Get your opinion on climate action published

Photo: Priscilla Du Preez via Unsplash

Help hold Big Oil accountable for its climate pollution

A letter to the editor is a simple and effective way to raise the important issues in your community.

The editorial pages are among the most-read sections of a newspaper. Research has shown that people’s opinions are more likely to be influenced by their peers and community members than by experts, so your letter can have a real impact.

Share your views and help us reach our goal of 100 published letters to the editor, with at least one from each province and territory.

Here are some suggested speaking points for your letter:
Mix and match these or create your own, but remember — this goes to editors of local media outlets, not to politicians. 

  • Introduce yourself (i.e., I’m a mother, student, Indigenous person, engineer, scientist, new Canadian, etc.).
  • Explain how you feel about the climate and/or affordability crises. You can complete any of the following sentences, or come up with your own:
    • I am concerned about the rising cost of living because…
    • I am concerned about climate change because…
    • I believe it’s critical to address both the climate and affordability crises because…
    • I expect our governments to take bold action to address both the climate and affordability crises because…
    • I was personally affected by climate change and/or rising cost of living when…
  • As many people throughout Canada (and the world) grapple with concurrent affordability and climate crises, the good news is that taking action on climate is the fiscally smart thing to do, and many climate solutions will also save households money.
  • We can’t afford NOT to take climate action. New research published in the journal Nature concludes that the cost of environmental damage will be six times higher than the cost of limiting global heating to 2 C. We must take every action possible now.
  • Shifting from oil, gas and coal to renewable energy brings more control, price consistency and energy security by moving us from global insecurity and price spikes created by fossil fuel markets.
  • Renewables such as wind and solar have been the least expensive forms of electricity now for years — significantly cheaper than electricity produced with so-called “natural” gas.
  • The costs of solar and energy storage have dropped by more than 90 per cent over the past decade. The cost of onshore wind has gone down by more than 70 per cent in the same period.
  • The provinces with the lowest electricity costs are the ones that use the least oil, coal and gas.
  • Enthusiasm about heat pumps is rising because they are highly efficient for heating and cooling and they save money and reduce emissions. Free heat pumps for all, as well as rebates for home retrofits, save money, improve health and create more comfortable living spaces.
  • I am making changes in my life to address climate change and the rising cost of living and I’m calling on all levels of government to do the same. We can’t afford not to.

Your name, email and postal code will be included automatically at the end of your message. Do not write in this information at the bottom of your message.