Gasonic at the Calgary Mayor's Environment Expo 2022

After two years in virtual format, the Calgary Mayor’s Environment Expo 2022 will be in a hybrid format, with online and in-person sessions, starting next May 30. I like to attend representing Gasonic as an exhibitor every year, because one of the most powerful tools we have to drive the change we need to have cleaner air is education. And what better way to start than educating our youth?

In a few years, our children will take the reins of the city, and we adults have the responsibility today to provide the knowledge and awareness they need. We can inspire them to take their environmental actions beyond the classroom to shape a greener, healthier tomorrow for Calgarians.

I would like to use this week’s blog to share some of what Gasonic will be presenting to students attending the Mayor’s Environment Expo 2022.

Gasonic’s Exhibit at the Mayor’s Environment Expo

The main theme of Gasonic’s exhibit is car idling, since this habit is one of the biggest environmental issues we’re facing in Calgary. We at Gasonic believe that reducing idling is key to reducing air pollution and preventing all of the health problems that come with it.

We want to bring our educational efforts to reduce car idling to all Calgarians, and students are no exception. They can have a big influence over the actions of the adults in their life. Here’s the sneak peek of what kids attending the Mayor’s Environment Expo will see and learn at our exhibit:

Reduction of Idling Cars Is Key For Cleaner Air

The fastest and easiest way to reduce air pollution is to reduce car idling. I’ll be teaching the students what idling means, and how they can be agents of change by simply reminding their parents and other adults at their school not to idle.

Electric Vehicles and Other Transportation Alternatives

Another proven way to reduce air pollution is that more people start choosing greener transportation alternatives, such as electric vehicles. One of the key facts I’ll be talking about is that, unlike gas powered cars, EVs don’t need a tailpipe to emit internal combustion waste to the atmosphere, hence helping reduce air pollution dramatically: Even just one EV on the streets can save more than a million grams of CO2.

I’ll also have my Tesla and my eBike on site for children to see first-hand how these vehicles look, how they are made and work, and the benefits of these vehicles for the environment.

I’ll also address the main objections against electric vehicles. Although it is true that EVs production is more carbon intensive than that of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, due to the fact that EVs batteries are made of lithium and cobalt, which extraction produces pollution and waste, they’re still greener in the long run.

EV manufacturing emissions are offset between 6 to 16 months of the vehicles being on the road. On the other hand, a regular passenger ICE vehicle produces an average of 4.6 metric tons of CO every year it stays in circulation.

I’m aware that owning an EV is not a possibility for everyone just yet, that’s why I will also talk about hybrid vehicles as a more affordable option that also helps to reduce air pollution.

More Green Choices to Get Around Calgary

Luckily, there are more transportation options available that contribute to a greener environment: walking, biking, and shared transport options, such as public transit. Students need to see these options highlighted because they are a win/win: not only are they better for the environment, they also promote a more active lifestyle.

Everyone Can Contribute to Cleaner Air in Calgary

The main lesson I want the kids attending the Mayor’s Environment Expo to learn is that all of us have the power to do something to enjoy a greener and safer city, and that their actions matter. There are many options to help reduce car idling and air pollution in Calgary, and that if everyone contributes by doing what they can, change is possible.