Mississauga residents urged to take a walk or plant a tree to keep the skies blue

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Published September 7, 2021 at 3:16 pm

The City of Mississauga is encouraging people to leave their cars at home when they can and instead walk, cycle or take public transit to their destination. 

Their efforts are part of International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2019 and first marked on Sept. 7, 2020.  

The theme for this year, amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, is “Healthy Air, Healthy Planet.” 

Mississauga officials, who note it would take 900 mature trees to absorb the carbon dioxide produced by driving the average car for one year, also suggest people plant native trees and shrubs, or consider a zero-emissions vehicle to help the effort. 

The day, facilitated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), aims to create awareness about the significance of air quality, which is essential to all living things on the planet. It welcomes participation from government organizations and others around the world each year, in addition to participation from individuals and small groups. 

Air pollution adversely affects the earth’s biodiversity, climate and ecosystems, which in turn negatively impact the lives of human beings, UNEP officials say. Pollution of the world’s natural resources, caused to a large extent by industrialization, has led to millions of premature deaths and severe health disorders. 

 

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