Reducing pollution in the air and water from motorboats, vehicles and inefficient heating systems is at the forefront in the battle against climate change.

EnviroLinks Canada, a company based in Orillia, provides solutions to anyone who is concerned with their effects on the environment and is interested in increasing their energy efficiency.

By utilizing old-fashioned, yet cutting-edge technology, EnviroLinks has developed an innovative product that addresses the environmental concerns of consumers, industries and governments within Canada and around the world.

The secret? Magnets, and a good knowledge of physics.

Keith Perry, president of EnviroLinks, has been working in the auto trade for 20 years. He has spent the last four years perfecting the technology that can reduce carbon emissions and improve performance for most things that run on gas, diesel, natural gas, propane and furnace oil.

“Simply put, fuel passed through the magnets undergoes a physical change, reducing the amount of pollutants produced during combustion,” explained Perry. “A cleaner burn is produced and efficiency is increased by 90 per cent.”

Perry said the company did not invent the technology but has perfected it. Magnets were tried a quarter of a century ago but without satisfactory results. The theory was sound, though, and modern materials and technology has seen the theory become reality.

“It has taken us a long time to perfect something that is very simple,” said Perry. “With one of our units, not only are you reducing the pollutants that are spewed into the atmosphere, but you are getting a bigger bang for your buck as less fuel is burned and less oil used.”

Although Perry might have a great understanding of how the technology works and how it will improve the performance of engines and help the environment, the motivation for his work comes a bit closer to home.

“I have a nine-year-old daughter,” he said. “I asked myself what her life would be like in the future if something was not done about pollution. It always keeps me going.”

The work that EnviroLinks is doing is spreading.

Marina Del Rey, just south of Muskoka on Lake Simcoe, joined forces with the company to become Canada’s first EnviroLinks-certified green marina. Marina Del Rey owner Jan Holland was treated to a live demonstration of the product when an old 22-foot Sea Ray with a small block Chevrolet engine had its hydrocarbons reduced from around 500 ppm to almost nothing.

Holland was impressed enough to sign up to help promote the work of EnviroLinks.

“There are so many reasons to certify Marina Del Ray as our first green marine,” said Perry. “Jan understands the environment and what’s happening to it and is passionate about doing his part. Combine those things with residents’ outrage over the state of Lake Simcoe and the decision for Marina Del Rey was really a no-brainer.”

Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop is on board, Bass Pro Shops has been working with the company, and testing has been carried out by the Ontario Provincial Police.

The hard work is still to come.

“Persuading Environment Canada that our technology works is a difficult thing,” added Perry. “It says it has investigated products similar to ours and they are not satisfied with the results. They were looking at very outdated technology, though. We will prove ourselves to them, though. We have got this far; nothing is going to stop us until our technology is in every boat, vehicle and home.”