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History
The Clean Air Community Trust was formed in 2002 jointly by the Buncombe
County Commissioners and the Asheville City Council.
We were formed to be the non-regulatory
companion organization to the
Western North
Carolina Air Quality Control Agency. We owe a great debt of gratitude to the
Buncombe County Medical Society
for providing the initial seed funding of $5000
to establish CACT. In the spring of
2003, start-up funding was provided by the Western North Carolina
Regional Air Quality Control Agency. A self-perpetuating board of directors
representing the medical, commercial, educational, and governmental
sectors of our community governs the CACT.
Air Quality in
WNC
Air quality is a critical regional problem. A recent Chamber of Commerce
survey ranked it as the second most important problem facing WNC.
We recognize that pollution-related lung diseases are taking their toll
on our population. Ironically, people used to come to this area
for the pristine air – not anymore. Western North Carolina has higher
rates of asthma and higher mortality from respiratory diseases than
other parts of North Carolina. This area has teetered for years on
the edge of compliance with federal standards. Because we just barely
comply, there is no government mandate or funding to correct the
problems.
That is why we must commit ourselves to the solution. The
standards are not strict enough to guarantee we are breathing healthy
air. In fact, we know we are not. Research shows that
particulate matter in the air at levels experienced in Asheville
presents the same risks as living with a cigarette smoker.
Visibility is another indication of how polluted our air is. EPA
calculates that on average, visibility without human made pollution in
this area would be 93 miles. Instead, the annual average visibility is
27 miles. Air pollution is devastating to the health and economic
future of this community and we intend to restore it to its former
glory.
Goal/Vision
The mission of the Clean Air Community
Trust is to improve air quality through innovative programs that
educate, energize, and empower the communities of western North
Carolina. We are committed to the following goals:
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To return
visibility to natural conditions thus creating a community with
healthy air.
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To initiate
everyday activities and events that reduce global warming and air
pollution.
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To serve as a
public resource for air quality information and education.
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To partner with
businesses, industry, local government, schools, and other
institutions to create innovative models to achieve clean air.
Who We Are
Our
office is located on Page Avenue in downtown Asheville across from the
Grove Arcade, between Captain's Bookshelf and Quality Forward. We
currently have a staff of 2 with occasional interns from local
universities. Visit our Board of Trustees and Advisory Board
members HERE.
We work in cooperation with many other
community organizations. We are members of the
Clean Air Campaign
- a consortium of organizations promoting air
quality awareness. We work closely with local environmental organizations in western
North Carolina to create successful campaigns and events that educate and
raise public awareness about air quality issues and what we can do to solve
them.
Become a Friend of CACT
Learn
more about our programs, receive invitations to special events, or sign
up to receive our quarterly newsletter to stay up to date on air quality
in western North Carolina.
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