Clean Air Day 2022 – News Release

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Alberta Capital Airshed Press Release

Clean Air Day 2022, don’t take air quality for granted

Alberta Capital Airshed wants you to care about what’s in your air

 

Edmonton (June 7, 2022) — On Clean Air Day, June 8, 2022, Alberta Capital Airshed wants you to know your choices can improve air quality in your community.

The pandemic has made us think more about what we breathe in. It also showed us how we influence air pollution in the neighbourhoods where we work, live, and play.  Some regional monitoring stations saw record lows of some air pollutants in March of 2020, a time when many people were working from home. For example, levels of nitrous oxides dropped about 37% below the March 2019 levels at the St. Albert station. The Edmonton South station saw a drop of 48%.

“The changes we saw early in the pandemic illustrate the impact our choices have on air pollution,” says Gary Redmond, Executive Director of Alberta Capital Airshed. “On Clean Air
Day, we want people to know they can make a difference when it comes to air quality in
their communities.”

Let’s all pitch in to stay safe this summer and improve air quality in the Greater Edmonton area.

What you can do:

  • Be Idle Free. Shut off your car’s engine when parked. Plan your school pick-up routine to avoid arriving early or turn off the car and wait outside.
  • Burn clean. Avoid burning wood, or at least reduce how often you burn. Make sure any firewood you choose is clean, dry, and untreated. Don’t burn printed paper or household waste.
  • Choose active transportation. Cycle, walk, or skateboard instead of driving for short trips. It’s great for your health, your wallet, and the air we breathe.
  • Learn about the AQHI Scale. and how it can help you plan your activities on poor air quality days. Check out our latest webinar to learn more.
  • Share it on social media. Post what you’re doing to celebrate Clean Air Day using the hashtag #CleanAirDay2022, and tag us on Twitter and Facebook @yegairshed or Instagram @abcapitalairshed.

The Alberta Capital Airshed (ACA) is a not-for-profit, multi-stakeholder organization. We monitor, collect, and share air quality data with the public. Our work includes facilitating discussion, raising awareness, and educating on air quality issues. To learn more and access our educational resources, visit Happy Holidays from Alberta Capital Airshed.
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For more info, contact:

Lindsay Erickson
Communications Coordinator,
Alberta Capital Airshed