Fighting Climate Change: 5 Ways to Make a Difference

Recently, Sir Nicholas Stern, former Chief Economist of the World Bank, visited Toronto to present the results of a detailed study commissioned by the British Government on the economic implications of not taking action on climate change. The conclusion? The benefits of strong, early action on climate change clearly outweigh the costs.

Reducing our fossil fuel dependency requires action on many fronts, including how we live. Here are several ways you can stop global warming, reduce energy consumption and make a difference:

• Have a home energy audit done. Organizations can send out trained professionals to inspect your home and suggest ways to conserve energy. This will also save money on your energy bills. For more information, visit Green Communities Canada at www.gca.ca.
• Create an energy efficient home by purchasing appliances that are ENERGYSTAR© approved, and replace traditional light bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescents. Remember what your parents told you -turn off all lights when you leave a room, and unplug all unused appliances.
• Purchase your electricity from sustainable energy sources. Ontario residents have a choice of going with green power, and they should.
• Choose locally grown, organic foods that are produced without pesticides. Food transportation causes tremendous amounts of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Choose products that generate the least waste and make sure that you compost all organic waste. Recycling paper, cardboard, cans, and bottles also helps reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with landfills.

And remember to take the Nature Challenge at www.davidsuzuki.org, which has other tips for reducing your impact on the earth.

Author: David Suzuki