WHAT WE DO

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   The most noticeable effect of air pollution plaguing many national parks is an unnatural, unsightly haze. Park visitors often experience this gray or brown haze shrouding what should be spectacular views. Pollution combines with moisture to form tiny particles that scatter light and block views, drastically limiting how far a person can see and ruining the color and clarity of images. Code Red shows visibility in national parks has been reduced to a fraction of what it should be during summer months.

   National park visitors consistently rate clear scenic vistas as one of the most important aspects of their experience. Nearly 280 million people visit our parks each year,¹¹ bringing an estimated $10.6 billion dollars to surrounding communities in 2001.¹² A 2000 study determined what visitors and non-visitors would pay for clearer skies in more than 30 national parks and wilderness areas. The results show that people would spend $4.3 billion each year to clean up power plant pollution and reduce park haze on these public lands.¹³

   In their smallest form, these particles cause serious health problems. Particles emitted by power plants alone shorten the lives of an estimated 30,000 people throughout the United States each year in addition to triggering 600,000 asthma attacks.¹⁴

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