The Edmonton Sun

Canada’s elderly population is expected to double in the next 25 years and will be especially hard-hit by the dire effects of climate change, warns a sprawling study by Health Canada.

Reuters

Olympic host city Beijing was shrouded in haze on Monday 11 days before the Games begin, raising anxieties about whether it can deliver the clean skies promised for the world’s top athletes.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency is considering whether to modify the federal health standard for smog. “The EPA has said, based on various studies, cutting smog to 75 from 80 parts per billion would prevent between 900 and 1,100 premature deaths a year and lead to 1,400 fewer nonfatal heart attacks and 5,600 fewer hospital or emergency room visits.”

Globe and Mail

A new multi-million dollar program offers taxpayers a major rebate for trading in pre-1995 model cars and purchasing new, more fuel efficient models.

As the effects of La Nina wear off, Asian countries will likely experience hot and dry spells. This change in weather pattern will also increase smog from forest fires.

A climate projection model for Ontario predicts an average winter temperature of 2C to 3C as early as 2071, compared to -1C to -2C, what we see today. Summer temperatures may climb from 21C up to 25C or 26C. This trend is likely to occur if we don’t do anything to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

The warming trend can lead to “more smog days and the spread of Lyme disease-carrying ticks, currently kept at bay by cold winters.”

Beijing has taken millions of cars off the road in an attempt to test if air quality can be improved in preparation for the 2008 Olympics. After the forth day of testing, the city reports that it has seen four “blue-sky days.” However, some are still skeptical.

On the annual Smog Report Card, Toronto scored a C+, a grade lower than what Toronto was on track for if clean-air initiatives were not stalled.

Milan’s “EcoPass” is a one-year trial program aimed at charging drivers with a “pollution charge” to enter Milan’s city centre in order to cut smog.