Your Quick Action Guide for Environment Week

"Make a Difference!" is this year's slogan for Canadian Environment Week, June 2 to 8, and on Clean Air Day, June 5.

Here are some suggestions on what individuals and local groups can do to make a difference for clean air, clean water, climate change and nature. These are just a few ideas – the possibilities to make a positive impact are limitless.

In your neighbourhood

• Clean up shared space such as parks, bus stops, pathways or gardens;
• Try a ride-sharing network for children's activities;
• Organize a meeting to discuss transportation issues in your neighbourhood; and
• Organize a neighbourhood "junk" exchange.

In your community

• Form a group to co-ordinate local environmental projects;
• Contact your municipality to set up regular hazardous waste collection days;
• Start up a community garden – involve your neighbours in growing fresh local-grown organic produce; and
• Organize projects such as tree-planting as an environmental legacy.

In your school

• Organize a "no waste" lunch including competition between classes to see which one has the least waste;
• Propose a no-idling policy for vehicles in front of schools;
• Start a Rescue Mission project where students study their community to determine sustainability.

Many of these suggestions are designed to reduce air pollution. With thousands of people adversely affected by smog, Clean Air Day provides and ideal focus for action ranging from leaving cars at home to reducing reliance on gasoline tools such as lawnmowers and garden tractors.

Visit the Environment Week Web site and the Clean Air Day Web site for more ideas.

"No Fees, no Fines" Vehicle Emissions Clinics

Vehicles are the source of millions of tonnes of pollutants released into the atmosphere each year, making a significant contribution to air quality problems.

Motorists in a number of cities across Canada can help the "drive for cleaner air" this spring and summer with a check of their vehicle's tailpipe emissions at Environment Canada's Vehicle Emissions Inspection Clinics.

The free, "No fees, no fines" clinics include a simple idle exhaust emissions test, a check of tire pressures and a gas cap seal test.

Check out the schedule for dates and locations across Canada.