There are a number of steps individuals can take in the Roanoke and New River Valleys to improve regional air quality. Changing the way you drive, the way you work, and even changing a light bulb can all have dramatic effects.

If every American home replaced just one light bulb with a compact fluorescent bulb we would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars. The Wikipedia entry on Compact Fluorescent Lamps has an incredible amount of information about the personal savings and positive environmental impact that can be achieved through switching to CFLs.

Most replacement bulbs can be found in your local department or home improvement store such as Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, or Home Depot. You can also find them online, including harder-to-find decorative and speciality bulbs, at the Environmental Defense website. Local groups such as the Cool Cities Coalition sponsor giveaways of CFLs at events and meeting. Through partnership with Cool Cities, RIDE Solutions has already distributed over 700 bulb to Roanoke Valley citizens!

Because CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, they cannot be thrown away like incandescents. They should be recycled through a local household hazardous waste program, such as a Roanoke Valley Hazardous Waste Collection Day or the Hazardous Waste Collection Day held each May in the New River Valley. Please contact your local government for more information about hazardous waste disposal in your area.

You may also want to visit the Energy Star homepage at www.energystar.gov to learn more and take the Change a Light Pledge.

Try the following 10 Simple Steps to improving air quality:

• Take mass transit, share a ride or carpool. Even if you do it just once or twice a week, you'll reduce traffic congestion and pollution, and save money. The average driver spends about 44 cents per mile including ownership and maintenance. Let RIDE Solutions help -- apply online today.
• Trip chain more often. It's easy! Chances are, you're already doing it - combining your errands into one trip. It helps you get things done and it helps reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. When you first start a car after it has been sitting for more than an hour, it pollutes up to five times more than when the engine's warm.
• Have fun! Ride your bike. It's a great way to travel and it can help you and the air get into condition. Vehicles on the road create more than 25% of all air pollution nationwide.
• Take things in stride. Walk or in-line skate instead of driving. They're easy ways to get exercise and they're easy on the air.
• Care for your car. Regular maintenance and tune-ups, changing the oil and checking tire inflation can improve gas mileage, extend your car's life and increase its resale value. It can also reduce traffic congestion due to preventable breakdowns and it could reduce your car's emissions by more than half. Make sure to click your gas cap closed after fueling.
• Get fuel when it's cool. Refueling during cooler periods of the day or in the evening can prevent gas fumes from heating up and creating ozone. And that can help reduce ozone alert days.
• Don't top off the tank. It releases gas fumes into the air and cancels the benefits of the pump's anti-pollution devices. So stopping short of a full tank is safer and reduces pollution.
• Telecommute. Work at home sometimes. You'll save time and money, and reduce emissions and traffic congestion.
• Know before you go. If your area has a travel and transit information network, use it by calling, visiting the web site or tuning into the cable station. Get travel and transit updates before you leave home and you won't get stuck in a jam.
• Spread the word. If you are a member of the Air Quality Action Day list, forward notices you recieve to friends and coworkers. Send your HR director information about our RIDE Solutions Workplace program. Talk to your neighbors about forming a carpool. The more people who make even a little change, the bigger the impact we can all have!