April 24, 2014 - 10:52 AM
There’s something fresh in the wind today as regional partners make plans to develop a 2014 Clean Air Strategy with residents’ input.
While the vision statement is clear – have clean and healthy air for current and future generations – implementing that vision is hard work.
From April 23 to May 6, Regional Services is looking for input on how residents want to see the government take action to protect air quality. Residents are being asked to share their ideas, comments and interact online.
“This work builds on the existing regional air quality program and will help protect and improve our region’s air through policy and actions, community awareness initiatives and pollution prevention programs,” said Jerry Dombowsky, Regional Programs Manager for Regional Services.
The idea is to build on existing active transportation efforts to encourage walking, biking and using transit to reduce vehicle use and solo car trips. That encouragement extends to support for green buildings and green industry initiatives – all toward the project’s focus on the big picture: what can we do to reduce air pollutants and greenhouse gases to improve air quality for everyone?
Overall, the Clean Air Strategy has three goals: protect the health of citizens and the environment, keep our views clear of smog, and minimize our impact on climate change.
Local governments working toward a plan include the Regional District of Central Okanagan, District of Peachland, City of Kelowna, District of Lake Country, Westbank First Nation and the District of West Kelowna.
Visit kelowna.ca/airquality to find out more about our region’s air quality, comment on our plans to keep our air clean, make suggestions, do your part, and WIN PRIZES!
A final plan will be shared with the public in the fall.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014