Arizona needs a new direction for cleaner, healthier air.

For the 24th year in a row, Grand Canyon State has failed on clean air. According to this year’s American Lung Association’s “State of the Air” report card, 84% of Arizonaans have unhealthy levels of ozone (sometimes called “smog”), fine particles (“soot”), or both. live in an area affected by

These pollutants are caused by emissions from transportation and power plants, wildfires, and other sources.

Air pollution can be deadly. Ozone and particle pollution can cause serious reactions such as asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, and exacerbate other heart and lung ailments.Respiratory particle pollution can also cause lung cancer.

Joanna Strother

Devastating wildfires, extreme heat, prolonged drought, and other climate-related factors are becoming the new normal in Arizona. These climate changes are increasing emissions from cars, trucks, power plants and factories, making it difficult to stay on the road to clean air.

Our report shows how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go to ensure healthy air for everyone in our state.

This fact is disturbing and should urge Arizona leaders to support policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and clean up pollution.

Phoenix ranks America’s most polluted city (5th nationally) for the most unhealthy ozone days, 7th worst for annual levels of particulate pollution, and 13th for unhealthy particulate pollution days is.

Pinal County is one of only 11 counties in the United States with three grades: Unhealthy Ozone Days, Particulate Pollution Days, and Failing Particulate Pollution Levels per Year.

Arizonas in the City of Phoenix and Pinal County need our help, as do many other Arizona communities.

The new resiliency office in Arizona is a big step forward and shows how serious we are about improving the air that protects our health. Grand Canyon State must also move forward to harness its solar and other renewable energy capabilities. Improving routes for zero-emission cars, trucks, and school and city buses is also essential.

New federal funding will help strengthen the path to cleaner air, but more needs to be done in the region to make the most of it. We can and should join the growing number of states implementing zero-emission vehicle programs to bring , trucks and buses here. Transportation is a major source of harmful air pollution. To make the most of federal funding, Arizona must also redouble our efforts to invest in our own health, now and for the future. That’s what the people of Arizona deserve is what we want.

A poll last year by the Lung Association found that Arizona voters see climate (76%) and air pollution (80%) as serious issues. Most Arizona residents want more state investment to strengthen federal resources, expand zero-emission charging infrastructure to include small and rural areas, and keep state investments away from fossil fuels. thinking about.

These actions will help clean our air and avoid severe suffering throughout Pinal County, Tribal Areas, and all communities in Arizona.

We have a golden opportunity to plan a healthier course. Doing so could generate $15.1 billion in public health benefits for Arizona, according to Lung Association research on zero-emission transportation and energy. Our state could save 1,300 lives, prevent tens of thousands of asthma attacks, and avoid over 150,000 lost work days. This is because our air, our children and our workforce will be healthier.

you have to do this. Arizonans want to do this. I can do it.

JoAnna Strother is Senior Advocacy Director for the American Lung Association in Arizona.