1. Halton Region’s Air Program: Partners in Action
Regional Municipality of Halton
Upwind/Downwind February 27, 2012

2. Air Quality Program
Concerns related to growth in the Region and provincial initiatives (PPS, P2G, etc.)
Implementation began in 2007
All elements “up and running”
Policy development
Stationary air monitoring
Portable air monitoring
Airshed modelling
Education and outreach

3. Policy Development Two discussion papers: ROPA 38 – Guidelines:
Creating Walkable and Transit-Supportive Communities
Air Quality and Land Use Compatibility
ROPA 38 – Guidelines:
Healthy Communities
Land Use Compatibility
Air Quality Impact Assessment

4. Air Monitoring Sites in Halton 2008-2011
Georgetown Water Tower
Halton Hills
Milton Bishop Reding School
Mountsberg Wildlife Centre
Halton Region
Waste Mgmt Site
Traffic Corridor
>30,000 veh/d
Kerns Road Reservoir
MOE Oakville
MOE Burlington
Traffic Corridor
>100,000 veh/d

5. Results – PM2.5
All Halton Sources
All Halton Sources + Background

6. Background Contribution

7. Education & Outreach AQ/CC Health Promotion Program (2009)
Key Objectives:
To educate the public about the relationship btw air quality, climate change & human health, and their links to built environment
To shift attitudes toward energy use & modes of transportation
To encourage behaviour change
Mention budget of $75,000

8. Program Design Research: Air & Climate Community Survey (2009) Budget
Air & Climate Change Communication
Messages & strategies that work
Social learning & behaviour change theory
Air & Climate Community Survey (2009)
Budget

9. 2010 Activities www.halton.ca/airquality
Nick & Joules Air Quality PSA Campaign
2 million views, web visits: up 460%
Tools for Schools
Extreme Heat / Cold thermometer incentive programs
Promote AQHI & 20/20 Messaging

10. 2011 Activities Be a Climate Change Champion
Use of personal stories to inspire action
5 Short Videos at
Energy Reduction at Home
Energy Reduction on the Road
Active Transportation
Air Quality & Health
Contest Winner
Plus article, expert, ad/offer

11. 2011 Activities Continued Environmental Literacy project
Importance of story in environmental change
Committee of experts / partners in delivery
Focus testing
Translated to 5 languages
3-book series

12. 2012 Activities Air & climate toolkit for child care centres
Promotion of Climate Change Champions
Promotion of Picture Book, Supplementary Learning, Workshops for teachers
Development of Book 2: Wings and Thingamajigs (launch Clean Air Day 2012)

13. Designing programs that work
Keep it local & focus on small actions
Feature champions & their stories
Use of positive/motivational messaging
Involve experts in delivery of program
Provide meaningful incentives
Don’t rely on concern for children’s future
Use multi-media & new media (esp. video)
Look at creative ways to reach audience
Keeping up with the Joneses

14. Lessons Learned Context, context, context
Messaging
Be ready for the policy discussion
Internal support
Engagement
Multi-method, multi-stakeholder model
Be patient

15. Next Steps & (Un)Likely Partners
Other pollutants?
VOCs, PAHs, DPM…
Other micro-environments?
Distribution centres, child care, drive-thrus
Other tools?
LUR, passive sampling
Local airshed management?
Fed/Prov/Municipalities (& Health, Planning, Transportation, & Economic Development departments), Industry, Neighbourhood/Ratepayer Associations
Accountability?

16. For more information: Peter Steer Beckie Jas
Environmental Health Senior Policy Analyst Environmental Health Specialist
Ext Ext. 7678
Recommended Reading:
Engaging the Public with Climate Change (Behaviour Change and Communication), Whitmarsh, O’Neill, Lorenzoni. Earthscan, 2011.
Daily Web TV Links:
Energy Reduction at Home:
Energy Reduction on Road:
Active Transportation:
Air Quality & Your Health:
Contest Winner: