monthly E-Newsletter or visit stlouisgreenchallenge.com. For more on the link between sustainability and air quality, explore our website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @gatewaycleanair. 

CK Power has been a leading manufacturer and distributor of off-highway power products for nearly a century. Headquartered in St. Louis, the company keeps sustainability at the core of everything they do and remains committed to making choices that protect the environment and pass efficiency benefits on to their valued customers. This month, we’re pleased to shine a spotlight on CK Power for earning the title of 2023 St. Louis Green Business Challenge Apprentice for choosing action items from a menu of basic sustainability policies and practices to start the process of greening their business operations.

“The CK Power Family of Companies provides products and services to a wide variety of industries. We take seriously the responsibility to help protect the environment for current and future generations,” said Dewey Barsaloux, facilities manager for CK Power. “As a family-owned company, everything we do centers around our people. We take pride in our family culture and support our employees to protect the environment through education and our recycling programs.”

As a Challenge Apprentice, CK Power met twice with Challenge leaders – once for a “Sustainability 101” training and again for a report-out seminar to learn from peers’ experience and achievements, helping them to integrate recycling tips and other context they learned into their own daily practices.

Over the course of the 2023 Challenge, the company formed a Green Team to lead their sustainability efforts. As a result, employees are now working in a more sustainable environment with a no-smoking policy for indoor working areas and a designated area for smoking outdoors. Additionally, cardboard, cans, paper and bottles are being recycled in working areas, and a water bottle filling station was also installed to cut down on single-use plastic bottles.

Another major accomplishment included energy efficiency improvements across company facilities. CK Power opted for 95% LED lighting in all buildings after updates were made following a lighting audit and Ameren rebate. Similarly, HVAC updates made half of the company’s units work at 17 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) or higher, which is a win-win for higher energy efficiency and greater savings!

CK Power also worked with local service producers to recover special waste streams including metals, pallets, used oil and Crystal Clean, as well as participated in pollution prevention training to further reduce environmental impact and promote eco-stewardship.

For more information about CK Power and how your company can get involved in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge, subscribe to their bi-monthly E-Newsletter or visit stlouisgreenchallenge.com. For more on the link between sustainability and air quality, explore the Clean Air Partnership’s website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @gatewaycleanair.

Car Free Day is right around the corner, and people all around the world are preparing to ditch their keys on September 22. Today, an estimated 1.4 billion cars travel the roads throughout the world, and even though our vehicles offer a convenient way to get around, they also contribute a dangerous amount of pollution to the planet. Having a day off from driving is highly recommended to raise awareness about these concerns and to help reduce auto emissions.

While Car Free Day may be celebrated a number of different ways, the common goal is to take cars off area roads – benefiting the region with a day of less traffic congestion, a greener environment and reduced energy use – with the hope inspiring lasting change beyond a single day. Thankfully, there are plenty of resources available to help St. Louis area residents leave the car keys at home and explore some alternatives to the solo commute so they can continue to take voluntary steps that can improve the quality of air we breathe year-round:

• Take Transit – Public transit systems in the St. Louis region are designed to help eliminate the use of multiple vehicles on the road and offer great alternatives for the work commute or an option to hopping in your car for short trips. Serving St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Clair County, Ill., Metro Transit allows riders to walk to a nearby stop, or park and take a train or bus, or a combination of the two, to get where they’re going – safely, comfortably and conveniently. Those who live in Madison County, Illinois will find Madison County Transit to be a great alternative.
• Ridesharing – With transportation-related emissions being one of the biggest contributors to air pollution, RideFinders offers a path to reduce those emissions by providing a free carpool and vanpool ride matching service for commuters to help improve the overall quality of the air. Ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft match drivers of private vehicles to those seeking transportation and are another great option to eliminate the use of multiple vehicles. Via Metro STL also allows passengers heading in the same direction to hail a vehicle directly from their smartphones using the Via app to get around parts of West, South, and North St. Louis County.
• Walk or Bike – For individuals who live close to work, choosing to walk or bike instead of idling in rush hour traffic helps take cars off area roads and reduces the amount of ozone-forming emissions generated. Walking and biking can also serve as eco-friendly alternatives to run errands and get around town when weather conditions are favorable to help keep air quality in healthy ranges. Walking and biking can also be easily paired with public transit.
• Telecommute – According to the Pew Research Center, roughly 14% of all employed adults in the U.S. work from home all the time. For those that can work from home, continuing to telecommute full-time or at least occasionally is encouraged to help reduce harmful auto emissions that contribute to ozone formation.

