Author: Julie Hauser

Citizens for Modern Transit and the St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership are heading into the home stretch of their summerlong “No Red Day” campaign. To date, more than 440 individuals have registered to receive a FREE Metro Adventure Day Pass to give transit a try, especially on really hot days, as rising temperatures and transportation-related emissions combine to create dangerous levels of ozone air pollution.

There have been no “Red” – or unhealthy – air quality days reported yet this summer, and with peak ozone season wrapping at the end of this month, our campaign will conclude then as well.

Help us finish strong by continuing to take MetroLink and MetroBus to get to school, work, appointments, sports and entertainment venues, and everywhere else you need to go. Forgoing a personal vehicle, even if it’s just occasionally, can make a big impact.

Learn more at www.NoRedDay.com. Free passes are available to new registrants through August 31.

Together, we can do our share for cleaner air and prevent a red day from happening.

Scientific evidence continues to reinforce what many communities are experiencing firsthand: climate change is making it increasingly difficult to protect public health. While these threats pose serious long-term concerns, their effects are already evident today. Rising global temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns are fueling higher levels of air pollution — particularly ozone air pollution — leading to more frequent and severe unhealthy air days.

According to the American Lung Association’s 2025 “State of the Air” report, more than 125 million people — about 37% of the U.S. population — were exposed to unhealthy levels of ozone pollution during the years 2021–2023. This worsening trend is largely fueled by climate-related conditions like extreme heat, droughts and wildfires. Together, these factors are not only driving up pollution levels but also making it harder for cities and states to reduce emissions and meet clean air goals.

Here in the St. Louis region, ozone pollution remains a persistent challenge. Several days this summer have been classified as “yellow” (moderate), which poses concerns for those with respiratory issues or heightened sensitivity to polluted air. The region has also experienced at least one “orange” day, when air quality is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups and potentially the general public. In recent years, wildfire smoke drifting from Canada and the West Coast has triggered some of the worst air quality events on record, impacting cities nationwide, including New York, Chicago and St. Louis.

While everyone is affected by poor air quality, certain groups are especially vulnerable. Children, older adults, people with asthma or other lung conditions, pregnant individuals, and those who work or exercise outdoors face a higher risk of serious health impacts. For these individuals in particular, it’s important to monitor daily air quality and take precautions when pollution levels are elevated.

To help keep residents informed and safe, the Clean Air Partnership issues daily, color-coded air quality forecasts during the summer months. These forecasts provide a clear snapshot of what the air will be like the next day and offer guidance on whether people should limit outdoor activity. With the ozone season in full swing, these updates are an essential resource for helping the public reduce exposure and minimize health risks.

Additionally, our “No Red Day” campaign with Citizens for Modern Transit is running through the end of August, encouraging individuals to ride MetroLink and MetroBus to get to school, work, appointments, sporting events, entertainment venues and everywhere else they need to go. The goal is to help reduce emissions and prevent a red air quality day from happening in the region. Area residents can still visit NoRedDay.com to register for a FREE Metro Adventure Day Pass (a $5 value), which provides unlimited rides on the transit system for a day of their choice.

For more information, visit CleanAir-StLouis.com, like us on Facebook or follow @gatewaycleanair on X.

The St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station is making waves with its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The St. Louis Aquarium is a 120,000-square-foot facility, filled with more than 13,000 aquatic animals across 44 exhibits, including a 250,000-gallon shark habitat. As a proud participant in the 2024 St. Louis Green Business Challenge, the Aquarium has embraced a hands-on approach to reducing its environmental footprint while inspiring guests to live more sustainably.

“Here at the St. Louis Aquarium, we aim to educate and inspire our guests by bringing them surprisingly close to nature,” said Connor Murray, guest experience supervisor and green team chair member for the St. Louis Aquarium. “We humans share this water planet with some incredible plants and animals, and being a better neighbor with them is surprisingly easy — and intuitive! We’re grateful to the Challenge for helping us explore new ways to engage our guests around living sustainably.”

Throughout the 2024 Challenge, the Aquarium initiated several impactful projects across its operations. It revitalized its Rain Garden, earning certification as a National Wildlife Habitat. The organization also switched to recyclable receipt paper in its ticketing offices and responsibly recycled more than 1,000 pounds of materials over the past year. Additionally, internal systems saw sustainable upgrades, including a reorganized and streamlined staff recycling area to improve access and participation.

