Nine Businesses, Groups & Individuals Honored for Fighting Climate Change
San Francisco, Calif. – Local clean air advocates and innovators gathered today at the Carnelian Room in San Francisco where BREATHE CALIFORNIA honored nine award recipients for their efforts to improve Bay Area air quality at the 17th annual Clean Air Awards Luncheon.
“Research continues to show what a tremendous impact air pollution and climate change can have on our health,” said Linda Civitello-Joy, President & CEO of BREATHE CALIFORNIA, Golden Gate Public Health Partnership. “In addition to fighting for tougher emission standards, it is important to recognize and support community-based efforts to clean the air we breathe.”
Each year, Breathe California has hosted its Clean Air Awards Luncheon to honor local leaders in the business, governmental, educational and non-profit sectors that have made important contributions to fighting air pollution. Recognizing that California is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of warmer temperatures and climate change, this year’s awards recognized the innovative approaches being taken to combat global warming. At the luncheon, Jack P. Broadbent, Executive Officer/Air Pollution Control Officer of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, delivered a keynote address titled: “Meeting the Challenge of Global Warming: The Bay Area Response” and CBS 5 Weather Anchor Roberta Gonzales presented Clean Air Awards to following recipients:
Stan Williams, Santa Clara Valley Water District (San Jose) - Leadership
For promoting an integrated strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using photovoltaic cells, water conservation, recycling and a commitment to being a green business
Tom Dowling, Electric Auto Association (Folsom) - Transportation
For his commitment to the development and expansion of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure in California and his dedication to providing information to the public and electric vehicle owners on the feasibility of driving electric vehicles
Robert Garzee, Synergy EV, Inc. (San Jose) - Transportation
For leadership in the development of the Electronic Transportation Development Center in the Silicon Valley to encourage design and production of alternative fuel vehicles
Sally Tomlinson & Sustainable Silicon Valley (San Jose) - Greenhouse Gas Emissions
For achieving reductions in greenhouse gases through outcome-based measurable action and partnerships with business, government and the non-profit sector
Nadine Alexis Weil, heartofgreen.org (San Francisco) - Public Awareness
For her commitment to helping thousands of people unite for a cleaner, greener world through the internet, environmental events and personal advocacy
Dr. Stephen Schneider, Stanford University (Stanford) - Research
For extraordinary commitment to the understanding of environmental biology and climate change, exemplary leadership in articulating the findings of his research and impacting public policy to reduce greenhouse gases.
Roger Hooson, San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco) - Technology
For leadership and foresight in recruiting 11 charter and airporter fleet companies servicing SFO and the region to voluntarily install exhaust purifiers on 135 buses, thereby reducing particulate and black carbon emissions.
Matt Gonsalves, CONCO (Concord) - Green Buildings
For the innovative WAFFLEMAT™ foundation forming system that reduces the use of concrete in homes, saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Sibella Kraus, Sustainable Agriculture Education (Berkeley) - Public Health
For leadership in the development of urban edge small farms, local farmers’ markets, organic venues at produce distribution centers, and use of organic foods in restaurants, thus increasing the market and availability of organic and locally grown produce.
Global Warming can pose serious health risks for all individuals, especially the 750,000 Bay Area residents suffering from a form of lung disease. Increased temperatures threaten to exacerbate air pollution, increasing the risk of asthma, respiratory and other lung related ailments. Long-term exposure to high levels of air pollution has been linked to the onset of asthma, the development of lung cancer and premature death. Even short-term exposure can cause shortness of breath, trigger an asthma attack or cause serious complications in people with heart disease or diabetes.
The 2007 Clean Air Awards Luncheon was proudly sponsored by Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the Port of Oakland, Kaiser Permanente, Toyota, Genentech and New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc.
Breathe California is a statewide non-profit organization - with local offices in San Jose and Daly City - that is committed to fighting lung disease in all its forms and protecting lung health. For more information about the BREATHE CALIFORNIA, the Clean Air Awards or our award recipients, please contact Breathe California at (650) 994-5868 or (408) 998-5865. Visit BREATHE CALIFORNIA’s web site at www.breathecalifornia.org.
Contact:
Terry Lee, terryl@ggbreathe.org
Phone:
510-459-2811 (cell), 650 994-5868
Dave Low, david@lungsrus.org
Phone 408-998-5865, 408-499-8328 (cell)