inspiring canadians to live better.

healthing leaf

inspiring canadians to live better.

healthing leaf
mosquito-borne diseases affect up to 700 million people each year. learn more
powered by: valneva canada inc.
home / 世界杯决赛2022

what the pandemic taught metro vancouver about air pollution

keeping air pollution at or below pandemic levels could save thousands of lives and about $1 billion in health care costs over a decade

by vancouver sun

jul 5 2021
read time 2 minute read
join the conversation
by: nathan griffiths
covid-19 provided metro vancouver with an involuntary experiment in how large reductions in emissions can improve air quality in the region.
as pandemic restrictions went into place last march and businesses closed or shifted to a work from home model, the region’s air quality improved significantly, approaching levels authorities were planning to reach by 2050.
work is currently underway at metro vancouver on two long-term
air quality
and
climate action
plans that the regional authority says are “are critical to setting a path for clean air and a carbon-neutral region.”
“we need to match that level of reduction and then some,” said roger quan, director of air quality and climate change at metro vancouver.
“shutting down the economy isn’t the answer, but we’re hoping to build awareness and support for achieving the same level of reductions through different policies and interventions.”
results from a monitoring station on clark drive in vancouver highlighted how last year’s dramatic reduction in vehicle traffic was a major contributor to the improved air quality. the station measures both nitrogen dioxide (no2) — which comes primarily from burning fuel — and traffic volumes on the road. as traffic volumes fell, so did no2 levels.
powered by
canadian centre for caregiving excellence

advertisement

traffic levels have climbed since last spring’s low, but remain about 15 per cent below 2019 levels , according to metro vancouver .

quan said the changes in air quality brought about by the pandemic highlighted the level of reduction that was possible and the steps that individuals can take to support it.

he highlighted the current bicycle shortage and the increase in e-bike sales as a sign that people were beginning to reconsider how they get around in the region.

“if we can reduce the amount of traffic, and then if you were to layer in and reduce the tailpipe and reduce traffic, you get a sense of how quickly the environment could recover and what level of reductions is possible,” said quan.
fewer cars and more bikes doesn’t only help the environment but offers significant individual health benefits, both physical and mental, according to dr. melissa lem, president-elect of the canadian association of physicians for the environment and a clinical assistant professor at the university of british columbia.
“there is evidence showing that people who have longer commutes have more mood issues and they have worse cardiovascular health,” she said.

lem said active transportation, like biking or walking, not only reduces health risks but helps better connect people with their communities. because people have invested in e-bikes or other active transportation over the past year, she said, those experiences should help them continue the habit.

powered by
obesity matters

advertisement

“air pollution kills over 15,000 canadians every year, ” lem said, noting how close that is to the roughly 22,000 canadians who died from covid-19 during the first year of the pandemic.

“we have to take that same spirit of community mobilization to protect each other [from covid-19] and direct it towards air quality.
“we can rapidly improve our air quality,” said lem. “if we make a concerted effort, we can make a huge difference.”
ngriffiths@postmedia.com
twitter.com/njgriffiths
 
 

comments

postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. we ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. we have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. visit our community guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

you may also like
doctor vaccinating a senior woman. virus protection. covid-2019.
why new rsv vaccine recommendations are essential for seniors and long-term care facilities
overhead flat lay of a doctor's stethoscope with the canadian flag against a blue background.
which provinces and territories spend the most on healthcare in canada?
male doctor explaining young lady results of mammogram, breast cancer awareness
study shows no significant difference in mortality rates among common breast cancer treatments
telemedicine, video call to doctor, communication with medicine online. modern focused middle aged woman having online call on laptop showing tablets in a blister. healthcare and medicine concept
the future of clinical trials: bringing hybrid and decentralized methods to all canadians
happy african american man and his family preparing salad in the kitchen.
study says fathers-to-be should watch what they eat
you may also like
doctor vaccinating a senior woman. virus protection. covid-2019.
why new rsv vaccine recommendations are essential for seniors and long-term care facilities
overhead flat lay of a doctor's stethoscope with the canadian flag against a blue background.
which provinces and territories spend the most on healthcare in canada?
male doctor explaining young lady results of mammogram, breast cancer awareness
study shows no significant difference in mortality rates among common breast cancer treatments
telemedicine, video call to doctor, communication with medicine online. modern focused middle aged woman having online call on laptop showing tablets in a blister. healthcare and medicine concept
the future of clinical trials: bringing hybrid and decentralized methods to all canadians
you may also like
doctor vaccinating a senior woman. virus protection. covid-2019.
why new rsv vaccine recommendations are essential for seniors and long-term care facilities
overhead flat lay of a doctor's stethoscope with the canadian flag against a blue background.
which provinces and territories spend the most on healthcare in canada?