The Aquarium’s dedication to innovation even extended to guest-focused sustainability efforts. The Guest Experience team launched a crayon melting initiative, repurposing used crayons to help reduce landfill waste and create fun, eco-conscious souvenirs. In another creative reuse project, retired Team Member shirts were transformed into t-shirt bags during a Friends and Family event. Furthermore, the Life Sciences’ water reclamation process has saved millions of gallons of water per year for future reuse, aiding in the organization’s commitment to responsible water and air quality stewardship.

Through all its endeavors and with every initiative, the St. Louis Aquarium reinforces its three guiding principles: Education, Conservation and Imagination. From habitat restoration to recycling and creative reuse strategies, the Aquarium continues to show how small, intentional changes can spark meaningful environmental impact.

For more information about Saint Louis Aquarium at Union Station 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 @gatewaycleanair.

As a proud participant in the 2024 St. Louis Green Business Challenge, Missouri American Water continues to set the standard for environmental leadership. During the Challenge year, the company reported on its Champion Innovation Project – the South Water Treatment Plant Intake System Replacement – a transformative upgrade that underscores how essential service providers can also be leaders in clean air and climate resilience.

Through this forward-thinking infrastructure project, Missouri American Water has delivered measurable, high-impact results that support both environmental stewardship and long-term community health. The Clean Air Partnership is pleased to shine a spotlight on the company for its bold commitment to green infrastructure, helping build a cleaner, more sustainable future for the St. Louis region.

“We are excited to reinforce Environmental Stewardship, one of American Water’s core values, with the replacement of this key facility needed to supply safe and reliable water to our customers in South St. Louis County,” said Mattie Zautner, staff engineer for Missouri American Water.

The project included a host of innovative design elements that support both water quality and air quality goals. One of the most critical enhancements was the elevation of all pump motors and electrical components, positioned nearly 10 feet above the record flood level. This unique design helps reduce the risk of flood damage and ensures ongoing system reliability, even during extreme weather events driven by climate change.

In another nod to sustainability, the company installed six new high-efficiency intake pumps, each with a dedicated flow meter to monitor energy performance. These meters offer real-time insights into pump efficiency, helping reduce energy consumption and associated emissions, which are key contributors to the region’s air quality.

To further minimize operational impact, automated water flushing and air burst cleaning systems were added to reduce the need for manual maintenance and maintain optimal system function. Each pump is also equipped with three vibration sensors to detect potential issues early and improve operational efficiency.

Also part of the project, the addition of standby emergency power not only improved resiliency but ensured continued access to clean water without interruption, which is an especially critical service during climate events. Improved site access also supports safer, more efficient service for large vehicles and maintenance crews, which in turn reduces greenhouse gas emissions that have a negative impact on air quality.

For more information about Missouri American Water 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 @gatewaycleanair.

Transit riders and those visiting local establishments along the MetroLink alignment on Wednesday, July 30, be on the lookout for oversized white envelopes with a big, red question mark. These will be hidden in plain sight on the MetroLink and MetroBuses, as well as at Metro Transit Centers and nearby attractions. If you find one, take it, look inside and claim your FREE ride – as each will feature either a complimentary monthly pass for August (valued at $78) or a Metro Adventure Day Pass (valued at $5).

This daylong “surprise and delight” is part of the summerlong “No Red Day” campaign designed to educate community members about the impact of unhealthy air quality and how simple steps, like taking transit, can help prevent a red day from happening. This is particularly important as summer reaches its peak because higher temperatures combined with vehicle emissions can create dangerous levels of ground-level ozone pollution. Red air quality days are the worst on the Air Quality Index and can have serious health consequences for vulnerable populations, including children, seniors and people with respiratory conditions.

If you aren’t among the dozens of individuals to find free passes on July 30, be reminded that all who register for the “No Red Day” campaign at NoRedDay.com receive a Metro Adventure Day Pass via mail to give transit a try.

Join the St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership and Citizens for Modern Transit – along with Metro Transit and hundreds of area residents – in this clean air movement today. Visit NoRedDay.com to learn more.

For more than half a century, Growing Green has served as St. Louis’ premier plantscaping company, presenting beautiful indoor and outdoor garden design solutions that enhance and optimize the functionality of workspaces. With a curated mission to create thoughtfully designed spaces that promote health, happiness, and productivity, the Clean Air Partnership is delighted to shine a spotlight on the company for its commitment to making a difference for other local businesses – large or small – while keeping sustainability at the forefront of its operations. 

