The federal government this week announced spending of almost $110 million to combat urban smog caused by conventional automobile emissions, promising support for research on hydrogen-powered fuel-cell technology and the marketing of automobiles with low pollution.

York University is one of the most significant traffic generators in the Greater Toronto Area, parking more than 30,000 cars on peak days, but where efficient transit connections are available, members of the community have demonstrated a willingness to switch to public transit. About 30 per cent of York commuters currently ride the TTC. The university is advocating an extension of the Spadina subway line from Downsview Station through York’s Keele campus to a proposed commuter bus and parking facility in York Region on the north side of Steeles Ave.

York University established its own presidential Task Force on Sustainability in 1999 and is an active member of the Black Creek Regional Transportation Management Association (BCRTMA), which is working to encourage commuter use of public transit, car pools and other environmentally friendly transport options.

"FES challenges faculty, staff and students at York to participate in Clean Air Commute Week by finding a cleaner transportation alternative for the week of June 25-29," said Suna Bayrakal, a PhD candidate in environmental studies and coordinator of the seminar and the week’s events. "We need to raise awareness about the risks of smog to human health."

Feel Good Cars Marketing Vice-President Marek Warunkiewicz will be on hand to answer questions about the new automobile, which is fully electric, unlike the hybrid-powered vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight. Sara Climenhaga from the BCRTMA will discuss other sustainable transportation options. The seminar takes place from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in room 306, Lumbers Building, York University, Keele Campus, 4700 Keele St.

York University is one of the few universities in the world with an entire faculty devoted to environmental studies. York’s FES has been at the leading edge of teaching and research for the past 30 years in all aspects of natural, built, and social environments. Sustainable transportation is a key concern of the York Centre for Applied Sustainability (YCAS), an FES-affiliated research unit. YCAS projects include investigation of transportation-related climate change, car culture and children, and the integration of new technologies to improve understanding of commuting behaviour. YCAS is also reviewing a proposed collaboration to establish a national Centre of Excellence with sustainable transportation as a core issue.

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