Drop the keys and pledge to be car-free on September 22 to do your share for cleaner air. For a host of additional tips on how to achieve cleaner air all year long, explore the Clean Air Partnership’s website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @gatewaycleanair.

The Clean Air Partnership is delighted to spotlight another Green Schools Quest winner – Fern Ridge High School of the Parkway School District in Creve Coeur – for its sustainability projects impacting the larger community. Deemed “Harvesting Harmony,” their Quest projects earned them the “Judges’ Choice” Award this past school year for standing out as unique and inspirational.

“Fern Ridge allowed their students to explore a wide range of sustainability topics, and their inclusion of student voice and student choice impressed the judging panel immensely,” said Deborah Rogers Curtis, Green Schools Coordinator for the Missouri Gateway Green Building Council. “The passion and impact of the students’ work was inspiring!”

Fern Ridge High School is a non-traditional program for Parkway School District high school students interested in an alternative path. Classes are personalized to meet the academic, social, physical and mental health goals of each student. The school day is shortened, and the program is self-paced for students so they can participate in work experiences or service learning. Fern Ridge’s work in the Green Schools Quest provided unique opportunities for the students to engage in sustainability, contributing to their school community, as well as communities around the region and even the world. There is a deep commitment to educating from a “whole child” approach at Fern Ridge, and their Green Schools Quest project touched on each of their core values.

With support from Green Schools Mentor Emily Forthaus of Jacobs Engineering and School Leader Rachel Metze, the students at Fern Ridge High School put their green thumbs to use, growing food on a tower garden to use in culinary classes and to give to local families, as well as planting a native pollinator garden featuring 10 trees. Students explored traditional recycling and terracycling items that are difficult to recycle locally to keep trash out of hazardous landfills and incinerators by turning waste into raw materials for new products. They also participated in “Wellness Wednesdays,” fundraised money for reforestation in Africa, and practiced sustainable waste management and energy conservation, all of which greatly helped benefit the region’s air quality.

“The Clean Air Partnership is proud to continue to collaborate with the Green Schools Quest to recognize the important work underway by our local schools to build a more sustainable community and a greener future,” said Susannah Fuchs, Director of Clean Air for the American Lung Association in Missouri. “The amount of work and creativity that went into Fern Ridge’s projects was very impressive, and we hope it will inspire others to take action for the environment and clean air.”

Registration for the 2024-2025 Green Schools Quest remains open through September 15. For more information on the Quest and Fern Ridge High School’s sustainability projects, visit www.showmegreenschools.org/gsq/. To learn more about the link between sustainability and air quality, explore the Clean Air Partnership’s website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @gatewaycleanair.

With summer winding down and area students heading back to the classroom, the Clean Air Partnership is pleased to shine a spotlight on local schools who’ve implemented sustainability projects and made positive impacts on air quality. As a proud supporter of the Green Schools Quest, an annual project-based, student-driven challenge to devise and implement no-to-low-cost sustainability projects over a six-month period, we’re thrilled to congratulate Pershing Elementary School in University City for its air quality-friendly achievements.

During the 2023-2024 school year, Pershing Elementary was awarded the “Rookie of the Year” Spotlight Award in the Green Schools Quest. Participation in the Quest aligned well with the school’s mission to provide joyful and meaningful learning opportunities for its students by allowing them to drive the project from their own interests. The winning project – under the guidance of Lora Davenport, School Lead and Sustainability Facilitator, Principal Deitra Colquitt and Green Mentor Anne Cummings – entailed creating an afterschool program where students had the opportunity to gather with peers from their grade level and pursue sustainability initiatives.

“Pershing Elementary’s project is an excellent example of what is possible when teachers and administrators collaborate and put kids first,” said Deborah Rogers Curtis, Green Schools Coordinator for the Missouri Gateway Green Building Council. “Their after-school program met a need of the students and also introduced them to new concepts that will stick with them for years to come.”

