Happy New Year! With a new year comes hope for positive change. The last Take Action Burlington blog post of 2020 presented a Year in Review. This blog post will present some of the upcoming programs, initiatives and reports related to the environment planned so far for 2021. Climate Change Adapting to a Changing Climate … More 2021 Environmental Action Sneak Peek
For most of us, 2020 has been a year unlike any other that we have experienced in our lifetime. With the year almost over, I thought it would be a good opportunity to highlight some environmentally related initiatives that have taken place in Burlington this year. In January, Burlington staff began using an updated template … More 2020: A Year in Review
Did you know that 98 percent of homes built before 2017 need to be retrofitted by 2050 for the cities of Burlington and Hamilton to reach their carbon reduction goals? If you are a Burlington or Hamilton homeowner interested in learning more about energy efficiencies for your single-family home (detached, semi-detached or townhouse), register for … More Home Energy Retrofit Orientation Program Webinar
Let’s face it, climate change is a complex issue. Climate change has often been described as a ‘wicked problem’ due to its complexity and interconnected nature with other issues where a variety of solutions are required. And that’s why the HCC Reads campaign was developed. What is the HCC Reads campaign? The HCC Reads campaign … More Let’s Talk about Climate Change!
Waste Reduction Week in Canada Waste Reduction Week in Canada is a national campaign led by the Recycling Council of Ontario. It is a year-round campaign focused on the principles of circular economy, resource efficiency and waste. Each year, the third week of October focuses on celebrating environmental efforts and achievements and empowering Canadians to … More Take Action on Waste
In April 2020, Burlington City Council adopted the Climate Action Plan. The Plan identified and laid out a path for the community as a whole to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) to as close to zero as possible by the year 2050. One of the major sources of GHG emissions in Burlington is transportation. Let’s … More Take Action to Reduce Your Impact – Register for Upcoming Events
It’s that time of year again where the end of August typically marks the end of summer vacation and the return to a routine. For those of you with kids, you may be hearing some groaning or at the other end of the spectrum, some excitement at the prospect of your kids seeing their friends … More Back to School Eco Tips
Are you one of many gardeners who is growing your own food this year either for enjoyment, to teach your kids or grandkids about where food really comes from (before it gets to the grocery store), or because it is something to do during the pandemic? Depending on what you planted, you’re likely already enjoying … More How Burlington residents are growing the gift of food
With summer travel plans altered due to COVID-19, backyard staycations and pools are increasing in popularity. While backyard pools offer a refreshing and fun option creating many lifelong memories, it’s important to follow some basic environmentally-friendly actions. Good eco-friendly pool, spa and hot tub maintenance actually starts with knowing about sanitary and storm sewers. Did … More Eco tips to maintain your pool, hot tub and spa this summer
Here’s a ‘good news’ story to share with you on World Environment Day and Canadian Environment Week! A dedicated team of students from the Halton District School Board (HDSB) recognized that they can have a significant impact on mitigation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions) and adaptation efforts for climate action. Over the past year, they developed … More Halton District School Board Student-led Climate Emergency Declaration Approved
Now that retail stores are open for pick-up, many residents are rolling up to get their packages or food orders in their vehicles. Please remember to turn your vehicle off while you patiently wait. I am sure you don’t want to get a $120 ticket for idling unnecessarily. And, no one wants to inhale your … More Idling Bylaw Still in Effect
With physical distancing due to COVID-19, many organizations are staying engaged with residents by creating and promoting different activities that you can do or learn at home. This post highlights some of the environmentally related or nature-based activities that are currently available. Since early April, the Royal Botanical Gardens has been running interactive content on … More Enviro Fun @ Home
Food security or being able to buy and get enough food to meet nutritional needs, is a very serious issue for some households and even more so with the COVID-19 pandemic due to increasing job losses. Burlington Food Bank is experiencing increasing demand and relies on community support to ensure sufficient supplies are available to … More Grow your own fruit and veggies!
Last year, Burlington City Council declared a climate emergency, recognizing that our community is already experiencing the impacts of climate change and that action is needed to support a low carbon resilient community. In response to the emergency declaration, city staff worked with community and local stakeholder groups to develop a Climate Action Plan for … More Burlington’s Climate Action Plan Approved by City Council
Did you know that ‘flushable’ wipes are actually NOT flushable? While you might see the wipes go down your toilet bowl, it’s what you’re not seeing that is having a great impact. (Wipes vs. Toilet Paper video concept and creative courtesy of Metro Vancouver). While toilet paper breaks down quickly, wipes do not. Wipes twist … More Flush only the three P’s … Poop, Pee and Toilet Paper!
Increased heat waves, windstorms, ice storms, drought and flood events are just a few of the climate change impacts being felt in many communities around the world. Burlington is not exempt from such events and we need to be prepared. Communities are increasingly setting up extreme weather resiliency hubs with local faith-based organizations to offer … More Forming Partnerships with Local Faith Based Organizations
Climate change has been described as a wicked or complex problem as there isn’t a single, simple solution. This could result in individuals becoming overwhelmed and believing that they can’t make a difference, so they continue with their current behaviour. However, as I always highlight in this blog; every individual action matters as ‘collectively we … More Do one thing … Put on your sweater
January 2020 not only brings a new year but also a new decade. From a climate change perspective, this is a very important decade as the impacts of our daily decisions need to be considered now more than ever. Please continue reading to find out why. The Science The International Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) … More Use a climate lens for personal decision-making
The City of Burlington is excited to join the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM). This coalition of city leaders around the world are tackling climate change by pledging to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (mitigation) and preparing for the future impacts of climate change (adaptation). Burlington is also one of 25 … More Burlington joins the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy
Did you know there are 27 public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in downtown Burlington? The city’s first public EV charging station was installed in the parking garage at 414 Locust St. in 2015. A second charging station was added in 2017 at the same location. Both charging stations have two ports each allowing a … More Ready, set, charge!
Burlington’s draft Climate Action Plan (BCAP) is now available and we want to hear from you. Check out the plan by clicking on the links below: Staff report on the Climate Action Plan Appendix A – Burlington Climate Action Plan (draft) Appendix B – Climate Action Plan Engagement Strategy Take the Climate Action Plan survey … More We want to hear from you on the draft Burlington Climate Action Plan
Thanks to the 50 or so residents who came out to Burlington Public Library, Central Branch on Nov. 12 to hear five City staff speak about climate change projections and impacts in Burlington as well as what the City is doing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to our new climate. The audience was … More Climate Action in Burlington: Event Highlights
Did you know that Burlington City Council declared a climate emergency? Come out and hear about some projects and initiatives city staff are working on with respect to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to our new climate. There will be five presentations with time for Q&As: Climate Change Projections and Impacts in Burlington City … More Learn more about climate action in Burlington on Nov. 12
Did you know that the City of Burlington declared a Climate Emergency earlier this year? We are developing a Climate Action Plan and making decisions using a climate lens on City projects. But we can’t do it alone, so we’ve been out and about all summer asking Burlington residents to weigh in. We’ve had some … More Burlington Climate Action Plan – Public Open House
Are you or do you know a Halton youth in grade seven to 12 interested in learning about climate action in a fun, engaging and interactive way? If so, you need to check out the Generation Green Youth Un-conference designed by youth for youth. What’s in it for you: Engage in climate action leadership Be … More Check out the Generation Green Youth Un-conference
