Where Do I Start?

An effective air quality outreach and education program begins by identifying the issues and determining if your organization is the most appropriate one to address them. If your organization is new to the process, it is especially important to assess your current capabilities, the perceived benefits and drawbacks of leading such an effort, and potential partners in your community who can assist you. This will help ensure your program is well-planned and strategic in its approach to the problem.

Start by conducting a brainstorming session with your staff and advisors or consultants who have expertise or specific knowledge of the air quality issues in your community. Following are several suggested questions and answers to help you structure the planning process. Based on your individual community’s issues, you may have different or additional questions and responses.

Questions	Answers/suggestions
What is the issue we want to address?	High incidence of air pollution in the community Ozone nonattainment status Major traffic congestion
Do we have the capacity to address the issue and effect change?	Assess current resources, e.g., staffing, funding, information, time, and management support Determine any barriers Answer the question: Are we the best organization to tackle this issue?
What can we do to address the issues?	Conduct media outreach Build a strong community coalition Offer skill-building workshops
What programs and services already address the issue and how effective are they?	Local organizations working on the same issue National programs and education activities Media coverage of the issue
What has been done in the past?	Contact other local organizations to find out about similar initiatives Conduct research to find out about other programs and services offered
What is the overall goal?	To improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion in our community Develop collaborative public education efforts of local groups that support and sustain the public’s adoption of effective transportation choices
What is the overall strategy?	To encourage use of public transit, van pools, and other options that reduce traffic congestion and single-occupant ridership To reduce automobile emissions by reducing the percentage of people who drive alone to work To educate drivers about proper refueling and fuel efficiency To motivate automobile drivers to maintain their vehicles
What audience(s) is most affected by the issue?	General public Driving public People with respiratory disorders, the elderly, and children
What do people need and want?	Survey members of the target audience(s) Talk to individuals/organizations that target the same audience(s)
What are the desired outcomes?	Solo drivers will take the bus once a week. Increased percentage of drivers who regularly maintain their cars.
What strategies will be implemented to address the issues?	Target drivers who do not carpool. Target women who don’t maintain their vehicles. Survey members of the target audience(s).

Information Resources

Not every question will have an immediately apparent answer, or your brainstorming session may result in a range of responses from which you must choose. It may be necessary to do some research before moving forward. Sources of information on transportation and air quality issues nationally and in your community include:

• Library and Internet searches
• Sources of transportation and environmental statistics, including:
  • state departments of transportation
  • local transit authorities
  • environmental groups
• Government agencies
• Universities
• National clearinghouses
• Advertising and public relations agencies, newspapers, radio and television stations (for media use data)
• Industry organizations
• Polling companies (for audience knowledge and attitudes)

Leveraging Past and Ongoing Efforts

In reviewing these questions, you may discover that your agency does not have sufficient resources or expertise to implement a transportation/air quality public education initiative on its own. You might require assistance from other agencies or organizations in your community or find they are already serving your target audience(s) efficiently and cost-effectively. If so, inquire about any "lessons learned" they feel are important for you to know, what actions are still needed, and if there are opportunities for your organizations to work together in the future.

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