Climate Change in Niagara and You
By: Gina Pannunzio (Niagara College’s Sustainability Engagement Assistant as well as a volunteer to Niagara Sustainability Initiative).
Last week, Niagara Sustainability Initiative posted an article with information about initiatives taking place in the region, as well as some of the impacts that we may see as a result of climate change. This follow-up article will be able to provide readers with some useful tips to implement at home.
Sometimes, thinking about the larger impacts of climate change can make it seem like anything we do won’t really help. However, engaging yourself and then others is the best way to make some positive change in our community. If we all put climate change and the environment first, we can help to start a culture shift that will lead to greater impacts from our small changes. Showing bigger companies, government bodies and organizations that we value sustainability can encourage them to change their ways as well.
There are many ways in which you and your family or roommates can reduce your environmental footprint. These tips will hopefully inspire you to think about your lifestyle, and how you can make changes to the way you purchase products, generate waste, travel around, what you do for fun, and how you use energy and water. Not only will they make you feel better, but these initiatives can save you money.
Food-related impacts can help individuals and families move towards a more local and sustainable diet.
Try heading down to any number of the farmer’s markets that are stocked up with the best seasonal fruits, veggies and other treats as opposed to purchasing the same products from the supermarket. You are contributing to a more local diet and reducing emissions related to food transportation over long distances.
Saving yourself some energy
During the winter months it’s quite difficult to avoid turning up the heat. Here are some things you can do for yourself and family:
- Keep the blinds down and curtains drawn. This can reduce heat loss through your window;
- Don’t keep your air heat blasting all day long. If you know you won’t be home, turn the heat down. Smart thermostats are a great tool that you can quickly train to learn your family’s schedule, avoid wasted heating and make sure your home is warm and ready when you return to it;
- If you reduce your indoor temperature by one degree, this can add up to significant utility savings per month;
- Find something to do on the weekends, where the heat is already on, such as activities at the YMCA or a movie theatre.
Reducing waste generation
The average family in Canada can produce approximately 1,000 kg of waste per year. Greenhouse gases from waste are significant and are derived from the transportation and final disposal, where decomposing waste creates methane. Here are some easy ways to reduce the amount of waste your family produces:
- During your winter cleaning, donate gently used items rather than throwing them out in the regular waste stream;
- Continuing to recycle throughout the year is a great way to divert plastic, glass, metal and paper materials from the landfill. Don’t forget about the curbside organics available to all residents in the region;
- To further your initiative of diverting waste from the landfill, you could also start a composting program in your backyard, or find someone in your neighbourhood with a garden, to whom you could donate. A kitchen garbage could be seriously minimized if organics can be diverted further from the waste stream;
- Reusable shopping bags are always a great item to keep handy, try to make it a habit to leave them in your car at all times.
Transportation
A significant portion of anyone’s carbon footprint is the method of transportation they are using on a regular basis:
- Try walking or riding your bike to places that are relatively close. Walking is a great way to get some exercise and avoid traffic jams.
- Find willing co-workers who can share car-pooling and buckle up. Take advantage of paying less for gas, seeing a friendly face in the morning and driving in the car-pool lane, where it is available.
- Haven’t taken a bus in a while? The transit system in Niagara can take you anywhere. Regional bus services are available that go between different cities in the region.
Saving water
- Check your faucets, toilets, and pipes for leaks to avoid wasting water;
- Don’t use the toilet as a waste container – five to seven gallons of water are wasted every time your flush;
- Install water-saving showerheads and low-flow faucet aerators;
- Take shorter showers and turn off the taps when brushing your teeth;
- Don’t run the dishwasher or washing machine until you have a full load.
