Clean air. Families need it, we definitely want it, but we’re not getting it.

One would think that clean air is a no-brainer, but for some corporations, tunnel vision has gotten in the way of clear thinking. In fact, right now, many corporate representatives in Washington, D.C., are so focused on their short-term bottom line that they are dedicating tremendous resources to fighting against clean air standards. They're even resorting to tactics like trying to starve the Environmental Protection Agency of operating funds.

We all need clean air to breathe. Moms will not sit silently while corporate lobbyists use back room tactics to fight against clean air standards. According to the American Lung Association, more than 13% of Americans have been diagnosed with asthma in their lifetime. With asthma at these sky high levels, the vast majority of Americans across our nation support stricter clean air standards. In fact, polling conducted by Public Policy Polling in October 2011 found:

• 69 percent of Americans agree with health experts who support the reduction of air pollution from industrial sources, rising to 75 percent among women and 73 percent among Latina women;
• 78 percent of Americans want the EPA to hold corporations responsible for toxins they release into the environment,with 83 percent of women and 80 percent of Latina women agreeing; and
• 70 percent of Americans support the EPA requiring stricter limits on the amount of toxic chemicals industrial facilities can release, with 77 percent of women and 76 percent of Latina women agreeing.

Such numbers send a pretty loud and clear message, but numbers are never as convincing as the voices rising up from across the country. Moms, dads, scientists, health care professionals, bloggers, elected officials and organizations are coming together to stand up to big-moneyed lobbyists and speak up for clean air. MomsRising invited a few of these diverse voices to share their thoughts and feelings about clean air on our website, which we've assembled in one place here (scroll down).

*Also, this blog carnival has a finale that you shouldn't miss! We'll be hosting a mom-to-mom Internet radio discussion about clean air on Monday, March 19, which we are co-presenting with Mocha Moms and the Moms Clean Air Force. As moderator, I’ll be joined by warrior mom, Lisa P. Jackson, who, as head of the Environmental Protection Agency, is on the front lines of the clean air fight. Dr. Sumita Khatri of the Asthma Center at the Cleveland Clinic, and Steph’s mom, Lydia Rojas, will join us, and  I hope you will too!

The conversation will happen here.

Please let us know you'll be participating by RSVPing here.

In the meantime, please enjoy reading the following collection of inspiring personal stories and health and policy articles about clean air:

Get the Facts on the Health Effects of Air Pollution, by Dr. Sumita B. Khatri, MD, MS

The Wheezing Sounds of Summer: Air Pollution Is Hurting Our Children’s Health, by Kim Knowlton, Senior Scientist, NRDC

Six Reasons to Support Clean Air for Kids, by Katie Farber

A Long Awaited Victory for Children, Families and Our Future, by Adrianna Quintero, Senior Attorney, Director, La Onda Verde de NRDC

Poll Reveals New Mexico’s Latinos Concerned About Health of State’s Environment, by Arturo Sandoval, Executive Director of the Latino Sustainability Institute

Protecting Polar Bears for Kay’s Future, by Doug Inkley, Senior Scientist, National Wildlife Federation

Raising a Tree Hugger, by Dagmar Bleasdale

Why?, by Liz Cerezo

Hispanics in Massachusetts Burdened by Asthma, by Rumbo News

Fighting for Clean Air, by Lori Popkewitz Alper

EPA's Boiler Rule Spared: Good News for Healthy Babies, by Diane Bailey, Senior Scientist, NRDC

How Michelle Obama Copes With Asthma, by Rachel Sarnoff, Executive Director of Healthy Child Healthy World

New Research Links Environment and Autism, by Gina Badalaty

If Kids Could Vote, Clean Air Would Rule the Day, by Diane Bailey, Senior Scientist, NRDC

Pregnancy & Pesticides Relationship to Asthma, by Rachel Sarnoff, Executive Director, Healthy Child Healthy World

Fulfilling the Clean Air Act Promise to Our Children, by Mary Peveto, President & Co-Founder, Neighbors For Clean Air

MomsRising Voices: Clean Air Stories I

MomsRising Voices: Clean Air Stories II

Why I Jointed the Moms Clean Air Force, by Ana Flores

Asthma, Allergies and Fighting for Clean Air for My Children, by Harriet Shugarman, Executive Director, Climate Mama

Will Bullies Win the Fight for Clean Air? by Marcia Yerman

24 Million Americans Gasping for Air, by Diane Bailey, Senior Scientist, NRDC

Body of Evidence, Face of a Child, by Kim Knowlton, Senior Scientist, NRDC

Children, Elderly Paying for Colstrip Pollution, by Wade Hill

Clean Air: An Essential Ingredient in Public Health, by Katie Huffling, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments