Education - CleanAIRE NC

We equip people with the knowledge and tools to take action and chart a better future.

We partner with schools, healthcare systems, and community organizations to provide education on the health impacts of climate change and air pollution, and on effective strategies to improve health in their communities.

NC Climate Ambassadors

Through our partnership with ecoAmerica’s Path to Positive Communities program, we are equipping civic leaders and community advocates with the knowledge, communications skills, and resources to speak and act confidently on climate change solutions.

The Climate Ambassadors Program provides an opportunity for people across our state to learn the latest about climate change impacts on North Carolina communities, solutions available right now that would decrease greenhouse gas emissions and create jobs, and how to communicate these issues to everyone, from both friends and family to their state representatives. Two-day virtual trainings are held throughout the year.

To learn more about our Climate Ambassadors Program, contact Education Manager, Rafi Vaca at [email protected].

Schools

Kids need clean air. Their lungs are growing, and polluted air harms lung development. It also intensifies asthma attacks. Our CleanAIRE NC Education programs encourage schools, families, and communities to explore air pollution and its effects on human health and climate change. We also cover steps to improve the air we breathe for future generations.

Kids take in 50% more air per pound than adults, spend more time outside playing, which means they breathe more air pollution.
Asthma attacks affect 1 in 10 of North Carolina’s children.
Studies have shown that children who grow up breathing polluted air have reduced lung capacity by 15-20%.

Ozone Gardens

Ground-level ozone is the most damaging air pollutant to plants and impacts our health. Ozone gardens raise awareness of this issue. While it’s hard to see how ozone affects your lungs, it’s easy to spot the signs of leaf injury of ozone-sensitive plants. Students learn ways to protect their health by modifying their behavior when air quality is poor and how our community works to reduce air pollution.

Ozone-sensitive plants make invisible air pollution visible. Get started with your own Ozone Garden Toolkit and learn about the topic of air quality. Toolkits are available for individuals, schools, and community organizations interested in connecting people to the natural world in a fun and educational way.

Download Toolkit