Air Quality & Climate Change
Air Quality
Ontario Plans To Increase Greenhouse Gas Emissions
July 2020
Ontario is set to throw away more than a third of the greenhouse gas reductions it achieved by phasing out dirty coal thanks to a power plan built around ramping up gas-fired generation to replace the output of the Pickering Nuclear Station (scheduled to close in 2024). Twenty-nine groups, including the Citizens Environment Alliance, suggested a better way for Ontarians to get electricity, including meeting our 2030 climate target and lowering our electricity bills. Read more.
Action Required on Cumulative Effects of Air Pollution
February 2015
CEA and other environmental groups write Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) to urge action to protect the health of Ontarians and Ontario’s airsheds from the harmful cumulative effects of air pollution. Although several Ontario communities, such as Hamilton, Sarnia, and Windsor, bear a disproportionate burden of air pollution, MOECC does not consider cumulative effects in its regulation of industrial air emissions. Read the submission.
Energy and Climate Change
Climate Action Groups Release Mandate Letter
November 2019
In anticipation of new mandate letters for the Government of Canada's ministers, environmental groups have released their own mandate letter. The letter is focused on urgently responding to the climate emergency. The letter was published by Climate Action Network Canada, read letter.
Canada's Proposed Environmental Assessment Framework Needs Improvement in Order to Meet Assessment and Climate Expectations
June 2019
The CEA and 25 other leading environmental organizations from across Canada wrote to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change expressing our concerns about several aspects of the government's proposed environmental assessment framework. The proposal, as it stands now, will further undermine environmental assessment in Canada and fail to meet Canada's domestic and international climate commitments. Read the press release and letter.
Climate Accountability: A Letter to the Federal Government from NGOs
December 2018
In collaboration with other members of Climate Action Network Canada, the Citizens Environment Alliance wrote to the Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. The letter outlines our concern that the government is not yet delivering accountability, measurability and transparency for Canadian climate action. Read more
Public Interest Lawsuit for Climate Protection
November 2018
We are now feeling the effects of climate change in our daily lives – heatwaves, extreme rainfall events, wildfires, and even air pollution.
The IPCC recently told governments that they need to do much more to protect their citizens from the worst impacts of climate change to come – reduce GHG pollution roughly in half by 2030 and down to zero by 2050.
One way citizens can force their governments to act is through “public interest” lawsuits in the courts – there’s been success in the Netherlands, and in the United States groups of youth plaintiffs are suing the government to protect their futures.
Citizen-led lawsuits force governments to reckon with the impacts that are already happening in communities and explain to a judge why they aren’t doing what needs to be done according to the global scientific consensus.
These lawsuits allow citizens to stand up for their rights, and their community’s right, to a climate like the one we’ve known in Canada.
Environmental Protection Act Needs to be Improved
October 2018
More than 30 public interest groups, including the CEA, supported Canadian Environmental Law Association draft amendments to improve the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). We wrote to the ministers of environment and health and urged them to introduce the amendments during the current session of Parliament. The amendments address five areas of concern with CEPA that were raised during standing committee hearings and reflected in the committee’s report, but not necessarily supported in the government’s June 2018 response to the report. These include:
control over endocrine disrupting substances;
establishment of enforceable national ambient air quality standards;
protection of vulnerable populations from toxic substances;
substitution of safer alternatives to toxic substances; and
civil enforcement of CEPA by the public in the courts.
Read the letter to ministers and the proposed amendments to CEPA.
Environmental Groups Call for Climate Action in Ontario
August 2018
Climate Action Network Canada, including the Citizens Environment Alliance, has called on the new Ontario government to implement a new, scientifically relevant climate action plan immediately. Ontario's government has spent its first few weeks in power dismantling climate actions in Ontario without providing an alternative plan of action. Read the letter.
Windsor's Proposed Community Energy Plan
May 2017
Windsor's draft Community Energy Plan was developed over 18 months by a diverse number of individuals and groups, including the CEA. Find out more about Windsor's Community Energy Plan. Watch the YouTube video.
Switch Ontario to 100% Renewable Energy
October 2016
The CEA and more than a dozen other organizations have launched a campaign to switch Ontario to 100% renewable energy. Ontario should commit to 100% renewable energy to fight climate change, lower our energy bills, empower our communities and eliminate the risks and radioactive waste produced by nuclear reactors. Join us at 100 reontario to stay informed and get involved.
Eco Summit
April 2015
During the month of April, 2015 the Citizens Environment Alliance joined Ecology Ottawa, Toronto Environmental Alliance, Environment Hamilton and Oakvillegreen in Windsor for a two day strategy meeting on cities taking action to fight climate change. Left to right: Dusha Sritharan, Graham Saul, Beatrice Ekoko, Beatriz Gomez, Lynda Lukasik, Franz Hartmann, Stu Campana and Derek Coronado.
Hundreds of Thousands of Canadians Call for Urgent Action on Climate Change
December 2009
On the opening day of the Copenhagen Climate Summit, 152,843 Canadians have signed the KYOTOplus petition and 120 organizations have called for a sustainable Canada. On the same day as the presentation of the KYOTOplus petitions in Copenhagen over 10 million petition signatures from the Tck Tck Tck campaign were delivered to United Nations representatives.
KYOTOplus calls on the Canadian government to set a national target to cut greenhouse gas emissions at least 25 percent from 1990 levels by 2020 and to implement an effective national plan to reach this target. The petition also calls for Canada to help developing countries to reduce their emissions and adapt to climate change.
