Welcome to our Media Room! This is where you can find out about recent news, share in our programs' events, hear from our Champions, and read about other Clean Air Champions' developments.

The Story of the Three Trees – Morgan, Mo and Fraser

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

The following poem was written by Grade 9 student, Grant S, from Mr. Gibson's class at Collingwood Collegiate Institute in Collingwood, Ontario. The poem was acted out in a skit during Champion Bill Trayling's HSBC Clean Air Achievers celebration presentation. This excellent piece of work illustrates how students can think critically about the environment - and can take action to do their part! The air is filled Filled with CO2 Which trees absorb As they always do The gas is stored Inside it’s trunk. And in the ground Where roots are sunk The Trees were dancing, In the forest so green, When all of a sudden, A car got mean. The tree named Morgan Collapsed in a heap And left all the others To sadly weep Out of Mo’s body Carbon was released Into the atmosphere And away from the deceased But Down to the trees The carbon came back Into the forest And Into Zack Then along came a man Of a very large build Who sent a small shiver And left the trees chilled The logger approached A tree named Fraser He swung his axe It cut like a razor The tree was dragged To a place of fire Poor Fraser was burned On this industrial pyre But just like poor Morgan Carbon was emitted and to the environment A crime was committed This cycle continues Absorbed and gone Until it is meddled with Like what’s going on We are poisoning our air With our cars on the road Increasing carbon levels Until earth explodes! BOOM! That is the story Of three little trees Who because of humans Were brought to their knees

Did you know that toxic coal byproducts are used in the growing of our fruits & vegetables?

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Posted by: Dr. Mercola (United States) The U.S. government is encouraging farmers to spread a chalky waste from coal-fired power plants on their fields to loosen and fertilize soil. The material is produced by power plant "scrubbers" that remove acid-rain-causing sulfur dioxide from plant emissions. The substance is a synthetic form of the mineral gypsum, and it also contains mercury, arsenic, lead and other heavy metals. The Environmental Protection Agency says those toxic metals occur in only tiny amounts. But some environmentalists say too little is known about how the material affects crops, and ultimately human health. As you may know, coal-fired plants produce about 50 percent of the power in the US, and are a major source of environmental pollution. One of its byproducts is FGD gypsum (flue gas desulfurization gypsum). Not surprisingly, the standard solution is to develop a scheme to sweep the problem under the rug and make money doing it. In this case, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has begun promoting what they call “wastes beneficial uses,” in order to deal with industrial byproducts. This is history repeating itself ad nauseum. The plot to use of FGD gypsum on agricultural soils is virtually identical to the story of how the toxic byproduct fluoride was deemed beneficial to human health, once it became too costly for the aluminum industry to clean it up. If you’re not yet aware of how the “beneficial waste uses” of fluoride came about, you may want to take a look at it now, because these two stories are hauntingly familiar. Ironically, while the EPA and USDA are recommending the use of this toxic byproduct on fields, the Obama administration is also in the process of drafting the first federal standards for storage and disposal of coal wastes. The White House and the EPA are currently at odds over how to handle the more than 125 million tons of coal ash and sludge waste generated each year, reports the Wall Street Journal. According to the Associated Press, this action was prompted by a spill from a coal ash pond near Knoxville, TN, just over a year ago. Ash and water flooded 300 acres, damaging homes and killing fish. The cleanup will cost an estimated $1 billion. It’s logically challenging to accept that while an accidental coal waste spill is environmentally devastating, the willful spreading coal waste on farm lands, year after year, would be environmentally sound. Granted, the combined contents of the spill was likely far more toxic than FGD gypsum alone, but we’re still talking about adding toxins to our farm lands, and no matter how minute these toxins are, they will eventually accumulate. Why would we want to do this to ourselves, and to our future generations? Where Else Can You Find This Toxic Byproduct? By the way, the use of FGD gypsum on farm fields is not brand new. According to the American Coal Ash Association, farmers' use of the material has more than tripled in the past 6 years, from about 78,000 tons spread on fields in 2002, to nearly 279,000 tons in 2008. However, the overall annual production of this byproduct is expected to double in the next several years, as more coal-fired plants come online and as more scrubbers are added to existing power plants to comply with the EPA’s Clean Air Interstate Rule and other requirements. This means, the problem of what to do with all that waste will grow significantly. About half of the nearly 18 million tons of FGD gypsum produced in the US in 2008 was put to “beneficial use” in the manufacturing of drywall. However, did you know that this potentially heavy metal-laced byproduct is also used as a filler ingredient in some foods and in toothpaste?! Yet another reason to avoid processed foods. Much of it is not even food-based! There’s no question that the push for FGD gypsum in farming is orchestrated by the industry producing the waste – as a solution that is convenient and profit-producing for them. I doubt it has ANY real benefits to human health. Consider this 2007 National Network for Use of FGD Gypsum in Agriculture workshop, led by the Electric Power Research Institute, whose sole objective is to “increase the use of FGD gypsum in agricultural applications.” The electric power industry hard at work to improve the quality of your food? I think not. Because as reported by the Wall Street Journal, the Electric Power Research Institute has also stated that utilities could lose $5 billion to $10 billion of revenue each year if they were no longer allowed to sell coal combustion byproducts to industry. Furthermore, the organization says added storage costs could be a burden on power plants, especially those operating in deregulated markets, where they must compete against other forms of non-coal power generation. What Can You Do? There does not appear to be any kind of grassroots movement to stop this practice. Or if there is, I’ve not been able to find it. However, there is one thing I’d encourage you to do, and that is to bring your concerns about the agricultural use of FGD gypsum to the attention of organic growers everywhere. Why? Because it appears use of FGD gypsum may have trickled into organic farming as well, since it’s not considered a petroleum-based soil additive, which is forbidden in organic farming. One of the significant benefits of buying locally-grown, organic food is that you can oftentimes meet the growers face to face. You can ask questions about their growing practices and discuss your personal concerns with them directly. And that is a dialogue I believe must be revived. We’ve become so far removed from our food sources, most people have no idea what they’re putting in their mouths anymore. Approaching your local farmers and opening up a dialogue might be the most important thing any one of us could do. Source: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/01/16/EPA-Wants-Farmers-to-Spread-Toxic-Coal-Waste-on-Fields.aspx

