The Results Are In!

by

Results of Our Summer of Climate Action

This list categorizes all actions submitted for the Carbon Footprint activity. There are actions here that can inspire all of us.  Thank you to all who contributed.

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First Unitarian Church Summer of Climate Action
Individual Actions Reported by Congregants
Compiled October 2023

Please note: any repetition is intentional. We wanted to include everyone’s actions!

HOUSEHOLD

  • Household water conservation
  • Shifted to laundry strips & bar shampoo (reduce plastics)
  • Use both sides of writing paper
  • Reduce plastic use in general
  • Turn off lights
  • Disconnect downspouts from storm sewer system
  • Inverter mini split is main heat source
  • Do laundry after 7 pm
  • Take “navy showers” to conserve water
  • Use reusable (cloth) shopping bags
  • Recycle Babybell wax (company will take back)
  • Don’t use Iphone or Ipad
  • Dragon boating
  • Insulated our attic
  • Embraced the weeds in my garden – no spraying
  • Planted native tree (Serviceberry) and plants
  • Built a passive cooling backyard
  • Increased number of Carolinian plants in my garden
  • No plastic bags
  • Planted more native plants
  • Compost
  • Built a native plant seed orchard
  • Opened windows and used fans, almost no air conditioning
  • Careful recycling

TRANSPORTATION

  • Walk or bike 99% of the time
  • Green vehicle(?)
  • Riding bike instead of driving car when possible
  • Walk to school
  • Work from home and take taxis
  • Use public transit e.g. bus or trains
  • Not letting car idle
  • More transit, less car
  • Walking to school instead of driving
  • Take bus
  • Use public transport
  • Gave up using the car through the summer
  • Bike places you usually drive to
  • No plane travel
  • Use electric car. This summer drove 1200 km used only 20 l of gas

CIRCULAR ECONOMY

  • Practise 5Rs – Refuse, repair, reduce, repurpose, recycle
  • Reuse, recycle, upcycle
  • Buy 2nd hand clothing
  • Look after our belongings better so that we buy less. Better quality = Less quantity
  • No fast fashion – thrift and consignment
  • Use Value Village etc. for clothing

DIET

  • Buy CSA boxes – fresh produce from local farmers
  • Follow vegan diet
  • Grow a garden
  • Signed the “Plant Based Treaty”
  • Eat plants and plant trees
  • Trying to eat less meat
  • Planted a veggie garden
  • Purchasing fewer exotic foods e.g. advocadoes
  • Eating a plant-based diet
  • Eating more beans. (Since we never did eat beef much this may or may not reduce methane production!)
  • Follow vegetarian diet

NATURE CONSERVATION

  • Working on biodiversity
  • Planting native plants

ADVOCACY

  • Advocating for natural heritage systems in my community
  • Have done 7 paintings and write ups about climate change and pollution
  • Advocate for addressing climate change
  • Involved in Action 13
  • Attending rallies and writing letters
  • Led community group for responsible growth
  • Working with city on diversity
  • Taking action against heavy industries that pollute air & water
  • Co-chair First U Climate Action Team
  • Protested greenbelt land losses
  • Rallying against banks lending/spending billions on fossil fuel expansion