To measure how “well off” we are, we generally rely on the economic growth statistics. But …..

Genuine Progress Index for Atlantic CanadaIndice de progrès véritable - AtlantiqueThe Ambient Air Quality Accountsfor theNova Scotia Genuine Progress IndexAnne Monette, MES and Ronald Colman, PhDJanuary 21, 2004

To measure how “well off” we are, we generally rely on the economic growth statistics. But….. These measures take no account of the value of our natural, human, and social assets: The quality of our environment, the health of our natural resources, the health and education of our people, the strength and safety of our communities count for nothing in our GDP-based measures of progress

“The more the economy grows, the better off we are = the wrong message? • Crime, sickness, pollution, natural disasters (Juan), resource depletion make economy grow • GDP can grow as poverty and inequality increase. • More work hours / stress make economy grow; free time has no value. • GDP ignores work that contributes directly to wellbeing (volunteers, work in home).

We Need Better Indicators of Progress and Wellbeing. In the GPI….. • Health, livelihood security, natural resources, free time, unpaid work, & education have value • Sickness, crime, disasters, pollution are costs • Reductions in crime, poverty, greenhouse gases, ecological footprint are progress = less is sometimes better! • Growing equity signals progress

Air Quality and theGenuine Progress Index • The atmosphere supports the lives and activities of humans & millions of species of plants and animals: – Therefore clean air is explicitly valued in the GPI. Without it, health, lives, wellbeing are compromised – now and in future • Therefore reduction in air pollution and improvement in air quality are key indicators of genuine progress in GPI • The damages caused by air pollution are counted as costs to the economy

Impacts of Air Pollution • Health: More Canadians die and are admitted to hospital for heart and lung problems on days with elevated levels of air pollution than on days when the air quality is better • Air pollution causes damages to agriculture crops (reduced yields), forests, and materials • Acid deposition (acid rain) damages lakes, rivers, wetlands, forests; and kills fish • Poor visibility

Air Pollutants – 2 issues:CAC concentrations & emissions • Carbon monoxide (CO) • Total Particulate Matter (TPM or PM) • Sulphur Oxides (SOx), incl. sulphur dioxide (SO2) • Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), incl. nitrogen dioxide (NO2) • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) • Ground-level ozone Costs of damages caused by emissions of these pollutants are also examined

Air Quality in Nova Scotia • CO, PM, SO2, and NO2 concentrations have shown dramatic declines since the 1970s • Ground-level ozone - no improvement in 15 years – still above maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) – highest in Canada • Some lakes, rivers, wetlands continue to receive twice as much acid deposition as they can tolerate without suffering long-term damage

Significant Improvements (esp. Sydney since coke ovens closed): • CO concentrations decreased by 63% (Halifax) (1977-2001) • PM concentrations decreased by 53% (Halifax) to 79% (Sydney) (1974-2001) • SO2 concentrations decreased by 74% (Halifax) to 96% (Sydney) (1974-2001) • NO2 concentrations decreased by 20% (Halifax) (1976-2001)

Major air quality problem in NS = Ground-level ozone • Highest ozone level in Canada in 2001 occurred at Aylesford Mountain, King’s County • Ground-level ozone concentrations at Kejimkujik National Park increased by 21% (1992-2001) • Ozone levels at these sites are 2x + MAC • Since there are no significant local sources of ozone precursors, these sites indicate extent of trans-boundary flows of pollutants

High ozone exposure linked to: • increased respiratory illness • decreased lung function & exercise capacity • exacerbation of cardiovascular and respiratory disease (eg, asthma) • increased hospital admissions, doctor’s office visits and emergency room visits • premature mortality due to cardiovascular and respiratory illness

High ozone concentrations also cause damage to: • Agricultural crops – reduced yields • Biodiversity through effects on interspecies competition in freshwaters • Forests - crown dieback, foliar damage, reduced biomass, elevated tree mortality • Materials

Air Quality in Nova Scotia compared to Canada • Halifax CO and NO2concentrations lower than at Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver sites • Halifax and Sydney PM concentrations lower than Montreal, Ottawa, Hamilton, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Calgary sites • BUT - Halifax had highest concentration of SO2 of any commercial site in Canada –2 to 12 times other sites

Emissions: NS and Canada are among world’s worst polluters • Canada’s and NS’s per capita emissions of CO, PM, SOx, and VOCs = higher than those of all OECD countries; NOx = third highest • Per capita, Alberta and Saskatchewan have highest emissions in Canada, Ontario and Quebec have lowest. • NS near national CO, NOx and VOCs averages, but TPM was 24% higher and SOx were 2x higher

Per Capita Emissions of Sulphur Oxides (kg/capita), Selected OECD Countries (1997 and comparable years)

Damage Costs of Nova Scotia’s Air Pollutant Emissions • 2002: $529 million $566 per Nova Scotian • 1990-1999: $5.7 billion $6,181 per Nova Scotian • 1970-2009: $24 billion $27,262 per Nova Scotian

Damage Costs of NS Emissions by Pollutant, 2002 ($millions)

Largest Sources of Pollutant Damage Costs, 2002 • 67% of total damage costs attributable to Nova Scotia’s emissions of criteria air contaminants are from three sources: • non-industrial fuel combustion • industrial • transportation

Largest Sources of Damage Costs, 2002 ($ millions)

SOx = highest damage costs • SOx, which contributes to acid rain = 40-50% ofdamages caused by NS air pollutant emissions • NS emits more SOx from electric power generation (135kt) than any other province = 25% of Canada’s SOx emissions from electric power generation (534kt) = 145kg/capita, more than 8 times the Canadian average • 60% of NS electric power generation relies on coal

To measure how “well off” we are, we generally rely on the economic growth statistics. But …..