Burning fossil fuels such as gasoline, oil, and coal for energy is one of the main ways we add to air polution. Driving cars, heating homes, using appliances, or running factories and power plants, all release pollutants into the atmosphere, which contribute to smog.

These same fossil fuel-burning activities also emit greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change.

Solutions to address both problems at once - reducing climate change and smog - will create the greatest benefits for everyone.

Air Pollution Health Effect Pyramid

How our health can be harmed

How our health can be harmed (Gouvernment of Canada, 1997)

Did you know?
In Atlantic Canada, about 75% of our smog comes from outside our region. Reducing our own emissions helps in convincing other provinces and the United States to reduce air pollution.

What is smog?

A mix of pollutants, including nitrogen oxides (NO₂) and volatile organic compounds (VOC), which react together in sunlight to make ozone (O₃). At ground level, where we can breathe it in, ozone is harmful to health. Up high in the atmosphere and stratosphere, ozone protects us from ultraviolet rays.

Did you know?
Transportation in Canada is the source of 52% of nitrogen oxide emissions, which lead to smog, and 26% of greenhouse gas emissions.

Photo of cars (Photograph courtesy of W. Groszko)

Gouvernment of Canada 1997 : Phase 2 Federal Smog Management Plan, Gouvernment of Canada, November 1997, p. 13.