As a participant in the 2024 St. Louis Green Business Challenge at the Leader Level, Growing Green conducted Indoor Plant Week visits to existing and potential clients to educate them on plant benefits for working environments and the difference between living plants vs. faux plants in the workspace. Additionally, the company had its Green Team members attend a Sustainability Tradeshow to explore sustainable and compostable office material options, which led to using sustainable toilet paper and compostable kitchen towels in the office space. The company also elected to offer compostable and recyclable takeaway containers for its travel crew and kitchenware for in-office staff to use. 

“Becoming more sustainable is a priority for us at Growing Green,” said Jodi Stumpf, Director of Operations for Growing Green. “The Green Business Challenge has pushed us to explore new ways to cut waste and commit to more environmentally friendly practices. By making sustainability a focus, we’re supporting our team, clients, community and planet.” 

To help further reduce environmental impact, Growing Green introduced a new solar paneled work van to reduce its overall carbon footprint as its electrical equipment can run for up to four out of eight hours in a working day. And during the Challenge, Growing Green continually strived to reuse and repurpose holiday decor and ornaments. When this could no longer be done for client work, the company donated still useful items to partner charities. Growing Green also opted to repurpose and return certain containers to company plant vendors for reuse where possible.  

Other ways the company stayed green all year long included composting to cut down on excess waste, making every effort to buy local, testing solar-powered water pumps for its watering vehicles, transitioning from gas-powered lawn tools and equipment to electric-powered, scheduling service routes to maximize efficiency and save fuel, using biological controls such as beneficial insects and insecticidal soaps to reduce the use of synthetic chemicals and more. 

For more information about Growing Green and how your organization can get involved in the 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 Twitter) @gatewaycleanair. 

Bi-State Development operates Metro Transit for the St. Louis region, providing the greater metropolitan area with sustainable and accessible transportation through light rail, bus and paratransit routes serving communities in St. Louis and St. Louis County in Missouri and in St. Clair County in Illinois. As a participant in the 2024 St. Louis Green Business Challenge and proud partner of the Clean Air Partnership, we’re pleased to highlight the organization’s outstanding efforts to incorporate green business practices that helped earn them recognition at the Leader Level.

Over the course of the 2024 Challenge, Metro Transit elected to report on its partnership with Ameren Missouri that powered its fleet of 24 electric buses operating out of the Brentwood MetroBus facility. The facility is powered by a nearby substation featuring smart technology that includes automated sensors, switches and self-healing equipment.

During the Challenge year, Metro Transit achieved an impressive sustainability milestone marking 1.5 million miles traveled for its battery-electric bus fleet. The public transit system also formalized a contract to acquire 55 MetroLink train cars with battery onboard energy storage, which can support up to five miles of off-wire operation.

Other notable accomplishments included Metro Transit’s sponsorship of the annual St. Louis Earth Day Festival, where team members engaged with the local sustainability community at the Muny grounds in Forest Park. Metro team members manned the booth and enjoyed interacting with crowds, spreading positive transit news and handing out fun giveaways with a clean and green electric bus serving as a vivid backdrop.

Last but certainly not least, Metro Transit was awarded more than $10 million by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) through its Low-and-No-Emission (Low-No) Vehicle program. The grant funding is going toward enhancing MetroBus service and improving air quality in the bi-state area through its purchase of new American-made, hybrid diesel-electric buses, which is a big win for the region!

“Bi-State Development’s participation in the Green Business Challenge goes hand in hand with our mission to improve the quality of life in our community,” said Taulby Roach, President & CEO of Bi-State Development. “We continue to make investments to strengthen the sustainability of our operations and our facilities, upgrade our transit fleet with new low and zero-emission vehicles, and adopt new technology that helps us deliver environmental and economic benefits to the entire St. Louis region.”

For more information about how to get your organization involved in the Green Business Challenge, subscribe to the 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 Twitter) @gatewaycleanair.

When summer hits its peak, so does poor air quality. Rising temperatures and transportation-related emissions can combine to create dangerous levels of ozone air pollution in the bi-state area. The St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership and Citizens for Modern Transit are therefore teaming up to launch a “No Red Day” campaign later this month that will run through August. This effort encourages individuals to take simple steps – like taking MetroLink and MetroBus to get to school, work, appointments, sports and entertainment venues, and everywhere else they need to go – to help prevent a red air quality day from happening. 

