U.S. environmental research has ties to northern Ontario

The Vale Living with Lakes Centre in Sudbury hosted the 2022 Watershed Lecture on Friday.

A lead researcher and environmental engineer from the United States was the guest professor leading the learning session with a focus on air pollution and the health of northern forests.

Officials with Laurentian University said Charles Driscoll is recognized as a pioneer and expert in acid rain and air pollution research. He provided an update on long-term research into northern hardwood forests of eastern North America.

"Well, the forest is critical for us, right? Because, generally, our water supplies come from forested systems. We use forest resources for wood, maple syrup, all sorts of things. So it's really critical that we protect our forest resources," Driscoll, a researcher with Syracuse University, said.

Officials at Laurentian University confirmed the research being done in the United States has strong ties to northern Ontario.

"The links are clear between Sudbury and the U.S in the clean air debate. The Sudbury example was often brought up in the U.S Congress that we can't share a common atmosphere if a major polluter is still operating and the change in Sudbury was instrumental in decisions around clean air in North America," said John Gunn, the director of the Living With Lakes Centre.

Driscoll said research is showing major improvements in acid rain falling.

"It's gone way, way down and so it's been a real success story. So with air pollution controls and decarbonisation policies or economic conditions, we are transitioning away from coal more and more towards renewables," he said.

Adding, the great reductions in air pollution are not only improving the ecosystem, but have also shown benefits in human health with less respiratory and heart disease.