Are you a climate change champion? Halton Region encourages residents to learn more and take action!

Halton Region kicked off its air quality health promotion program for 2011 with the help of Daily WebTV. The campaign aims to educate Halton residents about the links between air quality, climate change and human health, and the steps you can take to reduce your impact on the environment.

“This new initiative encourages us to reduce our energy use at home and on the road, and to use the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) to help plan outdoor activities,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “The campaign is part of Halton Region’s air quality program which aims to protect and enhance Halton’s air quality and protect Halton residents’ health.”

The new campaign includes four short videos: Energy Reduction at Home, Energy Reduction on the Road, Active Transportation, Air Quality and Your Health. The videos will be aired on Daily Web TV over the next six months.

The campaign also features a contest open to Halton residents, over the age of 18. The contest winner will have the opportunity to star in a Climate Change Champion Video, which will be aired on Daily Web TV this fall. The grand prize package also includes a Home Energy Assessment, an Energy Efficiency Home Starter Kit, a Halton Hikes Trail Guide and Pedometer, a Family Pass to the Halton Region Museum and a copy of the 20/20 Home Energy Planner.

To enter the contest, residents have to describe in a short essay (500 words or less) why they are climate change champions and tell what they or their family is doing at home and on the road to reduce energy and improve air quality. The contest closes Thursday, June 30, 2011.

An underlying theme in the campaign is that air quality impacts health.

“Some progress has been made: according to Ontario’s 2009 Air Quality Report, emissions of common air pollutants are decreasing,” said Dr. Bob Nosal, Medical Officer of Health for Halton Region. “However, air pollution in southern Ontario continues to be a significant public health problem. And studies have shown that even small rises in air pollution can increase emergency room visits and hospitalizations.”

In addition to education and awareness raising, Halton Region’s air quality program includes airshed modeling, air monitoring, policy development and planning application reviews. The Health Department also implements a Smog Alert, Heat Alert and Cold Alert notification program, facilitates the Halton Partners for Clean Air, participates in the GTA Clean Air Council partnership and promotes a number of air quality programs such as Burn it Smart (wood burning) and the 20/20 Way to Clean Air energy reduction program.

Visit www.halton.ca/airquality to learn more about the campaign and how saving energy is good for air quality, your health and the climate, or dial 311, 905-825-6000, toll free 1-866-442-5866 or TTY 905-827-9833.

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