Promotional poster promoting community clean up green up

Register for BurlingtonGreen’s Annual Community Clean Up

March 22, 2021

April 8, 2021 update: Due to the current stay-at-home order, Burlington’s Community Clean-Up has been postponed until the order is lifted. Once that happens, the opportunity will then be extended through to the end of October. Spring has sprung. The days are getting longer, outdoor temperatures are rising, spring bulbs are emerging, and early spring … More Register for BurlingtonGreen’s Annual Community Clean Up

Image showing warmer, wetter and wilder icons

Burlington Prepares for a Changing Climate

March 4, 2021

The previous Take Action Burlington post highlighted recognition the City of Burlington received from the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM) for completing two phases under the climate mitigation badge. Work is now underway to develop Burlington’s first climate adaptation plan to help us better prepare for our changing climate. Why are we working on a … More Burlington Prepares for a Changing Climate

Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy logo

Burlington successfully completes Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy Showcase Cities pilot in Canada

February 23, 2021

Burlington is one of 25 Canadian municipalities that successfully completed the Showcase Cities pilot focusing on local climate action. Municipalities are on the front lines of climate change. By participating in this pilot, Burlington has been recognized as a leader on local climate action both nationally and internationally. As reported in a Dec. 2019 Take … More Burlington successfully completes Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy Showcase Cities pilot in Canada

Promotional poster for Around the Kitchen Table: Discussing Climate Change with Others event

Register for the 2021 Bay Area Climate Change Forum

February 17, 2021

The Bay Area Climate Change Council would like to invite you to a free virtual event called “Around the Kitchen Table: Discussing Climate Change with Others.” Hear updates on progress of the climate goals in the Burlington-Hamilton region and learn how to have better climate conversations. Keynote speaker Katharine Hayhoe is an award-winning climate scientist, … More Register for the 2021 Bay Area Climate Change Forum

Image of seeds coming from open seed packet

Dig into Halton Garden Week!

January 20, 2021

Feeling the winter blues? Check out Halton Garden Week, a week-long celebration of spring and gardening inspired by Seeds of Diversity Canada from Feb. 20-27, 2021. Hosted by Halton Food, Halton Environmental Network, Greening Sacred Spaces and Oakvillegreen, this free online event will celebrate gardening across Halton Region with a public event focused on sustainable, … More Dig into Halton Garden Week!

Image of a home without outside walls showing potential home energy retrofits

Home Energy Retrofit Orientation Program Webinar

November 4, 2020

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

Circular image showing different theme days for waste reduction week

Take Action on Waste

October 19, 2020

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

Modes of transportation - bus car bike walk

Take Action to Reduce Your Impact – Register for Upcoming Events

October 15, 2020

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

Harvest for Burlington Food Bank

How Burlington residents are growing the gift of food

July 28, 2020

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

A backyard pool.

Eco tips to maintain your pool, hot tub and spa this summer

July 20, 2020

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

There is no planet B poster

Halton District School Board Student-led Climate Emergency Declaration Approved

June 5, 2020

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

Tom Thomson EcoFair 2016

Enviro Fun @ Home

May 14, 2020

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

Climate Action Plan graphic

Burlington’s Climate Action Plan Approved by City Council

April 21, 2020

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

Never flush wipes image.

Flush only the three P’s … Poop, Pee and Toilet Paper!

April 6, 2020

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!

Promotional image for Forming Partnerships with Local Faith Based Organizations Collaborative Workshop

Forming Partnerships with Local Faith Based Organizations

February 24, 2020

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

image of sweaters folded in a pile

Do one thing … Put on your sweater

February 3, 2020

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

Graphic with energy related icons including lightbulb, solar panels, wind energy, EV, bike, etc.

Use a climate lens for personal decision-making

January 20, 2020

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

Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy logo

Burlington joins the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy

December 18, 2019

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

Charging an EV at one of the city's charging stations.

Ready, set, charge!

December 11, 2019

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!