Smog Alerts and Cutting Pollution

If it's summer in Atlanta, it's smog season, and already the smog levels are getting high enough for the Clean Air Campaign to issue a code orange warning, meaning the air is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. If you commute to work alone, it might be time to think about different ways to get to work and be kinder to Mother Earth at the same time.

Carpooling helps cut gas costs, gets cars off the road and can even allow you access to the HOV lane. When you're not doing the driving, you can relax and maybe even get to know your coworkers a little better. When you are driving, enjoy the knowledge that every little bit helps. For even more savings, consider starting or joining a vanpool.

Teleworking is another good choice--and it can even increase your productivity up to 20 percent! Maybe if you can't telework all the time, you can try to negotiate a few days or various times where it is okay to work from home. A similar option is to try compressing your work week or switching to a more flexible schedule involving driving at off-peak hours.

Using public transportation is another option. In addition to MARTA, there are county systems in Cobb and Gwinnett, the buc system in Buckhead, the Cliff buses around Emory University and more.

If you live close to your workplace or physically able to do so, consider walking or biking to work. Please stay safe, though, especially on a bike. Atlanta can be a rough place for two-wheeled vehicles.

If you feel a little lost about how to get started with these alternatives, especially making the case for teleworking, the Clean Air Campaign has lots of resources to help. It even offers cash incentives to people who switch to commuting alternatives.