What really goes into the soil that produces our food?

2010 Olympic Torch Relay - CAC Team 20 !

Monday, January 04, 2010

It is with great pride that Clean Air Champions was part of Olympic and Canadian history by being one of only 20 groups invited to participate in the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. The adventure began on December 30th when members of CAC Team 20, along with family and friends, boarded an Ottawa bus at 6:30am bound for Huntsville, our run location. The team members included Champions, staff, members of the Board and youth including: David Chernushenko, Anna van der Kamp; Melanie Coulson; Liza Campbell; Erin Down; Tricia Zakaria; Tricia Rande; Deirdre Laframboise; Robyn Jennings; Kari Ferlatte; Austin de Ste. Croix; Dina Bell-Laroche;MJ McCann;Melanie Blainville, Beth Stroud, Mike Kwiatkowsky;Bill Trayling; Helen Stroumbos; Shari Orders and Lisa Bentley. Upon arrival in Huntsville we were given a briefing by Pierre -Louie, the very entertaining VANOC staff person, who reminded us what the Olympic flame represents and our role in this moment in history. Team 20 level of excitement and anticipation was building as we practiced our group run, and then headed over to the large public stage located centretown. While the citizens of Huntsville cheered us on we all listened to the VANOC host introduce Clean Air Champions and speak briefly about our mission. I had the incredible honour of lighting the torch onstage and then led Team 20 on our 1 kilometre Torch Relay Run. Each Team 20 member carried the torch 50 metres while the 19 members followed closely behind. What a feeling! I believe I speak for all the Team when I say that this was truly a memorable moment and a personal milestone - a once in a lifetime experience that each of us was honoured to be a part of. We hope everyone tunes in February 12th to join the nation in the opening ceremonies for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. We especially hope that you will join us as we cheer on many of our 2010 qualified Clean Air Champions and other Canadian athletes as they write their personal Olympic history. Go Canada Go! Deirdre (Dede) Laframboise, Executive Director

Clean Air Champions Team 20 onstage just after the lighting of the torch, and moments before we start the Torch Run through the centre of Hunstville.

