- The City of Pickering partnered with LEAF and the Region of Durham to bring residents a subsidized Backyard Tree Planting program. Experts will help you select the right trees and planting locations,while also providing the option of full-service tree planting to help ensure long-term survival.
- developed a Community Energy Plan in collaboration with the Region of Durham, utilities, and all eight municipalities within the region
- replaced inefficient City vehicles with hybrid-electric and right-sized options
- adopted greenhouse gas emission targets initially through the Partners for Climate Protection program, and most recently in the City's Corporate Energy Management Plan
- developed Sustainable Development Standards for all new development in Pickering, to ensure new developments are designed for enhanced pedestrian connections and accessibility
- promoting the revitalization and intensification of the City Centre. Recent amendments to the Official Plan promote many sustainability components including improving transit access and connectivity, cycling and pedestrian networks, and construction of small district energy systems
participated in numerous Smart Commute Durham events and programs, such as Clean Air Commute, Bike to Work Day and Walktober- established carpool program for staff
- completed an Urban Forest Study
- adopted an Idling of Vehicles By-law (6297/04)
- member of the GTA Clean Air Council
Air Quality
Why is air quality important?
Every day the average adult breathes between 15,000 to 20,000 litres of air. Indoor and outdoor air contains nitrogen, oxygen, argon and carbon dioxide, as well as small amounts of other gases and chemicals, some of which are harmful to us. Harmful pollutants include ground level ozone, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphates, nitrates, particulate matter and toxic metals. Although some pollutants are a result of naturally occurring activities, most are the result of human uses such as industries, vehicle emissions and household cleaning products.
Seniors, children and those with health conditions are the most susceptible to the effects of poor air quality.
Learn what the City of Pickering is doing to help air quality.
What are some of the actions the City is undertaking to improve air quality?
Take Action - Simple Ways You Can Help Air Quality
ecoENERGY for Personal Vehicles
Do you own a personal vehicle? Learn how to save money, use less fuel, and protect the environment on this website.
Become a member of Smart Commute Durham
Smart Commute Durham helps local employers and commuters explore and promote different commuter choices, such as carpooling, teleworking, transit, cycling, walking or flexible work hours.
Mow Down Pollution Program
This program rewards people for relinquishing old gas lawnmowers, string trimmers, hedge trimmers or chainsaws by providing rebates on new cleaner ones and recycles old mowers responsibly.
Simple Actions to Reduce Air Pollution
We've compiled a list of simple actions that you can do to reduce air pollution.
Pickering's Eco Kids
Things Kids Can Do for the Air We Breathe
This website has information about smog and tips for kids to help keep the air clean.
Calculate your Carbon Footprint
By measuring our carbon footprint, we can learn how we are contributing to this rise in atmospheric CO2 and how we might use energy more efficiently.
Ontario Active School Travel
Join the Active School movement and get your kids involved in walking and wheeling to school! This will help them get active and reduce the amount of pollution that goes into the air from cars.
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