In Montreal, "island life" may take on new meaning this summer, far removed from sandy beaches and palm trees. The urban heat island effect is expected to return with a vengeance, worsening air quality and escalating the risk of heat-related illness or death. Before the first heat wave hits, some neighbourhoods are taking steps to cool down the concrete jungle.
A Montreal commission has published 25 recommendations for Mayor Valérie Plante's administration aimed at reducing carbon emissions from residential and commercial buildings and institutions, which, according to the commission, account for more than 25% of all emissions in the city.
Goodbye, gas guzzlers. Quebec plans to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035 and has presented what it calls its "roadmap" to get there. Draft regulation submitted on January 26 proposes tightening disincentives so that automakers will have to accumulate a certain number of credits from electric or low-emission vehicle sales.