Air quality talk will include ‘valuation’ of Ajax

NEWS — Is there an economic cost to air pollution?

Dr. Peter Tsigaris, a professor at Thompson Rivers University, will address that question on March 9 in the TRU Clocktower (Alumni) Theatre.

Using data from Kamloops, from Canada, and from around the world, Dr. Tsigaris will analyze the cost of deteriorating air quality in Kamloops, including a “valuation” of potential health impacts resulting from the proposed Ajax mine.

“Our own lifestyle and technology, existing industries, and new projects such as the (proposed) Ajax mine would produce benefits to producers and consumers around the world, but economic activity comes with external/social costs,” said Tsigaris.

The talk is entitled, “What are the possible economic costs of increased air pollution in Kamloops?” and will start at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Tsigaris has presented his research into environmental economics at numerous conferences around the world, and has published extensively.

The TRU Faculty Association’s Human Rights committee and the TRU Eco Club are co-sponsoring the event. Dr. Tom Dickinson, TRU’s Dean of Science, will moderate.

Admission is free of charge. The audience is reminded of the return to daylight saving time that morning.