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What else can I do? 20/20 The Way to Clean Air Program
What else can I do?
While the Air Quality Health Index can help to protect our health, it also serves as a reminder of the need to reduce our energy use. Poor air quality especially affects the life of a child with asthma, the elderly, or someone with heart or breathing problems. Consider joining thousands of households across the GTA who have committed to reducing energy use by participating in the
20/20 The Way to Clean Air Program.
20/20 The Way to Clean Air Program
20/20 The Way to Clean Air motivates residents to do their part to reduce energy use by building their awareness of the connection between energy use, air pollution, climate change and public health.
The goal of the program is to assist residents in reducing emissions by reducing home energy use and vehicle use by 20%.
20/20 provides participants with tools and resources to help achieve 20 per cent reductions in home energy use and vehicle use including a free 20/20 Planner – a practical step-by-step guide to reducing energy use at home and on the road.
In 2006, 20/20 reached approximately 12,000 GTA households and participants achieved average reductions of 25% in home energy use, and 19% in vehicle kilometres driven.
The program is delivered by public health units in
20/20 reaches individuals through: advertising, workplaces, schools, community organizations, neighbourhood events, and local energy distribution companies.
20/20 and Workplaces
20/20 brings energy conservation tools to employees. Program components include guidance for the workplace coordinator, a recruitment toolkit, lunch and learn sessions and open house events.
The benefits to workplaces include reduced office energy use and recognition for environmental responsibility. In addition, participating companies also provides their employees with resources to help them reduce energy use at home.
Workplaces that have the most success with reducing energy use are the organizations that appoint a part-time on-site coordinator to work with 20/20 and its partners to recruit participants and offer assistance in reaching their goals.
What make a good 20/20 Workplace? Workplaces that/in:
- have existing corporate clean air, environmental, sustainability or wellness initiatives
- are interested in 'greening' their image
- have parking problems
- the energy business
- have over 100 employees
20/20 and Schools
Delivering the energy conservation curriculum through 20/20 The Way to Clean Air helps students and their families fight air pollution and climate change.
In 2004, 20/20 partnered with the province-wide EcoSchools initiative to bring 20/20 resources to schools, teachers, students and their families across the GTA and beyond. 20/20 extends the "energy conservation" component of EcoSchools into homes of students by inviting families to participate in the energy savings activities outlined in the 20/20 EcoSchools Planner. Principals and teachers can register their classroom for the 20/20 EcoSchools program and teachers can order or download the free 20/20 EcoSchools Planner for each student in his/her classroom.
20/20 and the Community
20/20 community outreach reaches a broad range of neighbourhoods and communities in the GTA through the development of partnerships with local community groups and attendance at community events.
20/20 community outreach engages local communities in activities to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Clean Air Partnership provides resources, guidance and leadership to enable community groups across the GTA, to organize and deliver the 20/20 campaign, in a format and language best suited to the individual neighbourhoods or community.
· expert home energy advice from one of 20/20's non-profit partners, Windfall Ecology Centre to improve energy efficiency levels in the home. Windfall Ecology Centre conducts home energy audits using the EnerGuide for Houses program. For more information on Windfall Ecology Centre's EnerGuide for Houses energy audit program please link to www.windfallcentre.ca
· Water for Tomorrow's Water Efficiency Program in
For more information on the Clean Air Partnership or any of the programs they provide, please contact:
Call the 20/20 hotline at 416-392-2020 (toll free 1-866-583-2020) for a free copy of the Planner or visit www.cleanairpartnership.org/2020
20/20 partners with other related programs such as the Clean Air and Environment Guide to provide information on energy efficient appliances, vehicles, home heating and cooling equipment. For a copy of the Clean Air and Environment Guide please link to www.cleanairpartnership.org/clean_air_environment_guide
York Region Community and Health Services also helps participants reach their 20% vehicle reduction goals by finding alternatives to driving alone. The following are examples of some of the available options for York Region residents:
· School Transportation Options: Green Communities Active and Safe Routes to School www.saferoutestoschool.ca/
· Metrolinx's Smart Commute program: www.smartcommute.ca/
· Public Transit: