Federal environment minister launches Environment Week

On June 3, 2002, Environment Minister David Anderson launched Environment Week and Clean Air Day. Environment Week, June 2 – 8, celebrates the actions of Canadians who make choices every day that help contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment.

Clean Air Day activities will aim to reduce the emissions from energy and transportation that cause air pollution. The theme of Environment Week 2002 is “Make a Difference.”

Here are a few of the suggested actions listed at Environment Canada’s Green Lane site:

 Make a resolution to avoid idling vehicles. Ten seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine.
 Conduct an energy audit in homes or offices to find ways to reduce energy use and costs and help the environment at the same time.
 Organize street garbage and recycling exchanges where neighbors agree to place all garbage cans and bags on one side of the street and all recycling boxes on the other. This forces the garbage and recycling trucks to pass on your street only once, reducing vehicle emissions and keeping the streets safer for children.

For more information, visit http://www.ec.gc.ca/eco/eweek_e.htm