My name is Jessica and I live in Decatur, Georgia with my husband and our two dogs. I grew up in the Metro Atlanta area and spend most of my free time outdoors – whether it be hiking, running, yoga or walking around town – I am happiest when I am outside.
Being an avid outdoors person – clean air is very important to me. The more time I spend running in my neighborhood, the more it becomes obvious how clean air is not a priority for most people. It is hard enough to run outside in Atlanta’s humidity – but when a car passes you you get a deep breath of emissions and you can instantly feel the negative impact this has on your body. Also, my office building has a beautiful view towards Downtown Atlanta – but it is largely impeded by the air pollution. It is terrible to look down towards the city center and see it covered by pollution and the impact that has on the thousands of people everyday.
I hope that people simply start to care about clean air. Living in Decatur I hear a lot that I am a tree hugger and hippie who cares about air and recycling – but I do not understand why that is perceived as a bad thing! How could you not care? I want to see people open their minds to the importance of clean air and the impact that it has on everyone – no one is protected from our air pollution. Once people start to care then I think that will allow and encourage Washington to put in place protections for us.
Written by Jessica
