Oxy Gene: Earth Day is Every Day for Me!

Greetings Good Citizens of Snohomish County!

Let me take a moment to introduce myself. I am Oxy Gene — Defender of Truth, Justice and Really Clean Air! Every day, I patrol the beautiful skies of Snohomish County (rain or shine) and educate good citizens like you about alternative ways to commute and to help keep the air we breathe, well, really clean!

I am taking a break from my regularly scheduled superhero duties to talk to you about a day that is near and dear to my superhero heart (deep breath) —Earth Day. The first Earth Day started out 43 years ago as a nationwide demonstration for a healthier, sustainable, environment by 20 million Americans (I was just a wee lad in superhero absorbent diapers then, but it made me the man I am today. I know, too much info).

Anyway, this year, more than one billion of your fellow planet dwellers are celebrating Earth Day in events held in communities, college campuses and neighborhoods worldwide. For those good citizens on smart phones and social media, I would suggest you check out the Earth Day Network for a complete history of Earth Day and to learn more about this year’s theme, “The Face of Climate Change.” In fact, they are asking folks to contribute to a global mosaic by uploading pictures of how climate change is personally affecting you.

As a defender of truth, justice and really clean air, Earth Day is every day for me. It’s also “every day” for Community Transit. In addition to providing 36,000 transit ride each weekday, Community Transit has established processes and programs to ensure that their buses, vans, and operations make as little impact on the environment as possible.

Good citizens of Snohomish County, you can be defenders of clean air, too—no cape required! Here are some Community Transit services that can help you reduce your carbon footprint.
• Take a Community Transit bus!
• Ride in a vanpool!
• Participate in the Curb the Congestion program, log your travel online and earn monthly rewards! (Eligibility required)

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Earth Day and considering how you can help make our world a cleaner, healthier place to live. I must take to the skies and resume my patrol, now. I wish you a very Happy Earth Day! And remember, there’s only one thing all of us share. It nourishes, refreshes, please love it . . . . IT’S AIR!

When he’s not flying the friendly skies of Snohomish County, Oxy Gene, can be found at various Community Transit and county events, parades, and festivals to spread the word about the importance of defending clean air. Visit Oxy Gene’s webpage for a listing of upcoming events and to download activity books and coloring pages for future clean air defenders.