Take the bus or car pool
Reduce traffic congestion, pollution and save money by sharing a ride once or twice a week. The average driver spends about 44 cents per mile including ownership and maintenance. With transportation accounting for more than 30 percent of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, one of the best ways to reduce them is by riding a bus. Public transit saves an estimated 1.4 billion gallons of gas annually, which translates into about 14 million tons of CO2, according to the American Public Transportation Association. METRO Transit helps protect our natural resources by providing an alternative to the automobile for over three million people every year. Single trips cost a mere $1.25. Residents can ride METRO Transit busses free on Clean Air Alert Days. Call 235-RIDE (7433) to have a personalized itinerary created. More info on http://www.gometro.org

Drive less
Cars are the largest source of air pollution and a major source of water pollution. Consider driving less, particularly on Clean Air Alert Days.

Combine errands into one trip
By combining errands into one trip you can reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. When you start a car after it has been sitting for more than an hour, it pollutes up to five times more than when the engine is warm.

Ride your bike or walk
Oklahoma City is constructing a 208-mile network of cycling and walking trails that span the city limits. Check out the Oklahoma River Trails along the Oklahoma River, South Grand Boulevard Trails (perfect for commuting) or the 5.3-mile trail that links Lake Overholser and Lake Hefner.

Maintain your vehicle
Reduce emissions and increase your gas mileage by performing regular maintenance on your vehicle. Tune-ups, changing the oil and checking tire inflation pay off, not only with cleaner air but also with added green in your wallet.

Fuel up in cool weather
Oklahoma summers are hot. Prevent gas fumes from heating up and creating ozone by refueling at night or in the early morning during the summer.

Avoid topping off the tank
Filling the gas tank to the top releases gas fumes into the air and cancels the benefits of the pump’s antipollution devices.

Mowing your lawn
Unless you have an electric mower, avoid lawn mowing on clean air alert days. Some gasoline-powered lawn mowers that run for one hour emit as much pollution as a car driven from Oklahoma City to Albuquerque, New Mexico!

Use a propane or electric grill
Propane and electric grills are better for the environment than charcoal grills. Maintain your propane tanks according to specifications. When you grill, use an electric or a chimney briquette starter to start your charcoal.

*Source: Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and ACOG