| Reduce home energy use by 10% |
Nearly 60 per cent of the energy used by Canadian homes is directly
related to heating. |
| Choose Energy Star appliances and R2000 homes |
R-2000 homes use 30% less energy than standard homes. Modern appliances
save more energy than older ones. New refrigerators, for example,
use 40% less energy than models made just 10 years ago. The Energy
Star shows which appliances are especially efficient. |
| Eliminate home and garden pesticides |
Small children and pets are especially vulnerable to the dangers
of chemicals. |
| Eat less meat |
The production and processing of grains requires far less water
and land than is needed for meat. Also, domestic animals, especially
beef cattle, produce large amounts of methane gas. |
| Buy locally grown and produced food |
Buying locally reduces greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants
from food transportation. The average meal travels 2400 km (1500
miles) from the field to your table. |
| Drive a fuel-efficient car |
A typical SUV uses almost twice the fuel – and releases nearly
twice the emissions – of a modern station wagon. |
| Walk, bus or bike once a week |
Each year, Canadians make 2,000 trips for distances less than three
kms in their car, pumping GHGs into the air. |
| Choose a home near work/school |
A convenient place to live reduces the amount you drive, which
means you’ll lower your emissions. |
| Support transportation alternatives |
One busload of passengers takes as many as 40 vehicles off the
road during rush hour. It also saves 70,000 litres of fuel and cuts
air pollutants by nine tonnes a year. |
| Get involved and tell others |
In many circumstances, environmentally smart choices such as efficient
transit may not be available. Governments and corporations need to
be encouraged to be more environmentally friendly. |
