"The Way to Clean Air" and the AQHI

Poor air quality is associated with thousands of premature deaths and hospitalizations in Canada each year. Air pollution worsens heart problems and aggravates lung conditions, such as asthma and bronchitis. In people without respiratory conditions, air pollution reduces lung function and irritates the eyes nose and throat. One way to reduce the number of days with high AQHI readings is to become more environmentally friendly in your daily activities.

The “20/20 The Way to Clean Air” Campaign is designed to help individuals reduce both home energy use and vehicle use by 20 per cent, as well as reducing vehicle emissions when you do need to drive. By reducing your energy consumption and vehicle use, you are paving the way towards cleaner air, and fewer days of poor air quality.

This campaign provides you with practical tips, including adjusting your thermostat levels, using cold water for your laundry, cleaning your refrigerator coils, reducing “phantom power” in your electronics, keeping your car tires properly inflated, tele-working or tele-commuting, and carpooling.

To order a free 20/20 Planner with a step-by-step action plan to reduce your energy use call 1-866-583-2020 or visit www.cleanairpartnership.org/2020.

What steps are you taking to reduce your energy consumption, and reduce the number of poor air quality days in your area?