i sense a flaw in the system

[the_siobhan]

The website that cincinnatus_c_ pointed me at will email you when the smog advisory kicks in for your area. I thought that was kind of cool in a Look! Technology! kind of way, so I signed up for it.

It actually emails you in the middle of the afternoon, which although interesting, isn't terribly useful. But the time I got it I'm already at work with my bicycle so I'm kinda committed. (Turned out there was an advisory for yesterday. I rode home anyway, hoping that by the time I get out of work in the evening it's not so bad. Um. Yeah, I was hoping.)

The email includes a bunch of "tips" on what to do when there is a smog advisory in your area. Under Travel Tips the list includes;

-leave your car at home - walk, cycle, carpool or take public transit

Under Health Tips the list includes;

- avoid exposure to vehicle exhaust fumes
- avoid strenuous exercise in the heat of the day

Why are they advising people to walk and cycle if they should avoid exercising outdoors?

Is anybody reading these things?

Comments

[the-siobhan.livejournal.com]

I suspect you are correct when it comes to things like cutting the lawn of sealing the driveway. (Unless one works for a landscaping company.)

However, the days that are most likely to be smog days are also more likely to be days when people choose to drive, because their cars are air conditioned, and walking to the bus stop is not.

Somebody (rufus? Maybe?) posted a recent study that places that have air conditioning are hotter than places in approximately the same climate that don't - well yeah, the heat has to go somewhere. And the extra need for energy means more power plants etc. People tend to think in terms that end when they get as far as the plug in the wall and then stop. They are conscious of decisions that make them cooler, but less so of how that results in increase the ambient temperature for everybody.

(Apologies for late night incoherance. It's, well, late.)