air quality

Seize this hazardous moment: please take 1 quick climate action

/ Tracy Abell / 4 Comments

The northeastern portion of the United States is currently experiencing what millions around the world endure on a daily basis as they struggle to breathe polluted air. The smoke from wildfires in Canada are engulfing the northeast and I feel horrible for the people living there (and everyone else around the globe breathing bad air).

I appreciated the contrast of the photos in the above tweet, but the text is incorrect: NYC is currently experiencing HAZARDOUS air quality (they’ve moved far beyond Unhealthy) as seen in this chart:

NYC is at 342 on the AQI.** 

The one bit of good news in this dystopian nightmare is that the experience of hazardous air quality might finally, finally shake the power brokers into rethinking their climate stances. Third Act is encouraging us to send a quick email to the CitiBank CEO (Jane Fraser), her chief of staff (Margo Pilic), and the Chief Sustainability Officer (Val Smith) who are currently breathing that hazardous air.

MESSAGE: “Please stop funding the expansion of fossil fuels so that we may all breathe easier.” (Note: I also included my Colorado wildfire smoke experiences)

(I sent one email addressed to Jane Fraser and CCd the other two):
jane.fraser@citi.com
margo.pilic@citi.com
val.smith@citi.com

Thank you for reading and I hope wherever you are, you and your lungs are safe. Solidarity! ✊🏽

 

**updated AQI 392

Good Day Sunshine

/ Tracy Abell / 1 Comment

We woke to 8-9 inches of snow this morning after a high of 58 degrees yesterday. I should be used to Colorado’s swiftly-changing weather patterns and yet was still surprised to see that beautiful white blanket outside. We’re in desperate need of moisture so  it was with happy hearts that Wildebeest and I shoveled all that heavy snow (although he might define the experience differently).

Zippy and I just walked Emma through the slushy streets of our neighborhood.

It was a bit chilly in the shade but nice in the sun. And those dry patches of pavement were especially welcome. This low-quality photo taken with my phone doesn’t do justice to how good it felt to be outside in the sunshine, breathing clean, crisp air.

ETA: Zippy sent me these photos right after I’d posted.

             

Happiness is . . .

/ Tracy Abell / 2 Comments

View from my front step. November 10, 2020.

. . . relatively clean air.

This is Denver as seen from my front step. For much of the past several months, the buildings were obscured by wildfire smoke and ash. Downtown was a hazy mirage.

Yesterday, it snowed. Today? I ran and breathed freely. Deeply. Happily.