Table of Contents 6 2012 OVATION Awards Winning Entries

exposure. 7 Data released by the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) shows that air pollution is a
contributing factor in almost 9,500 premature deaths per year in Ontario. 8 The OMA also estimated that
there would be 336 premature smog deaths in Halton in 2008. Additionally, “(C)limate change is
increasing the burden of climate‐sensitive health determinants and outcomes worldwide…Children are
particularly vulnerable to these health outcomes because of their potentially greater exposures, greater
sensitivity to certain exposures, and their dependence on caregivers.” 9
Research: To help guide communications, the communications specialist worked with HRHD to better
understand current awareness levels. Health Canada reported in 2001 that 53 per cent felt air pollution
affected their health a great deal. 10 In a survey we commissioned from Environics in April 2009 11 , when
asked whether they strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree that air
quality has an impact on the health of Halton residents, 94 per cent of respondents indicated that they
strongly agreed or agreed. While residents now recognize and acknowledge that air pollution has a
significant impact on health, few are taking action to mitigate its effects. Locally:
50 per cent (+ 4 %) of Halton adults 18 and older think that outdoor air quality has a somewhat or
very negative effect on the health of people living in Halton Region. 12
27 per cent (+ 3 %) of Halton adults 18 and older have made changes to their normal daily activities
in the past 12 months because they thought that outdoor air quality could affect their health. 13
In terms of the environment, a recent study 14 suggests that there is a lack of environmental science
knowledge among people of all ages. By introducing young children to basic concepts in the places they
live, picture books can create an impact on how they will view and respect the natural world as adults.
Developmentally appropriate and scientifically accurate literature can be an effective tool to help
children understand their place in and connections to the natural world. They can demonstrate
meaningful concepts, represent the world a child is coming to know and be a unique way to raise
environmental awareness with adult target audiences. Reading with children provides an opening to
discussions about the importance of caring for their world—as it is not always easy to convey such ‘big
picture’ concepts as global footprints and greenhouse gas emissions to young minds. As the examples
below illustrate, children’s books with environmental themes can introduce issues in an entertaining
and approachable way. Stories are wonderful teaching tools and a powerful force in children’s language
and literacy development.
Examples: Sandy’s Incredible Shrinking Footprint by Femida Handy & Carole Carpenter, Will Jellyfish Rule
the World, by Leo Hickman, The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, Uno’s Garden by Graeme Base, and Where the Forest
Meets the Sea, by Jeannie Baker
7 http://www.cma.ca/index.cfm?ci_id=10042903&la_id=1
8 Ontario’s Doctors: Thousands of Premature Deaths due to Smog
https://www.oma.org/Mediaroom/PressReleases/Pages/PrematureDeaths.aspx
9
Climate change and children. www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031395507000193
10
www.hc‐sc.gc.ca/ewh‐semt/pubs/air/pollution/health‐sante‐eng.php#6_1 (Environics – 2002: Air Pollution ‐ Information Needs and the
Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour of Canadians ‐ Final Report)
11 Focus GTA Survey 2009 – Region of Halton
12 2007 Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS) – Halton Region
13 2007 Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS) – Halton Region
14 Most Americans Lack Basic Knowledge of Climate Issues, Study Finds, e360 digest, Oct 2010. http://bit.ly/bTXc1O