Provincial Employees Lead by Example During Clean Air Day, Commuter Challenge

Published by the Department of Environment

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

As Canada celebrates Clean Air Day today, June 8, and the Commuter Challenge, June 5-11, government employees in the province are leading by example. Whether they run, bus, bike, carpool, rollerblade, or canoe, they are demonstrating their commitment to better health and a cleaner environment.

Quotes

“ Clean Air Day and the Commuter Challenge are opportunities for us all to take action for our health and our environment. ” Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau

“ It's great to see provincial employees commuting in active and sustainable ways. By reducing unnecessary and harmful vehicle emissions we can all help to improve air quality and the quality of life for Nova Scotians today and in future generations. ” Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau

Quick Facts

• Using sustainable transportation can greatly benefit the environment:
  • A full bus takes 40 to 60 cars off the road
  • Carpooling replaces up to four cars and results in less air pollution while saving time and money
  • One car in five travels less than one kilometre. Most people can walk one kilometre in 10 minutes and cycle three kilometres in 15 minutes
  • Transportation accounts for about 25 per cent of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions and is a major contributor to smog in urban areas
  • Avoiding just 16 kilometres of driving every week eliminates about 227 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
  • Every litre of gasoline produces 2.4 kilograms of carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas.
  • Urban vehicle exhaust can account for up to two-thirds of smog-producing pollutants. Smog is particularly harmful to the health of children, the elderly and people with cardio-respiratory problems.
  • Every year, air pollution leads to more premature deaths than traffic accidents in Canada.
• Clean Air Day raises awareness and encourages action on clean air and climate change issues. Since vehicles are a major contributor of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, Nova Scotians can contribute to cleaner air by choosing more sustainable modes of transportation.
• The Commuter Challenge is a nationwide event that celebrates active and sustainable transportation. It is a friendly competition between Canadian cities and workplaces to see how many people can get out of single occupancy vehicles and into healthier and more environmentally friendly ways of commuting.
• Public transit, cycling, walking, rollerblading, carpooling-ride-sharing, and telecommuting are examples of sustainable transportation methods that can reduce air emissions, save on fuel costs, and contribute to better physical and mental health.
• Canadian Environment Week takes place annually during the first week of June.

Commuter Profiles to Accompany Video/Photos for Social Media Release

Cycling
Name: Bev Reid
Position: Specification and Procurement Officer
Department: Communications Nova Scotia
Type of Commute: Bicycle.
From where to where: Cole Harbour to North Halifax.
Distance: 16 kilometres
Benefits: Healthy lifestyle, stress relief, weight loss, no car maintenance, parking fees or bridge fees. Savings pay for vacations!
Challenges: Lack of bike lanes, poor road conditions, motorists and pedestrians, bad weather, broken glass.
Advice: Buy a bike that fits, wear bright colors and a helmet, have a bell and lights on the front and back of your bike, plan your bike route and try it out, know the rules of the road for cycling, and always be alert and aware of your surroundings.
Key to success: Get everything ready the night before and take time to enjoy the ride - it's the journey, not how fast you get there.

Running
Name: Ryan Van Horne
Position: Responsible Gambling Officer
Department: Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation
Type of commute: Running and cycling.
From where to where: Fleming Park to downtown.
Distance: 6.5 kilometres.
Benefits: Stay in shape, save money, and help the environment.
Challenges: Snowstorms and inattentive motorists.
Advice: Just do it; once you start, it becomes a habit.
Key to success: Having access to a shower at work.

Carpooling
Name: Krista Higdon, Stacey Jones-Oxner, Kim Kennedy and Allan Lawlor
Position: Communications Advisor (Education); Marketing Advisor, Marketing Division; Administrative Assistant, Marketing Division; Multi-media Co-ordinator, Communications Technology.
Department(s): Communications Nova Scotia
Type of commute: Carpool
From where to where: Spryfield to Clayton Park to downtown.
Distance: Approximately 20 kilometres
Benefits: Save money on parking, reduce emissions, and great conversation and friendship.
Challenges: Accommodating everyone’s schedules.
Advice: Do it! The benefits far outweigh the challenges.
Key to success: Being patient.

Rollerblading
Name: Paul LaFleche
Position: Deputy Minister
Department: Agriculture
Type of commute: Rollerblading
From where to where: North Halifax to downtown.
Distance: 3 kilometres
Benefits: Speed, exercise, time to think before arriving at work and getting home.
Challenges: Sidewalk traffic, weather (rain, leaves, wind), cell phone calls.
Advice: Buy decent gear, wear protective equipment, prepare for all types of weather.
Key to success: Be prepared, have fun and don't get stressed.

Canoeing
Name: John Brazner and Oliver Maass
Position: Wetland Specialist and Protected Areas Coordinator
Department: Environment
Type of commute: Canoe and walk (winter) or bike on alternating days (summer).
From where to where: Purcell’s Cove Road to downtown Halifax.
Distance: 17 kilometres
Benefits: Fresh air, good workout, wildlife-sightings (eagles, seals, starfish), no traffic jams!
Challenges: Ice and wind, big hills.
Advice: Dress for conditions, don't paddle if peak wind is over 50 km/hour, bring a change of clothes so you can shower at work after biking.
Key to success: It's gotta be fun and this is. It's like having to choose between getting a tooth drilled (fighting traffic in the car) or having a massage (canoeing)!

Public Transit
Name: David Darrow
Position: Deputy Minister
Department: Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal
Type of commute: Public transit (bus)
From where to where: Sackville to downtown Halifax.
Distance: 18 kilometres
Benefits: Environmentally friendly, low stress and relaxing, convenient, cheaper than driving your own car and parking, able to use BlackBerry.
Challenges: Occasionally unable to get a seat.
Advice: Buy a month's supply of bus tickets and give it a try. You won't regret it.
Key to success: Reliable transit service.

Learn More

• Clean Air Day
• Commuter Challenge
• Environment Week
• Department of Environment Air Quality Branch
• Nova Scotia Air Quality Health Index
• Nova Scotia Anti-Idling Act

Media Contacts

Becky Atkinson

Department of Environment

902-424-6427

Cell: 902-240-8805

E-mail: atkinsrj@gov.ns.ca