Air Quality and Climate Change

Air Quality

Action Required on Cumulative Effects of Air Pollution

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

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.

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.

If you want to join a citizens’ lawsuit for climate protection and are experiencing impacts from climate change now (e.g. from heatwaves that cause hospital visits and even a risk of death for children, the elderly, pregnant women, or marginalized populations, or extreme rainfall and flooding that leads to stressful evacuations, property damage, and pollution of local water including drinking water) please contact the Citizens Environment Alliance 519-973-1116 or email ceaadmin@cogeco.net.

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.

Local Engagement and Solutions to Climate Change

May 2018

The CEA, as a member of the Urban Climate Alliance, presents this "How to Guide" about local engagement organizing and solutions to climate change. Activist How-to Guide 2018

We have also produced a new video about Ojibway Shores to support this project. Thanks to Vice-President Al McKinnon for his production skills on the video! Ojibway Shores Video

New Report: Municipal Climate Action Needs Provincial Support to Succeed

April 2018

A new report card released by the Urban Climate Alliance (UCA) shows how municipal governments in Ottawa, Toronto, Oakville, Hamilton and Windsor are getting ready for climate change and the news isn’t good. A key reason? The Province needs to properly use the tools at its disposal, like carbon pricing, to help cities implement their plans. Read on...   Background information

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

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

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.

Open Letter Supporting the Copenhagen Climate Bill (October 2009)

Comments on the Green Energy and Green Economy Act (Bill 150) (April 2009)

Comments on the Environmental Assessment of the Proposed Life-Extension of the Pickering B Nuclear Station (November 2008)

Challenging the Monroe Power Plant's proposal to burn petcoke

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

Challenging the Renewable Operating Permit for the Greater Detroit Resource Recovery Facility

The CEA challenges the renewable operating permit for the Greater Detroit Resource Recovery Facility, also known as the Detroit Incinerator

May 11, 2010: CEA letter challenges permit for GDRRF

June 14, 2011: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality response letter

Transportation

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.....

1. Suspend road paving during smog days. This anti-smog provision could be included in all private contracts for paving.
2. 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).
3. On smog days, suspend the use of oil based paints, solvents, cleaners and other products that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
4. Demand tighter restrictions on industrial point sources of smog, including factories, recycling facilities, dry cleaning facilities, paint and body shops, local foundries, and others.
5. Suspend pesticide/herbicide spraying during smog days.
6. Implement an idling bylaw and encourage surrounding communities to follow.
7. 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.
8. Consider road closures during smog days while working with Transit Windsor to develop contingency plans. This could help highlight alternatives to the automobile.
9. Implement a program to educate city employees about smog, its effects, and what they can do to reduce their contribution to smog.
10. 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.
11. Promote a corporate smog reduction program and challenge all industries and businesses to sign on.
12. Commit support to the promotion of water taxi services between Windsor and such places as Ohio, western Michigan, and the Lake St. Clair region.
13. Commit to the elimination of truck traffic in the Detroit-Windsor tunnel.
14. 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.)
15. Commit to starting a ferry service between Detroit and Windsor which will help eliminate automobile congestion in the tunnel and streets of Windsor.
16. 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.
17. Suspend gasoline re-fueling (delay essential re-fueling until evening hours) on smog days.

Statements Regarding Air Quality

"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