The Climate Action group shares some accessible ideas for positive 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 food waste
- 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 and carpool more
- transition to a hybrid or electric vehicle
- be a local/regional tourist
- buy a bundle buggy and do errands on foot
Circular Economy:
- 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
- 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 rich diet
- buy as local as possible and get to know the people who grow your food
- eat seasonally
Ecosystem conservation/regeneration:
- 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
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:
- Indigenous peoples forest/land tenure
- 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
- 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