Attaining a better workplace, better air, and a better future

Excuse the possible soapbox nature of this post – but I was inspired to write it after attending a meeting that was both depressing and inspiring at once. It’s a cause that we all need to rally around and work to improve – else we at risk further hurting the economic growth of our community.

In a nutshell, our air quality is bad. The Boise Valley airshed has now crossed the threshold into unofficalnonattainment – exceeding federal standards for ozone (for those interested in the science – ozone is created by the combination of Nitrogen Oxides, Volatile Organic Compounds/VOC’s and sunlight. Hence why we have issues in the summer.)  For years we’ve been warned about it (after having trouble with carbon monoxide and particulate matter pollution) – with experts saying our growth, industry, transportation issues, etc were leading us down this path.

So now we are here – so what?

Well, if the EPA keeps moving towards formally designating our airshed as being in nonattainment in 2010 – land planning, business recruitment, big business growth and all things tied to them (like jobs!) will be placed under tight restrictions for nearly 30 years. I’m preaching to the choir here – we don’t need any more barriers to workforce recruitment and business relocation in Idaho.

But according to Idaho DEQ Director Toni Hardesty, we have a small window to try and reverse our current path.

Individuals, and small to large businesses need to step up and take action – or keep their mouths shut when we get slapped by the feds for not working hard to clean our air. Some action options include:

• Employee alternative transportation plans
• Flex workplace options / telecommunity policies
• Anti-idling policy for company fleets, company property
• Utilizing low or no VOC products
• Switching landscaping to minimize or eliminate lawn mowing

DEQ handed out some pretty useful tools – templates for businesses to use in implementing the above policies. We’re already working at putting the first two bullets into place at our office (we don’t have a lawn – so can’t help with the mowing one!).

Would be curious to hear what you are doing – or can start doing – in your own workplace to help avoid the dreaded official nonattainment.

As part of this commitment to improving our world – we’ve also embarked on a cool challenge with some cross-town marketing colleagues, High Dive Marketing.  The High Sky Challenge was designed to promote health and wellness in our respective workplaces, but maybe one day it will extend deeper into the community. Each participant at our two offices set their own personal goals in three arenas: community, health/nutrition and fitness. What’s a challenge between marketers without a mascot (Olaf) and a blog?! You can check out how we’re doing as we go… and maybe someday Olaf will pay you a visit to lay down a challenge.

- Jess