It’s a game and a challenge!
Take actions this summer to reduce your personal carbon footprint and make healthy decisions for you and the planet. Stop by our table in the foyer after services in June to pick up your Summer of Action Challenge Bingo card. OR download your Bingo card and instructions here.
There are 2 cards for you to choose from:
Play as an individual or as a household. When you get a Bingo, place your card in the Summer of Action Bingo box in the foyer. There will be “fabulous prizes”.
For more ideas on personal actions, check the list below.
Ideas for Climate Actions
Tips:
- Consider calculating your carbon footprint to get a better understanding of your potential action areas. The Climate Action team can help you with this.
- Tell your family and friends what you are doing to address the climate crisis. You may inspire them to make changes.
- If you require more information please contact climate@uuhamilton.ca
Household
- electrify as much as you can
- lawn and garden naturalization & pollinator gardens
- move from fossil fuel furnace to heat pump
- right-size your home
- reduce textile waste
- reduce plastic waste
- use low flow water fixtures
- air dry your laundry
- do an energy audit of your home and implement the recommendations
Transportation
- get a transit pass and use it
- bicycle more, use Sobi if you don’t want to buy a bike
- buy an electric bicycle
- reduce air travel
- drive less, carpool or carshare more
- transition to a hybrid or electric vehicle
- be a local/regional tourist
- have a weekly “no-drive” day
- buy a bundle buggy and do errands on foot
Circular Economy
- reduce consumption buying only what you need
- follow the 5 Rs: reduce, refuse, re-use, repurpose, recycle
- use, borrow, swap, thrift or make before buying
- join a buy nothing or facebook market group
- put unused household items on the curb
- support local artisans and craftspeople
- buy locally made items
- organize a “second-hand” baby or bridal shower
- buy products made from repurposed or recycled materials
- donate old bikes to charities that fix them
- learn to repair things and teach others what you know
- make quilts from recycled clothes
Diet
- grow some food (even on a windowsill)
- support local and regenerative agriculture
- reduce or eliminate meat and dairy
- adopt a plant-based diet
- buy as local as possible and get to know the people who grow your food
- eat seasonally
- reduce food waste
Ecosystem conservation/regeneration
- volunteer for First Unitarian garden team
- volunteer for tree planting and wetland restoration projects
- plant a Miyawaki forest
- donate to conservation authorities, Ontario Nature, Nature Conservancy and other organizations that buy natural lands
- be a “conservation watch” volunteer
- volunteer to help the Bruce Trail Conservancy protect the trail
Build a climate resilient community:
- get to know your neighbours
- take care of folks who need your help
- organize community meals, outdoor festivals, repair cafes, clothing swaps
- donate to organizations that work for climate action, conservation and community transformation
Support and Advocate for:
- bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure
- high speed rail
- sustainable land use planning (intensification and open space)
- adaptive reuse of existing buildings
- protection and conservation of natural areas
- walkable cities
- proper floodplain management
- more efficient and equitable public transit
- divestment from fossil fuels by banks, big institutions and pension funds
- better government climate policies at all levels
- indigenous peoples forest/land tenure
- international family planning and women’s education
- greater participation in elections
- candidates and parties that support good climate policy and actions
Also
- write articles or letters to the editor about climate issues
- write or telephone politicians to let them know the community is paying attention
Prepared by The Climate Action Team, First Unitarian Church of Hamilton
climate@uuhamilton.ca
Updated 06/08/2023