John Zamurs, Clean Air NY's Project Manager
John Zamurs, Clean Air NY
As a New Yorker, I often catch myself holding my breath crossing the city's streets. More than once, I've commented that it feels like I'm "sucking on tail pipe" walking out of my apartment that rests on a busy Brooklyn street corner.
Needless to say, it was a breath of fresh air, finding out about Clean Air NY, an organization helping educate the public on practical changes to reduce driving and in turn, the city's climate change-causing carbon emissions.
The mastermind behind it is John Zamurs, Clean Air NY's project manager who founded the group in 2007 as the Head of Air Quality, Energy and Climate Change in the Environmental Science Bureau at the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT)--a position he's held for over 25 years! His early expertise was gleaned earning a B.A. in meteorology from New York University and a M.S. and Ph. D. in atmospheric science from the State University of New York at Albany.
Planet Green: How did you get into this line of work?
John Zamurs: I've always been interested in doing something to improve the environment, in general, and air quality, in particular. I've been working in transportation air quality at the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) my entire professional career. Working for NYSDOT, I saw the opportunity to combine air quality and transportation goals into one program, Clean Air NY, which has an emphasis on public health.
PG: What was your "a-ha" moment?
JZ: I was at a national conference and saw a presentation on an ozone action program. I thought, wouldn't it be great if NYSDOT could do something similar? I realized that the Clean Air Act allowed us to meld an air quality education and outreach program with emission reduction benefits for NYSDOT and health benefits for the public. NYSDOT launched the Clean Air NY program shortly thereafter.
PG: Who is your green hero?
JZ: It's hard to pick one. I've admired the work of many environmentalists, ranging from Rachel Carson to Ralph Nader.
PG: What is your ultimate green goal?
JZ: The ultimate goal would be to reduce emissions by encouraging people to use public transportation or by carpooling. Transportation is responsible for about 35 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in New York State. Driving alone is dominant statistically; so carpooling and mass transit use are vital to making a difference.
PG: What is your motivation?
JZ: We will all be able to "breathe easier" if we can make air quality better than before. As a public servant, and as part of NYSDOT, I am committed to improving the lives of those we serve. By improving air quality, we will improve public health for those who are most at risk, especially children, people with heart or respiratory conditions and the elderly.
PG: What is most important to you, ecologically speaking?
JZ: I would like to do my part to leave the environment in a better condition than before. According to the World Health Organization, millions of people die prematurely because of poor air quality. I'd like to see air quality improve to the point that we no longer have to worry about it.
PG: What is the most challenging part of your job?
JZ: Educating the public--it is hard to get people to change. They tend to do what's easiest and what's comfortable in their routines. I see people driving in their cars far too often, even driving from one spot in a parking lot to another, instead of walking! If just one in 10 commuters in the New York metro area carpooled, worked from home or used public transit just once a week, they could reduce emissions of ozone precursors by about 5,100 tons each week.
PG: What is the most rewarding?
JZ: Seeing the public recognize the importance of reducing emissions and improving air quality is very gratifying. For example, this year in working with Nassau County, Long Island, they implemented a four-day compressed workweek program that resulted in more than 150,000 vehicle miles off of roads and highways. This alone made a difference on Long Island, and it's only one of our successes through NYSDOT's Clean Air NY program.
PG: Of the people you have worked with, who impresses you most?
JZ: That's a tough one. Clean Air NY's Clean Air Champions are impressive. They are organizations that really commit to improving air quality by encouraging their employees to reduce vehicle miles traveled. They go the extra mile, creating programs to help the environment and setting examples for their communities.
PG: What green thing do you do every day?
JZ: Professionally, my job involves green activities. Personally, I do try to reduce my carbon footprint as much as possible, by saving energy use indoors and trying not to drive my car. Sometimes it's hard or there may not be an alternative, but it's important to at least think about it.
PG: What do you wish you could do?
JZ: I wish I could get everyone to think globally and act locally. It's hard for people to understand that many little steps add up to some big health benefits and global solutions. The public needs to incorporate actions such as carpooling, taking mass transit, combining errands, avoiding idling, etc., as part of normal, daily activities.
PG: What is your biggest eco-sin?
JZ: It's difficult not to drive anywhere and everywhere.
PG: If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
JZ: There would be clean air everywhere!
PG: What is your best green advice?
JZ: People should really think about what they are doing before they turn the key to start their cars and ask themselves these questions: Do they need to take that trip? Can they carpool, vanpool or take mass transit instead? Can they walk or bicycle? I would encourage people to explore the 511 programs in their states to see the valuable resources available to re-evaluate their commute.
Change Makers is series of interviews with people famous and obscure who are creating a more sustainable world through their work. Meet more Change Makers here.
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