Alberta's Air Quality

Alberta's air quality is affected by many factors. One of the most common factors is weather. Because air circulates around the planet, air quality in Alberta can be affected by climate systems and natural events thousands of kilometres away. Many substances in the atmosphere that are considered to be pollutants have natural sources as well as human ones. Volcanoes release sulphur dioxide (SO2), hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and very fine matter, called particulates, into the air. Hydrogen sulphide is also released from hot springs, sloughs and swamps. Forest fires add carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Biological processes in the soil release nitrogen oxides (NO, NO2, N2O) and methane (CH4) into the air.

Industrial emissions have a major influence on Alberta's air quality. The development of Alberta's vast energy resources and the burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity are important emission sources. They contribute to the greenhouse effect, acid deposition and smog. In Alberta's urban areas, motor vehicles can have a noticeable effect on air quality.

While humans have little control over natural emissions into the atmosphere, we do have control over the contaminants released as a result of our activities. Most sources of atmospheric contaminants are the result of combustion of one kind or another. We burn fossil fuels to heat our homes, power our vehicles and produce electricity. Most air emissions come from the incomplete combustion of these fuels.

In Alberta, the Clean Air Strategic Alliance (CASA) plays a key role in protecting air quality. This partnership includes industries, the Alberta Government and many other influential stakeholders. The CASA vision is that "the air will be odourless, tasteless, look clear and have no measurable short- or long-term adverse effects on people, animals or the environment." For more information about CASA, see the Clean Air Strategic Alliance website.

Check out the environmental indicators for air to learn about the state of air quality in Alberta and our progress towards this vision.

For more information about climate change, visit Alberta Environment's Climate Change website or Climate Change Central.