On Clean Air Day, the Nunavut Climate Change Secretariat and the Department of Environment’s Environmental Protection Division encourage Nunavummiut to take small steps to reduce emissions and help improve air quality across the territory.
What is Air Pollution?
Air pollution happens when harmful gases and particles are released into the air. These pollutants can come from many sources, including vehicles, heating, and other activities that burn fuel.
Some pollutants, like carbon dioxide (CO₂) and black carbon, can trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to climate change. Others can affect air quality and impact the health of people, animals, and the environment.
Why it matters in Nunavut
Air pollution matters in Nunavut because it can affect both community health and the environment people rely on every day. While Nunavut has relatively clean air compared to the south, air pollution is still a concern.
Many communities rely on diesel for electricity and heating. Burning diesel releases pollutants into the air, which can affect local air quality, especially during colder months when energy use is higher.
Air pollution from outside the territory can also travel long distances and reach the Arctic. Examples of this are when the smoke from forest fires reaches Nunavut. These pollutants can contribute to climate change and impact the land, water, and wildlife that Nunavummiut depend on.
Over time, air pollution can affect respiratory health and reduce overall air quality. Taking steps to reduce emissions helps protect the environment, supports healthier communities, and contributes to a more resilient Nunavut.
What Can You Do?
There are simple ways Nunavummiut can help reduce air pollution across the territory. The Nunavut Climate Change Secretariat encourages starting with actions like:
- Turning off idling vehicles and limiting warm-up time in the winter
- Reducing energy use at home and at work
- Walking or sharing rides when possible
- For recreational bonne fires and wood burning stoves burning only clean, untreated wood.
Nunavummiut who own cabins may also be eligible for the cabin grant program, which provides funding to install off-grid solar energy systems and reduce reliance on diesel.
Working together, small actions can make a big difference. By reducing emissions and making mindful choices, Nunavummiut can help protect the air and support strong, healthy communities across the territory.
Learn more about how Air Pollution is monitored by visiting the Government of Canada’s National Air Pollution Surveillance Program page.