Tomorrow is Earth Day, and we’re asking where Toronto ranks when it comes to the environment. While an expert at Toronto Environmental Alliance gave the city a passing grade, both he and the mayor say more needs to be done with transit and waste.
Stella Acquisto
CityNews
April 21, 2017
TEA’s Executive Director, Franz Hartmann, spoke with CityNews about Toronto’s environmental progress over the past decade, and where we stand today. In regards to air pollution, Hartmann says we are making progress: “Ten years ago, we used to have a whole number of smog days...Thankfully they shut down the coal fired generating stations and our air is a lot cleaner today.”
Hartmann emphasizes that “the best way to clean city air and reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to give your car a rest and get on your bike, walk, or take the TTC,” as a key source of Toronto’s air pollution today comes from car emissions.
While Toronto has made progress on air quality, both Hartmann and Mayor John Tory agree that more action needs to be taken in regards to waste diversion and reduction. “We need to reduce the amount of stuff that we send out to landfills,” Hartmann explains, and Mayor Tory acknowledges that the city has not met its waste diversion targets.
“The best way to clean the air and reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to give your car a rest and get on your bike, walk, or take the TTC”
“Because we no longer spray pesticides all over the place, you see a lot of wildlife coming back...that ten years ago was not there.” “We need to reduce the amount of stuff that we send out to landfills”