Air Aware Launches!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Clean Air Champions has just launched their newest program called Air Aware. Air Aware is a national program that encourages all Canadians to think about the air we breathe and make smart choices that will benefit our environment and their personal health. Air Aware features the Air Quality Health Index or "AQHI". AQHI is the world’s first index of its kind and was developed by the Government of Canada to help Canadians avoid the negative health impacts from poor air quality. The goals of the Air Aware program are to: - Educate youth on active and more sustainable living (reduce air pollution & climate change AND improve health) - Promote the AQHI - Inspire easy-to-achieve lifestyle changes Air Aware began as a successful pilot project in the spring of 2009 which included presentations by Champions Adam Kreek, Olympic gold medalist (rowing), Sarah Boudens (whitewater slalom kayak) and Brandon Crichton (cycling) to over 400 participants in Ontario and British Columbia. With continued support from Environment Canada into 2009-2010, Clean Air Champions was able to enhance the program to provide curriculum connections and curriculum linked activities all housed on a very cool web 2.0 site. The Air Aware program also includes online games, resources and an educational presentation about air quality and active living by a Clean Air Champion. Champions will be delivering the Air Aware presentation to audiences across Canada targeting primarily high school youth (grades 10-12), as well as community groups and adults. The Champions will share personal stories and inspire Canadians to commit to easy-to-achieve behaviours, leading to positive reinforcement for sustainable and healthier lifestyles. Air Aware is offered at no cost to registered teachers across Canada. Curriculum activities are provided in many subject areas including Health & Physical Education, Sciences and Social Studies. Please visit our website at www.airaware.net and for more information contact Allison Kawall, Air Aware National Program Coordinator Allison@cleanairchampions.ca (613) 226-6786.

Clean Air Champion and Inline Speed Skater Meaghan Buisson presenting to high school students in Toronto.

Sharing Initiatives to Improve Air Quality and Health

Friday, December 18, 2009

With the United Nations Climate Change Conference coming to a close in Copenhagen today, there is no doubt that the world has been focused on the environment for the last few weeks. But for many of us, climate change and air pollution is not an issue that takes priority in our lives for only a few weeks, it’s something that we think of every day – while getting groceries, purchasing cleaning supplies and getting to work. At Clean Air Champions, we not only focus on improving air quality but also on improving the physical activity levels of Canadians. Our main messages are interlinked and we work hard to motivate Canadians to make positive changes in their lives each and every day – for the environment and for their health. There are many great videos, websites and blogs available that promote our messages and encourage people all over the world to reduce pollution or get more active. We wanted to share some of those with you so you can continue to be inspired and experience some of the excellent things that are happening to improve air quality, climate change and health. Happy viewing! 1. The BIG ASK: http://www.thebigask.eu/the-big-ask-film-clip A short film made by Friends of the Earth in Belgium, with the help of award winning film director Nic Balthazar is helping spread the message that politicians must 'Act Now' against climate change. The launch in November 2008 coincided with a major success for the Big Ask campaign in Europe. The UK now has a climate change law making it the first country of the world to commit to legally binding cuts in its greenhouse gas emissions. 2. Planet Waste Art – photography by Chris Jordan: http://www.slideshare.net/egs/f-c-o-coastguard-v2-5 Chris Jordan is an American Photographer who depicts the overconsumption in the U.S. through digital photography. His Planet Waste Art exhibit has been seen all over the U.S. and really puts overconsumption and the resulting pollution into perspective. This link shows a brief PowerPoint of some of his most astounding waste art. 3. The Real Food Movement – Eat Real, Eat Local: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIsEG2SFOvM"target+ The Real Food Movement started with the Urban Gardens Project. The goal was to get Canadians excited about growing and eating local food. Evergreen and Hellman’s have partnered to encourage Canadians to get involved in the movement. The video gives excellent facts about Canadian food production and what we can do to improve the situation. 4. Piano Stairs – The Fun Theory Competition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lXh2n0aPyw The Fun Theory Competition is an initiative of Volkswagen. It recognizes the thoughts, ideas and inventions that help prove the fun theory. That fun is the easiest way to change people’s behavior for the better. The Piano Stairs video clip is one example that promotes physical activity. The inventors wanted to see if more people would take the stairs over the escalator if they made the stairs a fun option to take. The result is an entertaining video that really does promote physical activity. Tricia Zakaria, Program Manager

