Clarington Council recognizes the
adverse impacts of smog on human health, the environment,
wildlife, buildings and textiles. Council is also
aware that smog not only impacts larger urban areas
such as the City of Toronto but also smaller and
more rural municipalities such as Clarington.
In response to concerns over smog, (then) Mayor John Mutton
signed the 2003 Inter-governmental Declaration on
Clean Air at the 2003 Smog Summit in Toronto.
Additionally, the Municipality has taken concrete
actions to improve air quality by addressing issues
relating to (i) Transportation,
(ii) Energy, (iii) Business,
Industry and Government, (iv) Natural
and Built Environment and (v) Education
and Research. These initiatives are briefly
summarized below.
TRANSPORTATION
Initiation of Clarington Transit which
linked to Oshawa Transit. Initially 2 buses and
2 routes were implemented; however ridership and
demand warranted a third bus being added to the
system. The system included AM and PM School Specials
and has eliminated many single purpose trips. As of January 2006, this service is provided by Durham Region Transit.
Alternative Modes of Transportation
Promote public transit, cycling and walking
as healthy and environmentally-friendly modes
of transportation in the community.
ENERGY
Energy Efficiency at the Municipal Administrative
Centre (MAC)
The MAC is a state of the art, energy efficient
office complex linked by atrium spaces with a
heritage building. The MAC centre recently opened
the third addition to our historic town hall which
features energy efficient lighting, computerized
control to align heating and cooling with use
patterns, heat recovery from building exhaust
systems and a low ratio of exterior wall space.
The most recent addition houses the public library
and administrative offices.
BUSINESS, INDUSTRY
& GOVERNMENT
Breathe Easy Program
On Smog Alert Days the municipality makes our
community centres and recreation facilities available
to the elderly, young and people experiencing
respiratory problems.
Environmental Convergence.
Clarington supports the efforts of Ontario Power
Generation-OPG (Darlington Nuclear site) in environmental
initiatives. The Municipality and OPG are working
with lakefront neighbours and community partners
to come together and exchange information, network
and determine common goals to further the development
of a wildlife and habitat corridor along Lake
Ontario.
NATURAL & BUILT
ENVIRONMENT
Stewardship Initiatives.
The Municipality is promoting the naturalization
and conservation of floodplain areas within the
municipality through the provision of assistance
and guidance to Valleys 2000 and Samuel Wilmot
Conservation groups. In addition, the municipality
has an active and funded acquisition strategy
for waterfront lands and other natural heritage
areas. In 2003 we intend to develop a new Clarington-wide
stewardship strategy.
Bowmanville/Westside Marsh Wetland Complex.
In partnership with St. Marys Cement and C.L.O.C.A.
the Municipality has been able to acquire a significant
portion of the Bowmanville/Westside Marsh. To
accommodate the St. Mary’s quarry operation
a diversion scheme for the streams feeding the
marsh is being implemented.
Benchmarking of Municipal Practices
Clarington is undertaking an inventory of our
existing policies and operations that could reduce
air pollution. This benchmarking process will
determine where improvements can be made in future
years and include an education/awareness program
for municipal staff.
CLARINGTON’S ONGOING COMMITMENT TO CLEAN
AIR
Aside from taking the above actions to improve
air quality, the Municipality has already done
the following:
Endorsed the Kyoto Protocol (January 14th, 2002)
