TORONTO, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - June 8, 2005) -
New awaire campaign encourages people to make the right choices to improve air quality
Jim Schultz, President of Enbridge Gas Distribution (Enbridge) and Manu Malkani, President & CEO of The Lung Association announced today that their organizations have launched a new public awareness campaign called awaire.
Sponsored by Enbridge, awaire will encourage Ontarians to be aware of the air and to make choices in their everyday activities that will help reduce air pollution and thus improve air quality.
"We are honoured to be working with The Lung Association on this important initiative," said Jim Schultz. "At Enbridge we believe that industry, consumers and governments must all be part of the solution to the air pollution problem. We hope that this program will help educate Ontarians on the importance of modifying everyday actions like driving a car or running an air conditioner to help improve air quality. Together with The Lung Association we want to encourage consumers to make decisions that will help us all breathe better together."
Manu Malkani of The Lung Association said that as the leading advocate for lung health in Canada, his organization was pleased to work with Enbridge to support the awaire program. "Air pollution is a real threat to the lung health of all Ontarians but especially to the elderly, the young and people with respiratory problems. Every little bit helps in our effort to improve air quality. If all of us started making some 'air-friendly' decisions we could help reduce the severity of smog and reduce the cost of air pollution to our health care system."
In its inaugural year, awaire will be encouraging Ontarians to choose to take transit, bike or walk rather than taking a car, to beat the heat by closing their blinds and turning down the air conditioner, to use energy efficient appliances and products and to practice the three "R's".
"Enbridge has been a long-time supporter of clean air through our own business practices and our sponsorship of events like the Smog Summit and Pollution Probe's Clean Air Commute," said Jim Schultz. "During the past ten years, our energy efficiency programs have kept 3.4 million tonnes of CO2 emissions out of the atmosphere, which is the equivalent of taking 750,000 cars off the road. The awaire program is another example of our commitment to help all Ontarians breathe better together. "
In the coming months Enbridge and The Lung Association will promote awaire through a number of channels including the community events in which Enbridge participates, a newsletter that is sent to more than 1.7 million Enbridge customers, and information to The Lung Association donors and members. Visit www.enbridge.com/awaire for more information.
A photo relating to this press release will be available later today via CCNMatthew's Multimedia Service, PixPlus: http://www.ccnmatthews.com/news/mmlib/index.jsp
About Enbridge Gas Distribution
Enbridge Gas Distribution has a more than 155-year history and is Canada's largest natural gas distribution company. It delivers safe, reliable natural gas to about 1.7 million customers in many Ontario communities. Enbridge Gas Distribution is a leader in promoting energy efficiency programs. Enbridge Gas Distribution distributes gas in New York State through St. Lawrence Gas, in New Brunswick through Enbridge Gas New Brunswick and is affiliated with Gazifere in southwestern Quebec. Enbridge Gas Distribution is owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution.
About The Lung Association
The Lung Association is a registered charity that provides information and funding for research to improve lung health. The Lung Association focuses on prevention and control of asthma, chronic lung disease, tobacco cessation and prevention, air quality and its effects on lung health. For more information on lung health, call The Lung Association toll-free at 1-888-566-5864 (LUNG) or visit www.on.lung.ca.
For more information please contact:
Enbridge Gas Distribution
Lisa McCarney-Warus
Media Relations
(416) 495-5662
Email: lisa.mccarney@enbridge.com
Website: www.enbridge.com
or
The Lung Association
Avril Henry
PR Manager
(416) 864-9911 ext 257
Email: ahenry@on.lung.ca
Website: www.on.lung.ca
