June is Great Outdoors Month, and a lovely time to walk outside. Consider how walking 30 minutes a day, five days a week helps the natural environment:

• Conserves resources. Walking burns calories, not fossil fuels. When you walk more, you use less gasoline, oil, and synthetic rubber.

• Pumps carbon dioxide. Exercising makes you breathe faster and expel more carbon dioxide. Plants use carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, converting the gas into glucose and oxygen that animals need.

• Cuts air pollution. When you walk instead of drive, you put less smoke, dirt, and nitrogen oxides into the air.

By walking daily, you help yourself and the earth. Just remember to protect your skin when walking in the great outdoors by applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding the peak sun hours of 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. To learn more about how active transportation is good for you and the environment, visit KP’s Tread Lightly website.