FROM OUR GREEN TEAM FOR GLOBAL WELLNESS:
Purchase carbon offsets to reduce the climate impact of my activities; e.g. flights, yearly mileage, etc. (Google Less Emissions).
Reduce your energy costs by turning down the heating temperature in the winter and turning up the temperature setting for your air conditioning in the summer.
Bicycle or walk to the grocery store when I can carry what I need to purchase.
Reduce phantom electricity usage by unplugging appliances (e.g. toasters, kettles, etc.) when not in use. (Google Vampire Power also Toronto Hydro and Hydro One for energy conservation tips).
Eat more plant-based proteins in lieu of animal based proteins.
Instead of tossing gently used items in your garbage bin, set them out on your pick-up day for someone to pick up OR Google Kijiji to sell more desirable items OR donate to LUC Awesome Sale.
Buy less stuff, particularly cheap clothing. (Google the story of stuff).
Plant a Butterfly Garden. (Google Planting a butterfly garden in Ontario).
Plant a tree or help with a community tree planting. (Google Tree planting and stewardship events in Toronto).
Avoid planting invasive species – for example Phragmites. (Google Invasive species in Ontario).
Organize a ravine or park clean-up to pick up garbage that has accumulated over the winter.
Stop using bottled water and other plastic items. (Google Rethink Plastic).
Remember the 4 R’s Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and then Recycle!
Refuse excess packaging and unnecessary items,
Reduce your energy consumption and excess food waste,
Reuse grocery bags, cloth dishcloths instead of paper towels, and
Recycle items when all else fails.
For many other suggestions:
Review the Green Team Eco-Tips on the LUC website!
Books to read and television programs to watch:
A Harvest of Thorns by Corban Anderson.
A novel that addresses the question of “Who made my clothes?” (initial chapter provides insight into the November 2012 fire at Tarzeen Fashions, Djakarta Bangladesh).
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline (winner of CBC Canada Reads 2018).
A fictional journey of indigenous peoples who must keep moving in a world nearly destroyed by climate challenge.
Fire Storm – How wildfire will shape our future by Edward Struzik.
A non-fiction account of the lessons learned from recent wildfires, including the Fort McMurray fire in 2016.
Sea Sick by Alanna Mitchell.
A non-fiction account about the health of our Oceans.
Television programs that focus on environmental issues and how to mitigate and adapt to their consequences: TVO, Nature of Things.
Key websites that explain Carbon Pricing:
Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission www.ecofiscal.ca 10 Myths about Carbon Pricing in Canada.
Canadian Environmental Law Association www.cela.org/blog for an interview with the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, Dianne Saxe.
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