At the beginning of the club’s program, students wrote an “I wish” statement about something they wanted to change at school. Then, they used the engineering process to find a solution. The overall goal of the afterschool club was to ensure a healthier campus for all students through the resolution of some of the identified problems, and each grade level focused on a different sustainability initiative.

For example, kindergarten students inspired by a visiting eighth grade student took on the project of removing styrofoam trays from the cafeteria. This was a great step towards improving air quality since the styrofoam manufacturing process releases large amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere. Meanwhile, second and third graders focused on recycling to promote waste reduction efforts important to minimizing the amount of trash that ends up in toxic landfills. Fourth and fifth graders also worked to attract birds to campus, which helps support healthy ecosystems that produce cleaner air.

“The Clean Air Partnership is excited to collaborate with the Green Schools Quest to share the great work being accomplished by schools across the bi-state region,” said Susannah Fuchs, Director of Clean Air for the American Lung Association in Missouri. “The project at Pershing Elementary is an inspiring example of how young people can practice sustainability and truly make a difference in their communities.”

Registration for the 2024-2025 Green Schools Quest is now open, with the deadline to sign up on September 15. For more information on the Quest and Pershing Elementary’s sustainability project, visit www.showmegreenschools.org/gsq/. To learn more about the link between sustainability and air quality, explore our website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @gatewaycleanair.

Transportation-related emissions are one of the biggest contributors to air pollution. The Clean Air Partnership and Citizens for Modern Transit are therefore launching a “Go for the Gold. Be a Champion for Clean Air. Take Transit Everywhere.” campaign in conjunction with the 2024 Summer Olympics – as late July into August is traditionally known as the hottest stretch of summer and poses the greatest threat for poor air quality. This two-week-long effort will work to remind individuals to take MetroLink and MetroBus to get to school, work, sports and entertainment venues and everywhere else they need to go. Doing so will help reduce auto emissions and improve regional air quality conditions, while saving transit riders money on gasoline, parking fees and the maintenance costs associated with personal vehicle usage.

“The St. Louis region is no stranger to poor air quality conditions,” said Susannah Fuchs, Director of Clean Air for the American Lung Association in Missouri, which oversees the Clean Air Partnership. “There is a lot of work to be done to protect our local communities from the continued risks to public health resulting from elevated air pollution levels, particularly during the peak of summer when extreme weather conditions significantly impact daily air quality. It’s imperative that area residents stay informed about the quality of the air we breathe and continue to take voluntary steps to reduce emissions to help improve outcomes.”

Area residents can visit www.GoForTheGoldSTL.com to complete a pledge form acknowledging their commitment to take transit between July 26 thru Aug. 11, in addition to their consent to receive color-coded, daily air quality forecasts via email stating if the forecast for the following day is a GREEN (good), YELLOW (moderate), ORANGE (unhealthy for sensitive groups) or RED (unhealthy for everyone) air quality day. The first 150 to do so will receive a “Going for the Gold, 2024 Clean Air Champion” vinyl sticker and a $5 Metro Transit Day Pass good for unlimited rides on MetroLink or MetroBus for an entire day. The site also provides detailed information about available modes of public transit provided throughout the bi-state area by Metro Transit and the St. Clair County Transit District – and links to associated schedules, pricing, programs, incentives and more.

“We know that auto emissions play a drastic role in what the air quality is on any given day,” added Kimberly Cella, Executive Director for Citizens for Modern Transit. “As the summer heats up and the potential for poor air quality days to be forecast increases, we want people to take action with alternate modes of transportation.”

Those who track their transit trips by responding to campaign text messages from July 26 to Aug. 11 will also get a free, patriotic “Public Transit” t-shirt mailed to them, while supplies last. Each time respondents track their transit trips, their name will be entered into a drawing to win one of 10, September monthly Metro Transit passes up for grabs – valued at $78 each.

Street teams from partnering organizations behind the “Be A Champion for Clean Air. Take Transit There.” campaign will also be at select MetroLink and MetroBus stops the morning of Thursday, July 25, 2024. These representatives will be handing out campaign-themed lanyards and card holders with an educational insert encouraging people to scan a QR code to commit to “Going for the Gold” by taking transit and signing up to receive the daily air quality forecasts.

