Community Climate Action
The community plays a crucial role in both addressing and adapting to climate change. On this page, you'll find practical ideas and helpful resources to reduce emissions, adjust to a changing climate, and protect the environment—at home and throughout your neighbourhood.
On this page:
Making Changes at home
Energy that we use to heat, cool, and power our homes, contributes to community emissions. Conserving energy by turning off lights and adjusting thermostats are simple ways to reduce our energy use. As our climate changes and we experience more extreme weather events, it is also important that our homes are equipped to cope with the changes.
Check out some helpful ideas to promote greener and more resilient homes:
| Calculate your carbon footprint |
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Use this online calculator to determine your carbon footprint and identify opportunities for improvement. |
| Renovate or retrofit your home |
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There are many ways to make your home greener and more resilient:
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| Plant trees and native plants |
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| Support native plants |
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Invasive insects and plants negatively affect biodiversity and pose threats to our forest, agriculture, and natural environments. Visit our Invasive Insects and Plants page to learn more. |
| Conserve water |
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Greener ways to get around
Explore more sustainable ways to get around the community. Check out a list of ideas below:
| Active transportation |
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Walk, bike, roll, and use other forms of active transportation to get around your community. Check out trails throughout the County to plan your trip. |
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Avoid Idling |
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Reducing unnecessary idling is one effective way to decrease emissions from vehicles, save on fuel costs, support sustainability, and promote the health and well-being of community members. |
| Explore public transportation options |
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Using public transportation options, like Brant Transit, are great ways to reduce emissions from personal vehicle travel. |
| Carpool when possible |
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Coordinating your trips with neighbours, friends, families, and co-workers, helps to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and emissions. If you are travelling to the same destination, explore opportunities to carpool. |
| Consider electric and hybrid vehicle options |
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Reducing and Diverting waste
As waste breaks down in our landfills, it creates harmful GHG emissions. There are ways we can reduce the waste we create and ensure it is disposed of properly. Check out some tips for reducing and diverting waste below:
| Recycle |
| Recycling is an effective way to reduce the amount of waste ending up in our landfills. Use Recycle Coach to learn more about what products are recyclable in the County. |
| Compost at home |
| Start composting in your backyard. Visit the composting page to find important information on how-to compost and ways to purchase a subsidized composter from the County. |
| Dispose of hazardous waste properly |
| To protect our environment, it is important to dispose of hazardous products correctly. To learn more disposing of things like paint, agricultural items, electronics, and other chemicals, visit the County’s hazardous waste page. |
| Select lower waste alternatives |
| When purchasing items, evaluate the amount of waste produced and consider selecting options with lower waste/less packaging when possible. |
| Limit single use plastics |
| Reusable products, such as grocery bags, water bottles, soap dispensers, straws, and utensils, are great ways to reduce waste. |
| Support a circular economy |
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Supporting a more circular economy by shopping and donating to second-hand stores, items swapping and more. |
For more information on curbside waste collection, recycling, composting and more, visit the Garbage and Recycling page.
Get Involved
There are many opportunities to get involved in climate action across the community. Some ideas are included below:
| Attend events hosted by the County and celebrate earth week |
| The County hosts different events, initiatives, and programs focused on environmental sustainability. Stay informed by following us on social media and subscribing to our newsletter. |
| Work together with neighbours |
| There are opportunities to work together with neighbours to encourage community action. Things like buying in bulk, carpooling, creating plans to deal with climate emergencies, are all ways to connect with your community while supporting the environment. |
| Explore local environmental groups |
| Consider working together with local groups to support the environment. Local horticultural clubs and non-profit groups provide learning opportunities and play an important role in supporting climate action and environmental sustainability. |
And more! There are many ways that you can reduce emissions and support a greener and more adaptive community.
Contact us
Connect with us about climate change at the County of Brant.