\uto pollution ruining Fraser Valley crops, scientists claim

MARGARET MUNRO
a Science Reporter
lotor vehicle pollution wafting out of the
wer Mainland is destroying 10 per cent of
ps in the Fraser Valley ata cost of about
§ million each year, government and uni-
‘sity scientists told city hall's committee on
sospheri¢c change Monday,
‘hey urged the city and regional govern-
nt to limit the use of motor vehicles in the
ver Mainland, saying, among other reasons,
could clean up the local air avd reduce the
cat of global warming.
s recent University of B.C. study on the
«tof Lower Mainland pollution on Fraser
ley crops shows ozone pollution blowing
of the Lower Mainland damages 10 per
itof Freser Valley crops at an estimated
tof $8.8 million annually, said Eric Taylor,

a meteorologist with Environment Canada.

Such ground-level ozone is created when
nitric oxides and hydrocarbons in motor vehi-
cle exhaust react in sunlight.

Reining in the automobile would not only
reduce such ozone pollution but would also cut
the amount of exhaust sulphur dioxide, carbon
monoxide and suspended particles that “com-
promise health,” Taylor said.

it would also cut production of carbon diox-
ide, released by burning fossil fuels, wood
products and garbage, which is known to be
changing the chemistry of the earth's atmo-
sphere and ts associated with global warm-
ing,

Motor vehictes, which preduce between 50
and 80 per cent of the air poliution in urban
areas, are a Jeading source of carbon dioxide
pollution in the Lower Mainland.

While Taylor said there is scientific uncer-
tainty as to carbon dioxide’s influence on
global warming. he argued reducing automo-
bile use and improving energy efficiency
“makes good economic sense” regardless.

Along with reducing smog, Taylor said less
traffic would lower costs fur constructing and
maintaining the region's network of roadways,
bridges ang parking facilities.

He said eurtailing private vehicle use would.
also reduce operating and maintenance costs
for car owners.

Atmospheric scientist Douw Steyn of the
University of B.C. agreed. saying the true cost
of motor vehicle use is not widely recognized.
Hie also pointed to the 10-per-cent crop loss in
the Fraser Valley, saying “the cost gets lost
because farmers aren't very organized.”

Steyn and colleague Timothy Oke told the

committee the city and regional governme
should follow Toronto's lead and adopt a 6
get of reducing Lower Mainland carbon dic
ide emissions by 20 per cent within 15 year

The UBC scientists say the target could-
met through a combination of public edu
tion programs, tougher pollution regulatia
and enforcement, energy conservation p1
grams and leadership. .

People must stop trying to protect the stal
quo and start thinking of the opportunities
clean up — through development of ener.
conserving technologies, alternative forms
energy and improved public transportatic
Steyn said in an interview.

He also sees significant opportunities awa
ing mechanics and garages willing to impro

Please see CLEANUP, B8