“When a red day is forecast, that means the air may contain higher levels of ground-level ozone, which forms when sunlight meets emissions from cars, fuels and everyday activities – and is unhealthy for everyone to breathe, especially children, seniors and people with existing respiratory conditions,” said Susannah Fuchs, Director of Healthy Air Solutions for the American Lung Association in Missouri, which oversees the Clean Air Partnership. “These days can be preventable if we take action, so it’s imperative that all of us continue to take voluntary steps to reduce emissions and help improve outcomes.” 

Area residents can visit NoRedDay.com to access a wealth of air quality information and ways to do their share for cleaner air to reduce transportation-related emissions. They can also register to receive a FREE Metro Adventure Day Pass (valued at $5) via mail for unlimited rides on transit on the day of their choice. Street teams from the partnering organizations will be at select MetroLink and MetroBus stops the morning of Wednesday, June 18, handing out individualized boxes of Hot Tamales candies with a scannable QR code sticker for riders to sign up to receive their next free ride. Our representatives will also be stationed outside Busch Stadium before the Cardinals game on Friday, June 20, handing out complimentary Cracker Jacks tied to the campaign for fans to enjoy. 

“We know auto emissions significantly impact daily air quality,” said Kimberly Cella, Executive Director of Citizens for Modern Transit. “With rising summer temperatures and more poor air quality days expected, we’re encouraging people to choose public transit with the first ride on us.” 

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

As daily air quality forecasting makes its return for the 2025 season, the American Lung Association’s latest “State of the Air” report finds that even after decades of successful efforts to reduce sources of air pollution, 46% of Americans – 156.1 million individuals – are living in places that received failing grades for unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution. This is nearly 25 million more people breathing unhealthy air compared to the years covered in last year’s report (2020-2022), and more than in any other “State of the Air” report in the last 10 years. The data reinforces the need to protect our local communities from the continued risks to public health resulting from a combination of factors, including extreme heat, drought, wildfire smoke and more.

Looking back at the “State of the Air” data from almost 30 years ago, when the average number of high ozone days in the St. Louis region approached 50 in the summers of 1996-1998, the drop to just 10.5 high ozone days in the most recent report is a sign of progress. But that progress is tainted by the fact that, for the first time in nine years, the St. Louis region ranked among the top 25 most ozone-polluted U.S. cities, coming in at number 21 on the list for high ozone days out of 228 metropolitan areas. The region also ranked 17^th on the list for most polluted cities by annual particle pollution, which is up 13 spots from the previous year. Additionally, St. Louis was reported among the top two cities with the largest change in rank, worsening from 30^th to 21^st for the topmost ozone-polluted U.S. cities, falling second only to Tulsa, Okla., which moved from 31^st on the list to 19^th worst overall.

The most up-to-date report findings have added to the extensive evidence that a changing climate is making it harder to protect this hard-fought progress on air quality and human health. Increases in high ozone days and spikes in particle pollution related to extreme heat, drought and wildfires are putting millions of people at risk and adding challenges to the work that states and cities are doing across the nation to clean up air pollution. And after several years of reporting that the worst of the nation’s air quality problems were increasingly concentrated in western states, “State of the Air” 2025 finds the geographic distribution of air pollution shifting back East.

Here’s a look at the latest rankings for ozone pollution across the region for counties in the non-attainment area included in the American Lung Association’s report:

Missouri                                                                                                               Illinois

“For 30 years, the St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership has been encouraging voluntary steps to reduce emissions in order to protect lung health, but the latest air quality data makes it clear our region remains a long way from achieving truly healthy air,” said Susannah Fuchs, Director of Healthy Air Solutions for the American Lung Association in Missouri. “As we approach summer when poor air quality becomes more frequent, we urge residents and businesses to renew their commitment to the individual and collective efforts that are essential to improving air quality and protecting public health, especially for children, older adults and those with respiratory conditions who are most at risk. Continued vigilance and community participation are key to ensuring cleaner air and healthier outcomes for everyone in the region.”

According to the 2025 “State of the Air” report, exposure to unhealthy levels of ozone air pollution continues to make breathing difficult for more people living in the U.S. than any other single pollutant. For the three years covered in this year’s report (2021-2023), 37% of the population – some 125.2 million people – were exposed to levels of ozone that put their health at risk. This is an increase of 24.6 million people over last year’s figure, and includes tens of millions of infants and children, people aged 65 or older and others whose conditions make them especially vulnerable to health harm from air pollution. Nationwide, nearly five times as many counties’ ozone levels worsened as improved. Nine states saw the number of unhealthy days for ozone get worse in every one of their counties monitored for this pollutant, including all 23 monitored counties in Illinois and all 17 in Missouri. This encompasses the combined eight counties on both sides of the Mississippi River that fall into the designated non-attainment area in the bi-state region.