To learn more about the region’s air quality, public transportation options and campaign efforts, visit www.GoForTheGoldSTL.com.

Years of scientific research have established that ozone and particle pollution are a threat to human health at every stage of life. Some groups of people, however, are more at risk of illness and death than others because they are more likely to be exposed, are more vulnerable to health harm, or often both.

According to the “State of the Air” report again this year, the health burden of air pollution is not evenly shared. Research has shown that people of color are more likely to be exposed to air pollution and suffer harm to their health from breathing polluted air. Over the years, decision-makers have found it easier to place sources of pollution, such as power plants, industrial facilities, landfills and highways, in economically disadvantaged communities of color than in more affluent, predominantly white neighborhoods. The resulting disproportionate exposure to polluted air has contributed to high rates of emergency department visits for asthma and other lung diseases.

Report findings revealed that, although people of color make up 41.6% of the overall U.S. population, they are 52% of the people living in a county with at least one failing grade for ozone and/or particle pollution. More than 27.5 million people of color live in counties that received failing grades on all three measures, including some 16.8 million Hispanic or Latino people. There’s also evidence that people living in poverty are more likely to live near sources of pollution since they have fewer resources to relocate than those with more financial security, as well as having less access to quality and affordable health care to provide relief to them when they get sick. In the U.S. alone, 16 million people with incomes meeting the federal poverty definition live in counties that received an “F” grade for at least one pollutant, and over 5.4 million people in poverty live in counties that failed all three measures. Children, older adults and people living with underlying health conditions may also be physically more susceptible to the health impacts of air pollution than others.

To help keep these individuals and other area residents informed about ozone pollution levels in the region and how those levels can affect their health, the Clean Air Partnership releases color-coded, daily air quality forecasts all summer long to let area residents know what the next day’s air quality is forecast to be and if they should alter their outdoor activities to minimize exposure to polluted air. This will be especially important later this month and next with a likely uptick of unhealthy air quality days.

For more a host of additional tips to beat the summer heat to help clear the air and protect human health, visit CleanAir-StLouis.com, like the Clean Air Partnership on Facebook, or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @gatewaycleanair.

As one of few free, nonprofit science museums in the country that serves hundreds of thousands of people each year – both within the museum and out in the community – the Saint Louis Science Center recognizes the need to preserve a livable planet. With a campus that features hundreds of interactive experiences in various galleries, the iconic James S. McDonnell Planetarium, and a five-story OMNIMAX® Theater, the Science Center remains committed to its mission of working to inspire everyone to be curious and engaged in science. Its unique responsibility to model sustainability best practices and empower guests and community members to make sustainable choices helped earn them recognition in the 2023 St. Louis Green Business Challenge at the Leader Level. This month, the Clean Air Partnership is pleased to highlight some of those green initiatives.

“The Saint Louis Green Business Challenge provides an operational framework for us as we continue to increase our efforts to be a more sustainable institution,” said Maddie Earnest, current Associate Director of Galleries and former GROW and Life Science Manager at the Saint Louis Science Center. “We are grateful for the relationships we’ve built with other organizations and the ideas we’ve garnered from participating in the Challenge. This program is wonderful for our region.”

During the 2023 Challenge, the Science Center installed more LED lighting in its main kitchen and three different staff areas, as well as installed PaperCut software to better monitor printing usage and encourage less staff printing. To further cut down on waste, the organization hosted its first reduced waste event at the October First Fridays. Garnering over 2,500 attendees, the Science Center diverted roughly 128 gallons of food waste and composite dishware from the landfill to help improve air quality, using the event to set guidelines for lowering its waste accumulation at future large-scale events.

To help cut down on costs and enhance energy efficiency, the Science Center also replaced its original 30-year-old roof and increased the amount of insulation to prevent heat from escaping during cold seasons and keep warm air from entering during hot seasons.

Other impressive accomplishments included a Sustainabili-Chili Cook-Off held for staff members, where the Science Center’s Sustainable Futures Team provided information about decreasing one’s carbon footprint through food choices. Some 50+ staff members in attendance voted for the most sustainable chili, in addition to voting on best flavor and creativity. Additionally, a staff clean-up day helped remove invasive honeysuckle around a neighboring school and clear up plants in other surrounding areas.