HSBC Clean Air Achievers – Getting Active in Cowansville, Québec

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Taking action is one of the main objectives of the HSBC Clean Air Achievers program and students in Cowansville, Québec have set a good example of how youth can take action. Students at École St-Léon are among the 1,500 youth across the country (in Grades 6-9) that have taken part in the HSBC Clean Air Achievers program this fall. On October 6th, the program was introduced to 54 Grade 6 students at St-Léon with an inspirational and motivational presentation by Christine Boudrias, two time Olympic Medalist in Speed Skating. Christine won a Silver Medal at the 1994 Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway and a Bronze Medal at the 1998 Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan, both in the Women’s 300m relay. Christine spoke to the students about air pollution and greenhouse gases and the impacts on our health, global warming and climate change. Christine also shared some of her own experiences of traveling the world and seeing air pollution. She discussed with the students how they could reduce air pollution and get physically fit by relying on the family car less and beginning to travel by more active transportation. Finally, Christine presented the HSBC Clean Air Achievers program to the students and motivated them to make change by walking or biking more within their community. After Christine’s presentations, the students began traveling by more active transportation and entering their trips into the HSBC Clean Air Achievers greenhouse gas calculator to calculate their reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and improvements in active transportation. The students at École St-Léon reduced 7 kilograms of carbon dioxide, reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent and increased their active transportation by 46 percent! Christine returned to the school on October 27th, to award the students with certificates of achievement for their excellent work, speak to them about their experiences and encourage them to be Clean Air Achievers for life. However, the students’ action steps did not stop there! With the help of their teachers, the students wrote a letter to the local newspaper asking for improvements to the bike path in Cowansville to encourage more people to travel by active transportation: To improve the bike path, it is necessary to repair holes and install dividing posts. By improving the path, people will be more likely to use active transportation. The improvements of the path will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It will decrease the number of citizens who take their polluting cars and increase the number of people who run or bike on the path. We are Clean Air Achievers and we are convinced that improving the bike path in Cowansville will contribute to the improvement of the issues we mentioned. Let us work together for a green world! To reader the full letter (in French only), click on this link: http://www.st-leon.csvdc.qc.ca/spip.php?article1046 The Grade 6 students at École St-Léon are great role models for other students and prove that Canadian youth can take action against air pollution and make our country a cleaner and safer place to live. Tricia Zakaria, Program Manager – HSBC Clean Air Achievers

Clean Air Champion Christine Boudrias with Grade 6 students at École St-Léon in Cowansville, Québec who participated in the HSBC Clean Air Achievers program this October.

2010 Dreams for Women Calendar Now on Sale!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

The 2010 Dreams for Women Calendar is now on sale. The Dreams for Women art project asks women and men of all ages to describe what their dreams are for women by painting, drawing, writing, sketching or decoupaging them onto a postcard. To commemorate the 2010 Olympics, the 2010 calendar features postcards made by female athletes in Canada, First Nations and the U.S. Two Clean Air Champions, Kirsten Manley-Casimir (Beach Volleyball) and Sara Renner (Cross Country Skiing) have their postcard submissions featured in the calendar! The calendar is available for purchase at the following website: http://antigonemagazine.wordpress.com/dreams-for-women/2010-dreams-for-women-calendar-featuring-2010-athletes Proceeds from the calendar go to the Antigone Foundation - an organization that seeks to encourage young women aged 10-35 to become politically and civically engaged.

