"If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito" B. Reese
WHAT YOU CAN DO
- GET ACTIVE
- CHANGE HABITS AND MAKE SUSTAINABLE CHOICES
- PRINT THE ICan CHECKLIST
- ASK FOR AND SUPPORT GOVERNMENT ACTION
OTHER LINKS...
- FOR BUSINESS: SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT
- FOR TEACHERS: ECOKIDS GAMES AND ACTIVITIES
- VEHICLE IDLING: WHAT YOU CAN DO
- LEARN & SHARE: CANADIAN EARTH INSTITUTE
- CALCULATE YOUR ECO FOOTPRINT
ASK FOR, AND SUPPORT, GOVERNMENT ACTION [To Top]
See: Stabilization Wedges: Mitigation Tools for the Next Half Century (.pdf)
About a Carbon Levy at: What is a ConstructB
WRITE YOUR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT AND URGE THEM TO SUPPORT A CARBON LEVY
This will stimulate alternative technology development, and possibly reduce subsidies to the fossil fuel industries. Use your vote to influence the biggest issue facing mankind today. If a representative doesn't support a Carbon Levy - then don't vote for him or her! Find Your MP.
Here is one you can print, sign and send, however it may get more attention if you hand wrote your letter. It says a lot if you take the time to handwrite.
Downloadable Letter (Word Document)
Write your own letter - here's a guide from the Sierra Club:
How to Write Good Letters
WRITE TO YOUR LOCAL MLA
Use this link to find your MLA.
GET ACTIVE [To Top]
GO CARBON NEUTRAL
Choices that you Can Do from the Suzuki Foundation.
GET ACTIVE ON CLEAN AIR DAY
Clean Air Day is held annually during the first week of June in conjunction with Canada's Environment Week. In BC, Clean Air Day is the first Wednesday in June. World Environment Day is held June 5th.
TAKE THE COMMUTER CHALLENGE
Commuter challenge is a national program that aims to increase the awareness of the benefits of sustainable commuting and to encourage Canadians to take action by walking, cycling, using transit, carpooling or teleworking instead of driving alone. Read about it and register here!
CONSIDER AND LOBBY FOR BETTER TRANSIT
Examine information about Canada's Eco Mobility Program and Transportation Demand Management.
Learn and Lobby through CUTA's Transit Action Center
Contact Your MP about Transit Needs
Review Transit Options in BC at: http://www.busonline.ca/regions/chw/transitplus/other_transportation.cfm
For Chilliwack Residents, review: http://www.busonline.ca/regions/chw/
CHANGE HABITS AND MAKE SUSTAINABLE CHOICES [To Top]
PRINT AND CHECK OFF THE CUT CARBON NOW CHECKLIST
INVESTMENT:
Examine your mutual funds
Support and Invest in Alternative Energy (Wind, Solar, Hydro)
Don't invest in the fossil fuel industries
TRANSPORTATION:
Slow Down and reduce vehicle speed. A drop from 110 to 90 will save 20-30% on highway fuel costs.
Investigate and Purchase a carbon offset: Cool Drive Pass TerraPass
Slow Down: walk, or ride your bike for that trip to the corner store down the street
Plan your transportation to maximize your route and reduce your mileage
Drive an fuel efficient car or hybrid
Maintain your vehicle regularly
Take public transit or Carpool
Work close to home
HOME:
Investigate Ice House Cooling and Smart meters
Put on your sweater and slippers, and lower the thermostat!
Set up two or three recycling bins and Recycle all tin, paper, plastic.
Be conscious: reuse plastic, paper bags, glass jars, yogurt and salsa containers.
Use fluorescent lighting
Ensure appliances are energy efficient
Install energy efficient windows
Reduce your hot water temperature and take shorter showers
FOOD:
Buy locally
Buy product grown with organic naturally occurring fertilizers
Grow your own
Go Vegetarian
LEARN and SPREAD IT AROUND:
About alternative energy and commercial enterprises promoting them.
Join Associations and meet others who may share their knowledge.
Use the internet and remember the library.
Watch Al Gore's"An Inconvenient Truth" and share it with as many as possible
Talk to your circle of friends, relatives, workmates and urge them to talk to theirs
WALK THE TALK
(*taken from http://www.thepetitionsite.com/howhelpmore.html)
- Contact leading interest groups working on issues similar to your petition. Ask them how you can help them.
- Organize school, neighborhood or other groups to brainstorm ideas and take action.
- Make a donation to a group working on the cause.
- Be a model citizen and "walk the walk!" As Mahatma Gandhi said so well, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
