BVCAS sends Petition to Alberta Government

Over the past several months, BVCAS has collected 192 signatures for a petition asking Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach to reduce auto emissions.  This petition has been sent to Premier Ed Stelmach. Copies of the petition and copies of the actual signatures have also been sent to the other Provincial party leaders. 

Support higher Canadian standards for car emissions

Encourage government to adopt California’s Clean Cars law. This new requirement will significantly reduce vehicle emissions, and is becoming the progressive standard in North America.

Why should you do it:

A typical car a late-model mid-sized sedan - driven for 20,000 kilometres a year emits four tones of CO2. Right now, transportation contributes to more than 30 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions.

The potential for fuel efficiency has improved by 50 per cent since the 1970s, the height of the gas-guzzling era. But because there are more cars on the road today than ever before, and many people are driving larger vehicles that are not fuel-efficient, emissions keep rising.

California's Clean Cars law will drive a 30 per cent reduction in carbon emissions from cars by 2016, using only existing and available technology. Canada must proceed in lock-step with California and other progressive states, especially since the Canadian car market is so tightly linked to the US market. Not only will this help our planet, but having access to more fuel-efficient cars can save you a lot of money, especially as gas prices are continually on the rise.

How to do it:

Use your voice to encourage our lawmakers to adopt California's Clean Car standard. Write letters to the Prime Minister and speak to your local government representatives. This is the time to speak up: Canada's outdated vehicle emissions regulations are under review, and voluntary agreements with the auto sector will soon expire. A personal note from you will have greater impact than many form letters or emails. For best effect, make your request for action clear encouraging, and address only one issue. Here are some suggested points you can make:

1. The government's promise to update the fuel efficiency requirements for Canadian cars is welcome and long overdue (some praise and encouragement always helps!).
2. I urge you to adopt the California Clean Car Standard (the request should be clear and emphatic).
3. The new rules put in place by Governor Schwarzenegger are achievable and widely accepted; almost 20 states are adopting them, and nine provinces have endorsed them (provides evidence that it is technically and politically feasible).
4. Please resist pegging Canada's standards to the less efficient US national average; that would put Canada behind the pack in the North American market, damage our ability to fight climate change, burden consumers with higher-than-necessary fuel bills (tell them what you don't want, as well as what you do want).
5. The federal government has the ability and the responsibility to regulate pollution and fuel economy in cars. I urge you to demonstrate strong leadership by passing the California-level emission standards as soon as possible (re-state your request).
6. I look forward to hearing from you (always ask for a response).

A letter to the Prime Minister needs no postage, and should be addressed to:

                                        The Right Honourable Stephen Harper
                                        Prime Minister of Canada
                                        Langevin Block
                                        House of Commons
                                        Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0A6

            Ph. (613) 992-4211 / Fax (613) 941-69oo email: Harper.S@parl.gc.ca

You can also send a copy of the letter to the federal environment minister:

                                        Jim Prentice                                                                                                                               Minister of Environment                                                                            House of Commons
                                        Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0A6

                                         email: Pentice.J@parl.gc.ca

Here is a sample letter which can be sent to the Prime Minister.

To find the name and contact information or your member of Parliament, use this link: http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/HouseOfCommons/MemberByPostalCode.aspx?Menu=HOC

Fight climate change by fighting car emissions

Should you turn off your engine while waiting in a line or in traffic?

Obviously for safety and practical reasons it makes no sense to shut an engine off in traffic that is moving.  But any time one anticipates the vehicle standing still for over five minutes it makes sense, both in terms of fuel and emissions, to shut down the engine.

 Most urban Canadians can purchase a full year's travel on public transit for less than $1,000. Owning and operating a typical car costs almost $7,000 a year.

Other carpooling websites:   http://www.carpoolworld.com   or   http://www.carpool.ca