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OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, July 31, 2009 · 18 Connection www.halton.ca Protecting your health and the environment by Regional Chair Gary Carr Climate change is a long-term shift or alteration in the climate. It can be caused both by natural events and by human activities. With climate change, we will likely experience longer and more severe heat waves in southern Ontario. Air quality can vary significantly across a community and local differences in air quality can have a substantial impact on human health as heat-related deaths, hospital admissions and illnesses increase when it is hot and humid. Halton Region is working to minimize the impacts of poor air quality and climate change. We are developing policies that can be applied to land use decisions to help us create walkable and transit-friendly communities that reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollution. We have implemented an air monitoring and modelling program to increase our understanding of how air quality varies across our region, how different sources contribute to it, and how different policies and actions might impact upon it. Halton is one of the first municipalities in Ontario to develop an air monitoring and modelling program. Many of the major sources of air pollutants are also major contributors of greenhouse gases. One common source of both is fossil fuels--gasoline, diesel and natural gas--used in our homes and on our roads. This fuel use releases greenhouse gases and air pollutants. These emissions change temperatures on the planet and produce changes in weather patterns around the globe. Many of the actions needed to reduce air pollution will also reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. That's why we are also working to influence the attitudes and behaviours of our residents towards energy use at home and "on the road." We are trying to change attitudes towards public transit and active modes of transportation such as walking and cycling. We are encouraging all Halton citizens to consider making small changes that can reduce their impact on air quality and our climate. You can find more information on Air Quality and Climate Change in Halton by visiting www.halton. ca/airquality. Download a copy of the 20/20 Energy Planner, a guide to reducing energy use at home and on the road, and view our two short videos. Fill in our survey online for a chance to win a Home Energy Audit. (Contest closes August 4, 2009.) Let's work together to improve our air quality, slow climate change, and support a prosperous and sustainable future in Halton Region. Together we can ensure that Halton remains a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire. Protect the environment: actions you can take immediately Wash clothes in cold water and use and windows Other Regional Environmental Initiatives Blue Box GreenCart. Take It Back! Halton is a directory that lists local www.halton.ca. Green Purchasing policy. Regional Chair's Environmental Awards foster telecommute one day a week Do errands on foot or on bicycle www.halton.ca/airquality Halton Children's Water Festival to educate children August Meetings at Halton Region Headquarters August 3 www.halton.ca We welcome your feedback. Contact Access Halton at accesshalton@halton.ca information to Halton residents at no cost