What you can do to improve air quality

Biking to work
There are many simple actions you can take to reduce air pollution in your community, and help make the air cleaner and healthier for everyone.  By working together, through your school or a community organization, you can make these actions even more effective.

Three key actions to improve air quality

1.  Carpool, ride your bike, take the bus or walk more often

  • Motor vehicles are a major contributor to smog, especially in large urban areas where traffic is heavy.
  • Traffic can contribute to smog year-round, even in the winter.

2.  In the winter, ask yourself “Do I really need to use my  woodstove or fireplace today?”

  • Burning wood for home heating is a leading cause of smog in the wintertime.

3. Save energy

  • In Canada, much of the home heating is produced by fossil fuels (coal, gas and oil). Using less energy for home heating and reducing your use of electricity will help clean the air.
  • Support renewable energy where you can.
Taking the bus to school

More tips on taking action

On the road:

Your car

At home:

Your woodstove or fireplace

Saving energy at home

Using a push mower

At work:

  • Improve your commute - carpool, walk, take the bus or ride your bike to work
  • Get your workplace involved:
    • take part in the annual National Commuter Challenge organized by Commuter Challenge, a non-government organization.
    • Also check for “bike to work day” events in your community
Shopping on a bike

At school:

Everywhere!

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