High School Climate Challenge - Launches in 2009!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

High School Students Present High School Climate Challenge GHG Audit Findings & Recommendations for Actions On June 5th, following a two month period, students of Madame Tricia Leduc’s Grade 9 Géographie class from Sir Wilfred Laurier Secondary School (Orleans) presented their findings from their work for the High School Climate Challenge (HSCC). These students took on the challenge to audit their school's greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and in turn develop recommendations for action to their school administrators. HSCC is a joint program launched in 2008-2009 by Clean Air Champions in partnership with the Sierra Youth Coalition. For more information please click on 'Programs' above. In attendance from Sir Wilfrid Laurier were principal, Ruggles Pritchard; office staff, Ruth Macleod; and chief custodian, Mike Pentillier. In attendance from Ottawa Carleton District School Board, were Energy Performance Coordinator, Aliasger Abdulkadir; and Planner, Marc Labelle. Also in attendance were Tricia Rande, High School Climate Challenge Coordinator; Sierra Youth Coalition Sustainable High Schools Coordinator, Natalie Gibb; Sierra Youth Coalition National Director, Youri Cormier; Clean Air Champions Executive Director Deirdre Laframboise, Ottawa-Orleans Member of Parliament, Royal Galipeau, and a representative on behalf of Phil McNeely, Ottawa-Orleans MPP. The presentation marked the end of students efforts to collect and analyze baseline information on school consumption, cost and emissions data from 1999 to 2008. As well, the class developed recommendations for reducing emissions, as well as exemplifying how school boards, administrators, teachers, students, and the community can work together to reduce school related GHG emissions. Clean Air Champion and Olympian (Kayak Slalom) Sarah Boudens led a training session with the students to both educate them on the issues, and show them how to use the HSCC GHG calculator tool. The class was divided into groups of 3 and 4 students and spent several weeks gathering data to input into the online GHG calculator developed specifically for HSCC. The metrics the students measured covered the major sources of school GHG emissions namely heating, transportation, electricity, waste, paper consumption, and refrigerants. Students also assessed water consumption, green space and native plants. Ideas were presented to achieve reductions in all categories from replacing broken blinds to achieving better heating efficiency,exploring solar water heating options, on-site composting, computer and appliance efficiency measures, and refrigerator replacement and disposal. Further investigations are in order such as cost benefit analysis to determine the most effective and viable short and long term plans for Sir Wilfrid Laurier. The findings, while preliminary, provided very good insight into key areas of GHG emissions that merit further investigation. The principal and staff are committed to seeing these students, and others, continue on in with HSCC in the next year. Madame Leduc is to be commended for her excellent work with HSCC and her grade 9 students impressed all with their understanding of the complex nature of the subject matter they were dealing with, and their recommendations for change. Most importantly, they showed their eagerness to continue investigations and formalize concrete plans. Following the presentation, those in attendance had the opportunity to discuss student findings and ideas. The discussion allowed those in the room to share their challenges, ideas and recommendations as schools move forward into the unchartered ground of measuring and managing GHG emissions. As the bell rang and the halls erupted with students moving onto their next class, Madame Leduc’s students and guests remained, listening attentively to honourable MP Royal Galipeau. Mr Galipeau spoke to his youth, his history at the school and his experiences traveling the globe witnessing pollution as well as the pristine environments in Alert, Nunavut. He expressed his gratitude to the students and left thanking Sir Wilfrid students “for all you have taught me today.” Sir Wilfrid students will submit a final report of their action plans to Madame Leduc, who also coordinates the school environment club. They will also carry forward their HSCC knowledge and experience to climate change studies next year as part of new Science 10 curriculum. Furthermore, they will share their experience with other Ottawa high school students as Sir Wilfrid Laurier school will be host to a Sustainable High Schools conference in September, planned by students in collaboration with Sierra Youth Coalition. “We will definitely continue the challenge next year,” states Madame Leduc who values student-led initiatives “where real learning happens” and that allow students to do something “concrete.” Tricia Rande, HSCC Climate Challenge Coordinator

