People throughout Canada — and throughout the world — are taking action to help fight climate change. What changes will you make? (Photo: Helena Lopes via Unsplash)
As the world warms, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense, sea levels are rising, prolonged droughts are putting pressure on food crops, and many animal and plant species are being driven to extinction. It’s hard to imagine what we as individuals can do to resolve a problem of this scale and severity.
The good news: We are not alone. People, communities, cities, businesses, schools, faith groups and other organizations are taking action. We’re fighting like our lives depend on it — because they do.
In a world of more than seven billion people, each of us is a drop in the bucket. But with enough drops, we can fill any bucket.
David Suzuki
Ten ways you can help fight climate change
1. Demand climate solutions this election
On October 21, Canadians will vote in a federal election. This is a key moment for climate action in in our country. We must elect a government that will take bold action to reduce emissions, prepare for climate change and build a strong, diverse, equitable and clean economy.
Start by sending a letter to all party leaders and the candidates in your riding, telling them that your vote depends on bold action. Up until the election, you can also call or visit your candidates, volunteer for a candidate or organization that you support and talk to friends and family about the importance of voting for climate action.
On election day, show your support for climate solutions by voting for a party with a strong and credible climate action plan.
2. Use energy wisely — and save money too!
Canada is the top per-capita energy consumer in the world! By becoming more energy-efficient, you not only pollute less but save money too.
Consider making some or all of these small changes. Together, they can really add up.
- Change to energy-efficient light bulbs
- Install a heat pump in your home. Heat pumps work by extracting heat from one location and transferring it to another
- Unplug computers, TVs and other electronics when you’re not using them
- Wash clothes in cold or warm water (not hot)
- Hang-dry your clothes when you can and use dryer balls when you can’t
- Install a programmable thermostat
- Look for the Energy Star label when buying new appliances
- Winterize your home to prevent heat from escaping and try to keep it cool in the summer without an air conditioner
- Get a home or workplace energy audit to identify where you can make the most energy-saving gains
Sign up for more tips and tricks! Join the Charged Up network
3. Get charged up with renewables
The global push for cleaner, healthier energy is on. With costs dropping every day, renewable energy is the best choice for the environment and the economy.
People throughout Canada are leading the renewable energy transition, making a big difference in towns, cities and rural areas. You can, too!
Start by sending a message to Canada’s federal party leaders, telling them you want to see Canada get charged up with renewables.
4. Eat for a climate-stable planet
The decisions we make about food can have a profound effect on the environment. Here are four simple ways you can make your diet more climate-friendly.
- Eat more meat-free meals
- Buy organic and local whenever possible
- Don’t waste food
- Grow your own
Get more info on how to eat for the climate and how eating less meat will reduce Earth’s heat.
Fun fact: You can also help save the planet by eating insects!
5. Start a climate conversation
Although most of us believe climate change is a crucial issue that must be tackled immediately, we’re also reluctant to talk about it, even with friends and family. Conversations about climate change can bring up all kinds of difficult emotions.
And yet, solving climate change will require us all to work together, and we can’t do that without communicating effectively. It’s time for us all to have more climate conversations.
Start by asking one person you’re close to how climate change has affected them. Listen to their thoughts and stories, then share your own.
Watch this space for the launch of a fun tool to help you have constructive climate conversations.
6. Green your commute
In Canada, transportation accounts for 24 per cent of climate-polluting emissions, a close second to the oil and gas industry.
The many ways to reduce your transportation emissions will also make you healthier, happier and save you a few bucks. Whenever and wherever you can:
- Take public transit
- Ride a bike or advocate for bike lanes in your community
- Car-share
- Switch to an electric or hybrid vehicle
- Fly less (if you do fly, make sure you offset your emissions)
7. Consume less, waste less, enjoy life more
“We use too much, too much of it is toxic and we don’t share it very well. But that’s not the way things have to be. Together, we can build a society based on better not more, sharing not selfishness, community not division.” — The Story of Stuff
Focusing on life’s simple pleasures — spending time in nature, being with loved ones, making a difference to others — provides more purpose, belonging and happiness than buying and consuming. Sharing, making, fixing, upcycling, repurposing and composting are all good places to start.
Fire up your commitment to the people and places you love by acting every day on the understanding that we are one with nature.
Get simple DIY recipes, how-tos and green living tips from the Queen of Green
8. Invest in renewables and divest from fossil fuels
Even if you can’t install solar panels or a wind turbine, you can still be a part of the clean-energy economy. Search online for local renewable energy co-ops to join. As a member, you’ll own part of the co-op’s renewable energy projects and will receive a return on your investment. You can also speak to your financial adviser about clean energy/technology investments.
Let industry know you care about climate change by meeting with your bank or investment adviser to make sure your investments do not include fossil fuels. And make sure your workplace, pension fund or university doesn’t invest in fossil fuels either. If they do, join or start a divestment campaign.
Learn more about why it’s important to divest from damage and invest in a healthier future.
9. Help put a price on pollution
A price on carbon is one of the most important pillars of a strong climate policy. Carbon pricing helps make polluting activities more expensive and green solutions relatively more affordable, allowing your energy-efficient business and/or household to save money!
Most market economists agree that pricing carbon is an efficient and business-friendly way to reduce emissions. The federal government is working with the provinces and territories to put a national price on carbon, but they need your support.
10. Get politically active and vote
Although it’s important to take action to reduce our individual carbon footprints, we also need to focus on changing the larger system. That’s where we have the greatest opportunity to reduce emissions.
Vote for leaders at all levels of government who take climate change seriously. They should commit to setting science-based targets to reduce harmful carbon emissions, implementing clear plans to reach those targets, adapting to climate change and shifting to a clean-energy economy.
Make sure you are registered to vote and then get informed for all elections — not just the ones that get the most media attention. Candidates’ positions on climate change vary widely, so research the parties, ask questions about climate change at town halls or debates and let your candidates know you are voting for the climate. Know that your vote really matters.
If you’re too young to vote, encourage your class or school to join a Student Vote program, which provides students the opportunity to experience participation in the election process. You can also talk to your parents about the importance of voting for climate action.
Upcoming elections:
- Manitoba: September 10, 2019
- Northwest Territories: October 1, 2019
- Canada federal: October 21, 2019
- Nunavut: October 25, 2019
