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Let's all do our Part to Clean up our Environment
The other day while driving eastbound on the 401 near the 427 the illuminated overhead sign read, 'Help air quality tune your vehicle'.
Later that week, I was watching a news broadcast on CBC in which an environmental group ' The Toronto Environmental Alliance ' gave Ontario a 'D minus' grade when it came to protecting the environment. The annual report card was based on many things including water quality, controlling toxic waste and of course, air pollution or smog. Smog is fog that has been mixed with smoke and other pollutants, especially vehicle exhaust fumes.
For the past several years, a host of environmental groups has given Ontario a failing grade. But governments can only do so much. For example, when registering a vehicle in Ontario, you need a Clean Air Certificate (i.e. Emissions Test). This certificate is valid for six months and indicates that the vehicle meets the government's standards. A new certificate is required every two years in order to renew your license plate. Note the exhaust pollutants from 22 new vehicles equal that of a 1987 or older vehicle.
While figures on smog affecting our health vary, a landmark study released by the Ontario Medical Association two years ago (called the Illness Costs of Air Pollution in Ontario) estimated that smog in 2000 would cause over 1,900 premature deaths, 9,800 hospital visits, 13,000 emergency room visits and 47 million lost working days. The total burden on the economy would be over $1 billion dollars ' a conservative estimate!
The automobile industry has been doing its part to help. North American vehicle emission standards, established by the USA's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and adopted in Canada under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), are among the most stringent in the world.
Manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to reduce carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon emissions in their vehicles. The advent of hybrid vehicles (half gas and half battery powered) is a huge step forward. Researchers are also hard at work perfecting Electric Vehicles (EV's) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV's). The future looks promising, but for now, we must act.
In July of 2000, the Ministry of Environment initiated a program to 'retire' older, less environmentally-friendly vehicles from the road. The Ontario and Toronto Automobile Dealers Associations were instrumental in establishing this program called 'Car Heaven,' consumers who want to donate their older cars or trucks simply phone 1-888-731-7311 or go to the website of the same name. Members of the Ontario Automotive recyclers pick it up for recycling free of charge and give you a charitable tax receipt for the value of the vehicle. It's estimated that the program has removed over 5,000 cars from the GTA ' resulting in tons of pollutants being removed from our environment.
Here's another way you can help: Please turn off your engine every time you stop, even if it's only for a few minutes. Idling engines produce more smog pollution through exhaust than a moving, driving engine.
Encourage car pools in your workplace and use public transit more often. Many employers stagger working hours so employees who use public transit can miss the rush hour. We're all in this together, so let's do our part in keeping Toronto clean and our families healthy.
Until next week, happy motoring from the TADA.
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