Champion and Olympic White Water Kayaker Sarah Boudens training grade 9 students on how to use the HSCC calculator at Sir Wilfred Laurier High School, Ottawa

Study Finds Environmental Education Programs Lead to Cleaner Air

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

National Environmental Education Week: April 12-18 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Washington, D.C. - April 13, 2009) A first of its kind study funded by EPA shows that environmental education programs are an effective tool in helping to improve air quality in North America. "This study shows a valuable connection between better environmental education and cleaner air in our communities," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "With the right information, people can make a real difference in the places where they live, work, play and learn." Nearly half of the surveyed institutions hosting education programs reported an improvement in air quality at their facilities due to actions taken by students, including doing service-learning projects and fostering community partnerships. Examples include decreased levels of carbon monoxide and mold, and enactment of a policy that decreased car or bus idling. An additional 43 percent of the surveyed programs reported some kind of action was taken to improve the environment. Some examples include: •East Valley Middle School (Wash.) where students monitored school indoor air quality and worked with school administrators to implement structural changes resulting in improved carbon dioxide, air flow, particulate levels, odors and mold. •Exeter High School (N.H.) where students studied air quality issues and monitored car pooling and bus idling in the school drop-off area, leading to a no-idling policy and installation of no-idling signs. •Greater Egleston Community High (Mass.) where student actions helped lead to the installation of a local air quality monitoring station, a change in fuels by city buses, and city-wide bus idling restrictions. EPA worked with the National Park Service Conservation Study Institute, Shelburne Farms, and a group of environmental researchers, educators and psychologists to complete the study. Information on the study: http://www.epa.gov/education/ R082 View all news releases related to air issues This service is provided to you by the Environmental Protection Agency

Champion Caroline Calvé, National Team Snowboarder, at an HSBC Clean Air Achievers' school

CMA Report Warns Poor Air Quality Killing Canadians

Saturday, January 31, 2009

The Canadian Medical Association released staggering new data today showing that this year alone as many as 21,000 Canadians will die prematurely from the effects of air pollution. While most of those deaths will be due to chronic exposure over a number of years, almost 3,000 will be the result of acute, short-term exposure. The CMA's report entitled 'No Breathing Room: National Illness Costs of Air Pollution', shows the effects of poor air quality based on the concentrations of two highly predictive pollutants - ozone and particulate matter - on four distinct age groups of Canadians. "With the ....the Olympics in Beijing, much has been made about the poor air quality in China and the effect it is having on our athletes," said CMA President Dr. Brian Day. "But we have a serious home-grown pollution problem right here and Canadians, ranging from the very young to the very old, are paying the price." Specific findings of the No Breathing Room: National Illness Costs of Air Pollution report include: By 2031, almost 90,000 Canadians will have died from the acute short-term effects of air pollution. The number of deaths, due to long-term exposure, will be over 700,000 - the population of Quebec City. In 2008, 80% of those who die due to air pollution will be over age 65. In 2008, 25 Canadians under age 19 will die of the effects of short-term exposure to air pollution. Ontario and Quebec residents are the worst hit Canadians, with 70% of the premature deaths occurring in Central Canada, even though these two provinces comprise only 62% of Canada's population. In 2008 there will be over 9,000 hospital visits, 30,000 emergency department visits and 620,000 doctor's office visits due to air pollution. The economic costs of air pollution in 2008 will top $8 billion. By 2031, they will have accumulated to over $250 billion. "This report shows for the first time the tragic effects of the toxic air that we breathe, whether it is in my hometown of Vancouver, or across the country in St. John's," added Dr. Day. No Breathing Room: National Illness Costs of Air Pollution used a software model first developed by the Ontario Medical Association and provides detailed health and economic data relating to changes in air quality. The study uses the best available knowledge and data on air quality, human health and economics to produce accurate forecasts of health impacts and expected costs related to changes in air quality. The tool has also been validated by a panel of international experts on health and the environment. The full report, including provincial data and tables, is available at www.cma.ca For more information: Contact: Lucie Boileau Tel. 1-800 663-7336 x1266, or 613 731-8610 x1266