To learn more about the Saint Louis Science Center’s sustainability efforts and how your company can get involved in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge, subscribe to their bi-monthly E-Newsletter or visit stlouisgreenchallenge.com. For more on the link between sustainability and air quality, explore our website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @gatewaycleanair.

The Saint Louis Zoo has been dedicated to animal and habitat conservation since its establishment in 1910, providing first-rate care to more than 16,000 animals while also supporting wildlife around the world. As a repeat participant in the 2023 St. Louis Green Business Challenge, the Zoo captured the Clean Air Partnership’s attention for its ongoing commitment to making its campus and operations sustainable through outstanding efforts to reduce its environmental footprint and greenhouse gas emissions and protect natural resources.

“Saint Louis Zoo was proud to participate again in the Challenge,” said Wanda Kolo, Director of Sustainable Operations and Construction Management at Saint Louis Zoo. “We value the programming and educational resources curated by the St. Louis Green Business Challenge team. Webinars, in-person events, and peer information sharing is top notch, keeping the Zoo team engaged and up to speed on the great work happening in the region. We are grateful to have such an incredible peer-learning community!”

Over the course of the 2023 Challenge, the Zoo elected to report on its Champion Innovation Project, the debut of its new electric locomotive that was added to the Emerson Zooline Railroad fleet last March. The new electric locomotive brings a positive, long-term environmental impact to the Zoo with lower greenhouse gas emissions and more sustainable resources. Additionally, the new locomotive reduces maintenance requirements and replacement parts as well as costs of operations, like fueling. It also does not emit fumes and reduces noise in the park, improving guests’ overall experience.

The electric train is named after Mary Meachum, an abolitionist in St. Louis who was instrumental in educating Black people, having established a school for free and enslaved Black children and played a critical role in the Underground Railroad. The “Mary Meachum” is the Zoo’s first train named after a woman and can be identified by the green locomotive at the front of the train. The locomotive also features the number 50 on the side, plus a new but recognizable train whistle.

The Zooline Railroad has served more than 41 million people since it opened in 1963. The popular attraction now has a better and greener future thanks to the new electric locomotive, which has been a great source of pride for zoo staff, volunteers and the broader community. And it’s also a win for air quality!

For more information about Saint Louis Zoo and how your organization can get involved in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge, subscribe to the Challenge’s bi-monthly E-Newsletter or visit stlouisgreenchallenge.com. To learn more about the link between sustainability and air quality, explore the Clean Air Partnership’s website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @gatewaycleanair.

Free Monthly Transit Pass Available for First-Time Transit Users

Transit riders can save more than $13,000 per year just by using public transit instead of driving. Over a 10-year period, that adds up to more than $100,000 in savings. Citizens for Modern Transit – in conjunction with Metro Transit and St. Clair County Transit District – is therefore encouraging drivers to “Dump the Pump” and give transit a try on National Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 20, 2024. Those new to public transit can get a free monthly transit pass while supplies last by registering at www.cmt-stl.org. With transportation-related emissions being one of the biggest contributors to air pollution, taking public transportation is also a great way to reduce harmful auto emissions to help keep the air quality in healthy ranges.

Street teams from partnering organizations will also be at the Grand MetroLink and MetroBus stops – as well as the Fairview Heights Transit Center – on June 20. These representatives will be handing out 100 Grand candy bars to thank transit riders for dumping the pump and to remind them of the many benefits of taking transit.

“With 38 MetroLink stations and 59 MetroBus routes, thousands are already taking transit to get where they need to go and through this campaign we are looking to increase new ridership,” commented Kim Cella, executive director of Citizens for Modern Transit. “Those with personal vehicles can park at any of the 21 free, Park-Ride lots at MetroLink stations on both sides of the river to avoid traffic and save on gas and parking costs when heading to work, school, games and entertainment venues.”

The “Dump the Pump” campaign is part of the partnering organizations’ ongoing efforts to interact with riders, strengthen relationships and reinforce their collective commitment to a safe, comfortable, customer-focused transit experience. To learn more, visit www.cmt-stl.org.

For more information on the link between sustainable transportation and air quality, visit the Clean Air Partnership’s website at www.CleanAir-StLouis.com.