The Air: A big step for air quality

The Quebec Association against air pollution (AQLPA) and its program partners The Air! / RYR advantage of the Clean Air Day to thank the 20,000 Quebecois who recycle their old vehicles in the last 12 months. Thanks to them, the huge environmental gains have been made possible and what is the Quebec already breathing better.

The equivalent of 380,000 vehicles off the road in

According to Environment Canada, the vehicles of model 1995 and before produce 19 times more air pollution than vehicles manufactured from the year 2004. A Kilometers equal, removing 20,000 cars from the years 1995 and older is equivalent to removing 380,000 cars from 2004 or more recent. "But according to recent analyzes of Air Care has been testing vehicles off the road through the program in British Columbia, the average levels of smog-forming emissions of vehicles would be withdrawn at least 32 times more students as those of vehicles of 2004 or more recent "says Andre has Belisle, president of AQLPA. If old vehicles are more polluting, is that they were built before tightening emission standards and the arrival of cleaner technologies. "Over a longer aging vehicle emission performance deteriorates. This is particularly true because, unlike many states and provinces, Quebec does not possess yet Inspection Program and mandatory maintenance of motor vehicles" , says Belisle.

Substantial environmental gains

Replacement of 20,000 old vehicles with more recent vehicles or a variety of other means of displacement such as public transport, car-sharing and active transportation, has contributed to a marked improvement in the quality of the air and the fight against climate change. In after conservative calculations, the accelerated withdrawal of these vehicles helped reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by nearly 500 tons and nitrogen oxide (NOx) by more than 200 tonnes. Both pollutants contribute to the formation of tropospheric ozone, a respiratory irritant and a major component of smog. The air quality is a determinant of health that generates considerable costs and pressures to our health care system (1). A proof each year in Quebec, the National Institute of Public Health estimates that nearly 2,000 premature deaths and countless cardio-respiratory ailments are due to poor air quality.

The program has also helped to ensure the ecological recovery of 13,600 tons of metal, 380,000 liters of liquids (gasoline, oil, etc..) And more than 2.50 kg of mercury, an extremely toxic contaminant. Poured into water, the amount of mercury is enough to contaminate the equivalent of 450,000 Olympic swimming pools.

Fight against climate change

Thanks to the participants who chose the public and active transportation, The Air! has a real reduction of at least 6,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction that persists over time. In fact, according to surveys of participants has more than two-thirds of participants automobile recycling programs, choosing public transport have said they will continue to use it after the expiration of their passes. There is therefore no doubt that the program proves an effective tool to promote modal shift and the fight against climate change. "To succeed in reducing our GHG emissions by at least 20% by 2020 in Quebec compared to 1990, we will need a contribution the transport sector two concurrent ways: via a modal shift to public transport and assets, which means fewer cars and less mileage done by each and better energy performance of cars on the road, "stated Mr. Michel Labrecque, Chairman of the STM. "The automobile is an essential component of the Quebec mobility. One of our challenges is precisely to integrate it into the Transportation Cocktail and make solo driving for all displacements, of all people, all time decreases significantly over the next decade, "he says Labrecque.

"Like all modes of transport are responsible for over 40% of emissions of greenhouse gas emissions, we can only encourage the efforts doomed to reduce them. Take The program looks!'s A great initiative and a great way to remove the most polluting cars off the road, but it's also a great way to see the benefits of public transit and cause some people to change their behavior to their movements "has said Pierre-Luc Paquette, Vice President Communications and Marketing AMT.

New partners - More rewards for all tastes

Thanks to its solid network of partners, The Air! offers a host of awards to participants who recycle their old vehicle. Very recently, the Company de transport de Sherbrooke and the Societe de Transport de Trois-Rivieres joined the movement also offering 15 months of free transit to their citizens who abandon their Ride in favor of public transport. Regarding long distance public transport, the new partnership with Transdev-Limocar Sherbrooke offers participants $ 1,200 monthly passes or ticket booklets on Montreal-Sherbrooke online.

In exchange for their old vehicle, so participants more choice awards: 15 months free titles transit; Subscription for 3 years Communauto; a credit of up to $ 790 for the purchase of a bicycle, an electric bike; a credit of $ 1,000 for the purchase of an electric moped EVT (scooter), $ 300; etc.. In addition, all participants are entitled to a receipt for tax of $ 55 to $ 100 of the Kidney Foundation of Canada and a discount for a subscription package Lievre Communauto.

Too many clunkers on the road

According to the Society of Auto Insurance Quebec, there would be a little more than 500,000 vehicles of model year 1995 and older registered in Quebec. On this Day of clean air, AQLPA and its partners invite all owners of old ride has to divest while there is still time to enjoy the benefits of the program. To do this, nothing more simple, it is to enroll in www.faitesdelair.org.

About The Air! (Www.faitesdelair.org) / www.aqlpa.com)

The Air! is a program for recycling older polluting vehicles established in Quebec by AQLPA in 2003. Its objective is to contribute to the improvement of the quality of air, fight climate change and to encourage citizens to use more sustainable modes of transport. Since spring 2009, The Air! is the Canadian partner of Retire Your Ride program. Since December 2009, The Air! is financially supported by the Government of Quebec.

About the Retire Your Ride program - www.adieubazou.ca

The government of Canada affects 92 million dollars to the implementation of the RYR to help Canadians to withdraw their old polluting vehicle traffic and encourage them to make sustainable choices in matters of transportation, choices that reduce air pollution and emissions of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Retire Your Ride is broadcast nationally by Summerhill Impact, and supported by a network of regional partners. The program will end March 31, 2011.