Canadian’s are some of the highest per-capita consumers of energy in the world and as a result, we could very well be among the highest wasters of energy.  And air pollution, including that of ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5), SOx and NOx, is mainly the result of us burning that energy, either as gasoline to run our cars, natural gas to heat our homes or as coal to provide our electricity.  The small things you do every day can help reduce air pollution and help protect the environment as well as human health.  Here are some tips on what you can do. 

Transportation

In Canada, transportation accounts for 30 per cent of our greenhouse gas emissions.  Next time you're shopping, going to a movie, visiting a friend or taking the kids to and from school, try walking, biking, transit or carpooling instead.

But if you still find yourself getting into your car to run short errands, buy a few groceries or visit a friend, try asking yourself if you really need to take 2000-3000 kg of steel (i.e. your car) with you!   And if you do, then here are some things to do to save energy and emissions!

• Make sure to have the right tire pressure. If tire pressure is down by 7 psi, your car uses 5% more fuel and also emits more pollution.

• Using your air conditioner increases fuel consumption by 30%; driving with windows open only increases it by 5%.

• Letting your car warm up by idling in cold weather is generally a waste of fuel.  Most experts recommend less than a few minutes even in the coldest weather.  And consider using a windshield cover such as “Arctic Guard” to eliminate scraping ice or to eliminate idling your car to defrost your windshield.

• Using a roof rack on your car can increase fuel consumption by 10 to 30%. Bicycles are better attached to the back of the car.

• If you need to buy a car, buy one with good fuel economy.

• Encourage your government to increase higher fuel efficiency standards.

• Don’t idle your vehicle when stopped for more than a few minutes (e.g. at railway crossings).

• Avoid using your remote start on your car which often leads to idling much longer than needed.

• Carpool when possible – it saves money and reduces wear on your car. 
  

• Carpooling also saves you parking fees and saves your municipality the cost of building parking stalls (did you know that a parking stall costs municipalities $20,000 to $50,000 to build and maintain over the life of the stall).

At Home

• Buy local produce!  The average food item travels 1000's of km before it reaches our dinner tables.

• Save electricity!  Don't leave your electronic devices - TV sets, computers, stereos, DVD's - on.  Even when these devices are turned 'off', they are in stand-by mode and continue to use power. Switch them off completely (i.e. unplug them).

• Invest in better insulation and better windows and doors.  Seal all drafts. Use foam gaskets on interior electrical outlets on exterior walls.

• Keep a reusable shopping bag in your handbag or backpack to avoid using single use plastic bags.

At Work

• Encourage carpooling and bike commuting for your employees.

• Close the front door of your store or restaurant during hot or cold weather to avoid wasting energy for heating and cooling.  Attach an OPEN sign to your front door with the wording:  “We are Open but our Door is Closed to Save Energy – Please Come In” or something like that.  This will show you are committed to being more environmentally responsible.

• Offer reusable bags for your customers to avoid single use plastic bags.

If we can all do some of the above, we all benefit but our children, the elderly and anybody with compromised lung capacity benefit the most.