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I'm Sick of Smog!

Posted by Staff / July 19, 2005

7 Comments

July19_smog.jpgSmog is killing me, you, and everyone you love in the GTA; so what are we doing about it? I assumed since the air is so bad that we are doing nothing, I was kinda wrong. I decided to look into this issue of air in Toronto and instantly google told me about GTA Clean Air Online that will tell you the air quality for Toronto. That's all fine and good, but what about action?

I had no idea that Toronto has its own One Tonne Challenge and that there was a Smog Summit in June. The Clean Air Partnership is a Toronto charity that exists to make the air better. Some organizations are doing something, but it really boils down to each individual making a contribution to help to reduce smog. If you want to reduce smog go and support things like car free day in Kensington, write your councilor, stop idling, ride your bike...

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Jennn / July 20, 2005 at 01:43 am
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:)

Yeah I felt compelled to rant away about this too, hehe.

http://www.blogto.com/city/2005/02/fix_your_tailpipe/#more
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maciej / July 20, 2005 at 03:07 am
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I'm quite interested in comparision data - which seems quite hard to obtain.

So called smog days in Toronto were announced when 50pp was reached. Instead in the USA it seems they have 120pp level to call an 'action day'....

Anyone knows how it really is? And what about other smog days around the world? What does it mean? What is the level (real) of particles to call a smog alert in other parts of the world?
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joey / July 20, 2005 at 08:59 am
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I'm sick of smog too, and honestly have found that there isn't enough incentive for people to do something good. I'm starting up an initiative myself (which the city and the TTC seem to really like), and it's just in the first stages, but you can find more information at the link (my name), where I spell it out in basics. I've got several businesses interested already... environmentally-conscious ones, of course to start. Feel free to email me for more info.
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Fraser / July 20, 2005 at 10:13 am
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Joey,

First, that's actually a fantastic idea. But, there are a few logistical and lobbying kinks that jump right out at me. But, they seem solvable.

Some sort of initiative meeting could be really productive!
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joey / July 20, 2005 at 10:15 am
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Thanks Fraser. I don't see your email here (I just realized that although this form asks for it, it doesn't show) - so please email me at joeycuppaATyahoo.ca - that goes for anyone else interested too. :)

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Adam / July 20, 2005 at 07:09 pm
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Neat idea Joey, you said on your blog that you've sent out that email to some politicians and business. What were their responses?

And please keep me informed about the progress you make.
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joey / July 20, 2005 at 08:06 pm
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Hey Adam, their responses have been all positive. I'm hoping Fraser gets in touch with me because I'd like to know what he's concerned about. Hopefully I've already thought of it (and a solution), but we can work it out. The TTC likes it (Howard Moscoe is very brief in his emails, but he likes the idea), the city likes it (Paula Fletcher, Sandra Bussin, Olivia Chow and Mayor Miller's Offices have all replied positively - and Fletcher is taking the idea to the Roundtable on the Environment committee), and most importantly, business likes it. The Toronto Board of Trade is really interested in the idea. My last email (which I will be posting on "cuppajoe" soon) hasn't gotten a ton of response (either people are busy, or on vacation...) but I figure that the TTC or the City doesn't have to like it, or even do anything (although they have good resources), as long as businesses and transit-users like it. I've got a few environmentally-conscious businesses interested for sure (including MEC and AutoShare), but I have now got to figure out how to carry this out and promote it, etc., etc.
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