Get Involved

 Free Vehicle Emissions Inspections Sweep Across the Country

Did you know that automobiles release millions of tonnes of pollutants into the atmosphere and are the largest source of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in Canada? With summer approaching, get your vehicle inspected at a free emissions clinic to learn how it measures up and what steps need to be taken to improve both fuel economy and air quality.

Starting the first week in May, drivers can visit one of 40 Let's Drive Green voluntary vehicle emissions inspection clinics across the country. This No Fees - No Fines program is designed to raise awareness of the effects individual transportation choices have on clean air and climate.

How Does Your Vehicle Measure Up?

The thick, yellow haze that hovers over city skylines is called smog, and it's affecting Canadians' health. Smog can irritate the eyes, nose and throat. As levels increase, it is responsible for health problems such as asthma attacks, bronchitis, coughing, chest pain and decreased lung function. However, smog levels can be controlled and reduced by properly maintaining vehicles. Taking simple steps to reduce emissions will improve air quality for all Canadians.

Completing an inspection takes no more than 10 minutes when there are no line-ups. Everything is free of charge and there are no fines, penalties or follow-ups of any kind with individual vehicles regardless of how they fare on the tests. Staff and volunteers inspect vehicles' tire pressure and measure the concentration of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons in the exhaust. They also verify that gas caps are secure to ensure that no evaporated fuel is escaping into the air, which can be harmful to the environment and to drivers' fuel economy!

Meet Your One-Tonne Goal

By reducing vehicle emissions, Canadians will be taking a big step towards meeting the One-Tonne Challenge, an appeal to all Canadians to reduce their individual greenhouse gas emissions by one tonne each year. Simple actions such as properly inflating tires and maintaining your vehicle according to the manufacturer's maintenance schedule, can potentially reduce emissions by about one-third of a tonne each year.

For more information regarding clinic dates and location please visit the Let's Drive Green Web site.

Related Links:

• Let's Drive Green
• 2004 Clinics Schedule
• One-Tonne Challenge
• Personal Vehicles Initiative
• Tire inflation? Riding on air

Reduce your impact on the planet. Check out the following links for hints and ideas on becoming more environmentally friendly.

What You Can Do : Small Changes Make Big Differences
You can make a difference for the environment! Whether you are an individual or already part of a community environmental group, this site is for you. Connect with environmental organizations across the country, find tools, resources, links and information that you can use in your day-to-day life, and in helping with your community environmental group efforts.

Canadian Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse
Environment Canada's online database and comprehensive resource providing Canadians with the information they need to put pollution prevention (P2) into practice. Search the database to access over 1500 different P2 resources organized by sector, activity, substance, audience, and P2 type.

Aptitudes is an on-line training program mainly geared to people working in non-governmental organizations involved in environmental endeavours. The program enables these people to interact with governments and to increase their involvement in the development of government policies, programs and services in environmental matters.

CanadianEnvironmental.com is a free comprehensive resource for environmental professionals and others involved in the management of environmental issues related to industry. The site is a gateway to hundreds of major on-line sources of environmental information and provides easy access to environmental news, information and legislation, products and services, job listings, calendar of events, discussion forum, a free monthly newsletter and more.

Eartheasy
Is about helping us reduce our impact on the environment and bring more harmony and quality to our lives. Simple, inexpensive ideas and practical solutions address a wide range of lifestyle choices we all face each day.

Environmental Choice Program^M
Canada's ecolabelling program helps Canadians identify products that are safer for the environment. Once a product or service has been certified, it can carry the EcoLogo^M – three stylized doves in the shape of a maple leaf.

Tools of Change
Offers specific tools, case studies, and a planning guide to help you take action and adopt habits that promote health and more environmentally-friendly choices.