The Holiday Effect: A Natural Experiment to Understand Anthropogenic Emission Sources and Reduction

“This is my second summer as an undergraduate researcher with SOCAAR – the Southern Ontario Centre for Atmospheric Aerosol Research. As a continuation of my project from last year, I am investigating a phenomenon known as the ‘Holiday Effect’, which measures anthropogenic emission changes during various holiday seasons. Specifically, I am interested in conducting an analysis of nitrogen oxides (NOx) during the winter break. An additional avenue of my research is to compare methodology in determining a consistently effective approach to calculate emission change percentages. As a novel area of study and one that has yet to be well-researched in Canada, let alone, North America, the aim of my research is to provide insight into the impact travel and traffic pollutants produce.”