Rally for Action on Climate Change
November 2009
Saturday, November 28th, 2009 - Guest Speakers: Hon. Joe Comartin, MP for Windsor-Tecumseh, Hon. Brian Masse, MP for Windsor West help send a message to the Federal Government supporting action on climate change.
October 2009
Open Letter Supporting the Copenhagen Climate Bill
April 2009
Comments on the Green Energy and Green Economy Act (Bill 150)
November 2008
Challenging the Renewable Operating Permit for the Greater Detroit Resource Recovery Facility
June 2011
The CEA challenges the renewable operating permit for the Greater Detroit Resource Recovery Facility, also known as the Detroit Incinerator.
June 14, 2011: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality response letter
May 11, 2010: CEA letter challenges permit for GDRRF
Challenging the Monroe Power Plant's proposal to burn petcoke
May 2010
CEA challenges modification of DTE's Monroe Power Plant Operating Permit. A modification where they seek permission to burn sub-bituminous coal and petcoke.
May 12, 2010: CEA submission challenges permit modification for DTE's Monroe Power Plant
Transportation
September 2009
Statement to Governor Granholm and the Michigan Legislature
August 2009
Comments on DRIC Environmental Assessment
May 2009
Comments on DRIC Environmental Assessment
May 2008
Comments on DRIC Environmental Impact Statement
March 2008
CEA Supports National Campaign to Improve Vehicle Efficiency: read the ENGO consolidated report
Smog Action
Anti-Smog Action Plan for the City of Windsor
On July 28, 1998, the Citizens Environment Alliance (CEA) proposed the following anti-smog action plan for the City of Windsor and its departments.....
The Citizens Environment Alliance is inviting the City of Windsor to take leadership in fighting air pollution in our community. A strong anti-smog plan is key. To combat smog the City of Windsor and its departments must.....
Suspend road paving during smog days. This anti-smog provision could be included in all private contracts for paving.
Suspend city activities requiring gasoline powered Parks equipment on smog days. (A lawn mower contributes 11.5 times more smog related pollutants than does a car; a leaf blower pollutes 35 times more).
On smog days, suspend the use of oil based paints, solvents, cleaners and other products that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Demand tighter restrictions on industrial point sources of smog, including factories, recycling facilities, dry cleaning facilities, paint and body shops, local foundries, and others.
Suspend pesticide/herbicide spraying during smog days.
Implement an idling bylaw and encourage surrounding communities to follow.
Set up a local Air Quality Office to provide the community with updates on our air quality and suggestions for avoiding smog creating activities, especially during smog alert days.
Consider road closures during smog days while working with Transit Windsor to develop contingency plans. This could help highlight alternatives to the automobile.
Implement a program to educate city employees about smog, its effects, and what they can do to reduce their contribution to smog.
Establish a "Dirty Diesel Hotline" where residents can report belching fumes from tractor trailers and other diesel vehicles such as city buses and delivery trucks.
Promote a corporate smog reduction program and challenge all industries and businesses to sign on.
Commit support to the promotion of water taxi services between Windsor and such places as Ohio, western Michigan, and the Lake St. Clair region.
Commit to the elimination of truck traffic in the Detroit-Windsor tunnel.
Commit to purchasing 25% of municipal electricity from green sources such as wind turbine, solar, fuel cells and cogeneration* (*there are five cogeneration plants in Windsor-- University of Windsor, West Windsor Power, Casino Windsor, Ford Motor and Chrysler Canada. These plants burn natural gas which is also a greenhouse gas contributor, but has a lower carbon content, and is considered an interim solution to replace high carbon sources such as coal.)
Commit to starting a ferry service between Detroit and Windsor which will help eliminate automobile congestion in the tunnel and streets of Windsor.
Provide health warnings that would help citizens recognize smog induced symptoms. Ask the Windsor & District Labour Council and other organizations to help by distributing information about air pollution and health to local unions and other organizations.
Suspend gasoline re-fueling (delay essential re-fueling until evening hours) on smog days.
Statements Regarding Air Quality
Health Canada estimates that sixteen thousand Canadians die prematurely each year from the effects of air pollution. Many of the premature deaths are caused by fine particulates, ground level ozone (smog) and other pollutants inhaled deep into the lungs.
Air pollution also increases emergency room visits, and cardiac and respiratory hospital admissions.
A recent Canadian study concluded that there is no safe level of human exposure to ground level ozone (smog).
Besides affecting human health, smog damages vegetation and decreases the productivity of some crops, it can injure flowers and shrubs and may be contributing to forest decline in Canada.
Environment Canada
"As a physician and advocate for the health of the citizens of Windsor and Essex County, I feel strongly that the massive weight of medical experience and scientific evidence propels us to take urgent action to prevent further deterioration of our environment."
"Please support this effort (the CEA anti-smog action plan) to provide what protection we can for the children and elderly of our community against the pervasive deleterious effects of airborne poisons. Everyone in our county deserves to breathe cleaner air!"
Thomas J. Barnard, M.D., Former President of the Essex County Medical Society
"The kinds of actions that are possible at the local level can have a significant positive impact on local and regional air quality.
Municipal governments have the authority to control their own operations and property. [They] also have authority to control the terms of their contracts. If conditions are imposed uniformly on all contractors, they are enforceable.
Most importantly, municipal governments can have a significant influence on other employers, agencies, and organizations in the community. Their ability to inspire, challenge and encourage others to higher standards should not be underestimated."
The University of Windsor's Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER) Anti-Smog Action Report, March 6, 2000