May 27, 2002

Did you know we have a Clean Air Day? Isn’t that a great idea? Then again, why don’t we have 365 of them?

Clean Air Day is the Wednesday of the first week of June each year, right in the middle of Environment Week! The idea behind events such as Clean Air Day and Environment Week is to encourage people to get involved in their environments across the country. It is also a good way to remind people about air quality and to encourage clean air habits.

Of course, clean air is not about one day a year in early June. Nor is it only about vehicle emissions and smoking issues. Clean air involves all parts of our communities from government, to industry, and from businesses to individuals. All have a part to play in controlling the release of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants.

In support of clean air, the British Columbia government has an interesting website called under the auspices the Air Resources Branch of the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection. Found at </wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/air/cad/>, the site is an provides an interesting array of information including downloadable posters for promoting Clean Air Day. Another link from the site makes the air quality issue very clear — yes, that is a play on words. There is a terrific photo of Okanagan Lake, half showing a good air day; the other showing a bad air day. Go see it and you will quickly jump onboard the bandwagon. And in case you thought it was only in that region, think again!

The issues surrounding clean air are many: climate change, smog (ground-level ozone, actually), vehicle emissions, ozone depletion in the stratosphere, fine particulate matter, smoke (including fine particulates) and industrial emissions. Quite the little bundle of threats to our air shed!

Getting year-round “clean air” days is not impossible. We can make choices at a very personal level that will help. Choosing vehicles that are fuel-efficient and keeping them well-tuned is a great way to start. Better yet, why not find an alternative to the “one car-one driver” situation; combine with others for trips, or at least do all your errands on the one outing. Working a condensed work week, or telecommuting will be an option for many, and why not?

Around the house we can choose efficient heating systems such as natural gas instead of oil. Better yet, hydroelectricity is even more preferable; or how about solar energy and ground-source heat pumps? Insulate well and weather strip doors and windows to cut energy use.

Other ways to help find more good air days is to become involved in the community. Join like-minded people in groups such as the Sunshine Coast’s Clean Air Society; support tobacco-free sports and events.

Getting a breath of fresh air is not as easy as it used to be. We have loaded the atmosphere with all kinds of pollutants that have triggered a number of serious atmospheric ills. It is now talking back to us with a warning that it cannot sustain much more of the abuse without causing harm. But are we listening?

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Call-out: “…clean air is not about one day a year in early June!”