Despite the widespread worsening in parts of the country, the list of the worst 25 cities for ozone pollution in “State of the Air” report and their order of ranking remains relatively stable compared with last year’s report. In one other small piece of good news, none of the cities on the list reported a worst-ever average number of days of ozone smog, which is created in part from sources like vehicle exhaust.

“Since transportation remains one of the biggest contributors to air pollution and smog, the ways we choose to travel are some of the simplest and most effective actions to reduce harmful emissions,” Fuchs added. “Small shifts – such as taking public transit, carpooling, combining trips, telecommuting, or walking and biking – can add up to a big difference when it comes to air quality. Beyond commuting, adopting energy-saving habits, reducing waste, and reusing materials are other meaningful steps individuals and businesses can take to protect lung health and the environment.”

As it marks its 30^th year, the Clean Air Partnership is renewing its commitment to increasing awareness of regional air quality issues and encouraging activities to reduce air pollution emissions. Area residents can visit CleanAir-StLouis.com to sign up to receive color-coded, daily air quality forecasts via their email inboxes or text through the Environmental Protection Agency’s EnviroFlash air quality alert system to stay informed about ozone pollution levels in the region and how those levels can affect their health. This is especially crucial on orange or red unhealthy air quality days when individuals should plan to alter their outdoor activities to minimize exposure to polluted air. While on the site, people can also access a wealth of air quality information and tips to do their share for cleaner air all summer long.

Additional air quality information and the daily forecast can be accessed by liking the Clean Air Partnership on Facebook, or by following the organization on X (formerly Twitter) @gatewaycleanair. To access the full American Lung Association 2025 “State of the Air” report, visit Lung.org.

The St. Louis Cardinals are one of the oldest and most successful Major League Baseball teams in the nation, playing their home games at Busch Stadium, right in the heart of the downtown St. Louis. In addition to chasing World Series championships on the field, the Cardinals earned Champion Level recognition in the 2024 St. Louis Green Business Challenge, which they’ve been an active participant in all 15 years of the Challenge. Just in time for Opening Day, the Clean Air Partnership is pleased to spotlight the Cardinals’ ongoing commitment to promoting environmental stewardship and sustainability in the region.

“Year after year, the St. Louis Green Business Challenge adds value to commitments the Cardinals make to sustainable achievement,” said Mairead Scanlon, supervisor of facility and logistics for the Cardinals. “The Challenge encourages us to think creatively about how we can further our sustainable practices and serves as a reminder about the importance of maintaining the programs we have already implemented.”

In 2024, the Cardinals launched several green initiatives to reduce excess waste. Alongside concessionaire Delaware North, the Cardinals partnered with Operation Food Search (OFS) to regularly give back to feed the less fortunate, donating 10.4 tons of food last year alone. To conserve energy in Busch Stadium’s all-inclusive areas, LED lights were also installed in the newly debuted Budweiser 703 Club. This is an important eco-friendly upgrade as LED lights contribute to better air quality by reducing energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions, minimizing light pollution, and eliminating the use of harmful chemicals found in traditional lighting. Additionally, more than 1.4 tons of e-Waste were recycled throughout the stadium to further reduce environmental impact.

On top of that, the Cardinals implemented new and improved sustainability measures such as collecting ink and toner cartridges used in the offices and recycling them through Kyocera’s ECO footPRINT Toner Recycling Program. Recycling cartridges is an effective way to reduce airborne pollutants by preventing the release of hazardous materials into landfills and cuts down the need for manufacturing new cartridges, which consumes resources and energy.

During the Challenge, efforts were also taken to grow the Cardinals Green Team, which is made up of volunteers who collect recyclables during games to divert waste from local landfills. Volunteer retention was promoted through a new incentive program – based on the number of games individuals worked – that offered promotional items, Cardinals tickets and invitations to volunteer for concerts. Likewise, the organization spearheaded another Green Team recruitment initiative with in-game tabling in Ford Plaza throughout the season to help boost volunteer enrollment in the program.

For more information on the St. Louis Cardinals and how your company can get involved in the 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.