Are you a fan of winter? If you are, you thrive on the natural beauty of the season and if necessary, even travel to an area with conditions that are just right for winter scenery or activities. Those who are not fans of winter are likely counting the days to spring. You might also be … More Celebrate Winter Walk Day: You’re Closer Than You Think!
Our climate is changing. It’s not just about polar bears and melting ice caps; it’s about our homes, our communities, and our future. We all need to ‘Take Action Burlington’ to: Small actions can lead to big impacts. Whether it’s reducing single-use plastics, making the switch to active and sustainable modes of transportation, replacing your … More New Video on Taking Action on Climate Change in Burlington
Happy New Year! As John Lennon and Yoko Ono sang, “Another year over, a new one just begun.” So, we thought this is a good time to highlight the 37 Take Action Burlington blog posts published in 2023, our highest ever since we started the blog in 2015! With City Council declaring a climate emergency … More 2023: A Year in Review
The City of Burlington is working towards net carbon neutral operations by 2040. A pathway to achieve this Vision 2040 Strategic Plan goal is laid out in the Corporate Energy and Emissions Management Plan: 2019-2024. To ensure momentum towards achieving this goal, progress reports are presented each year to City Council. This post highlights some … More Burlington continues to lead by example to reduce carbon footprint
In July 2022, City Council approved Burlington’s first climate adaptation plan called Climate Resilient Burlington (CRB): A Plan for Adapting to Our Warmer, Wetter and Wilder Weather. The CRB plan is separate but complimentary to the City’s Climate Action Plan which is focused on reducing our community’s greenhouse gas emissions primarily from the use of … More Climate Resilient Burlington Plan – Our First Year
October 16 is World Food Day and in celebration, we are profiling our community gardens. Are you interested in growing your own local food? Do you live in Burlington and don’t have space to plant a garden? The City of Burlington has a solution that might work for you. From experienced gardeners to beginners, anyone … More Apply for a 2024 community garden plot by Dec. 15
Do you want to make your home more comfortable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly, but don’t know where to start? The City of Burlington’s Better Homes Burlington team and Burlington Public Library are hosting a series of free, one-hour information sessions where residents can learn about home energy retrofits. These introductory sessions will walk you through … More Learn More About Home Energy Retrofits in October
Applications for the Better Homes Burlington program are now open and will be reviewed on a first come first served basis! The City of Burlington is offering zero-interest loans up to $10,000 to help up to 20 homeowners with the installation of an air source heat pump. You can learn more about the benefits of … More Better Homes Burlington Applications are Open
Our climate is changing. We are experiencing warmer, wetter, and wilder weather. On Oct. 1, you can learn how to take some steps to reduce your impact on our climate and environment. Electric Vehicle (EV) Road Show If your current gas or diesel vehicle needs to be replaced, consider an EV. You will reduce your … More Test drive an EV and learn about air source heat pumps on Oct. 1
As the last few carefree summer days are winding down and the first day of school approaches, let’s consider how we can take action to reduce our impact on our local environment. Getting to and from school If you live close enough to school in urban areas – within 1.6 km for elementary students and … More Back to School Eco-Friendly Tips
Have you heard? The City of Burlington is launching Better Homes Burlington, a pilot program to help homeowners with the installation of an air source heat pump. The City is offering zero percent loans up to $10,000 for up to 20 homeowners. Why consider an air source heat pump? Heat pumps Find out if you … More Launching Better Homes Burlington
Are you renovating your home or considering some upgrades? This is the first of two blog posts that will highlight a few common items in your home – the toilet, showerhead and water heater – and options to save water and money. Are you flushing money down the drain? Did you know that toilet flushing … More Save Water and Money in Your Home – Part 1
At the July 11 Council meeting, City staff provided updates on three important environment and energy projects. All reports can be found on burlington.ca/calendar under the June 28 Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services Committee meeting agenda. Climate Resilient Burlington: A Plan for Adapting to Our Warmer, Wetter, Wilder Weather Progress Report The Climate Resilient Burlington … More City of Burlington Taking Action on Climate Change
Today, June 5, 2023, marks the fiftieth year since World Environment Day was declared by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to raise awareness and generate political momentum around growing environmental concerns. This week, June 4 to 10, 2023, also marks Canadian Environment Week which was established in 1971 to celebrate Canada’s environmental accomplishments and … More Burlington receives recognition from Global Covenant of Mayors for work on climate change
The bicycle is a very useful piece of equipment. While some might use a bicycle because of health benefits or as a sport, it is also an important form of transportation. A bicycle is more accessible to many offering a cost-effective way to get to school, work, the doctor, the grocery store, etc. and doesn’t … More Celebrate World Bicycle Day on June 3
Earth Hour began in Sydney, Australia in 2007 as a symbolic movement to turn lights off for one hour to raise awareness about climate change. Support quickly grew to 35 countries in 2008 and 192 countries in 2022. Over the years, the Earth Hour message was expanded to include awareness about the loss of biodiversity … More Celebrating Earth Hour Beyond the Hour
Transportation emissions account for about 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Burlington. Changing the way you commute to sustainable or active transportation will help us meet our greenhouse gas target to be a net carbon neutral community by 2050. Changes coming to Burlington Transit Starting March 1, 2023, Burlington Transit bus drivers will ask … More Kids can tap into free rides on Burlington Transit
On February 2, wear your favourite sweater and celebrate National Sweater Day. What is National Sweater Day? National Sweater Day is a campaign encouraging Canadians to show their support for limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. What can you do? Turn down your thermostat by 1.5 degrees Celsius or more and wear your … More Put on a sweater and learn about a new energy savings program
It’s January – it’s cold and it’s dark. Does your home need an energy efficiency upgrade? Have you considered installing a heat pump? Do you want to learn more about energy incentive programs? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you might be interested in registering for one of these upcoming events: … More Upcoming Events on Energy Efficiency – Learn about Heat Pumps and More
It’s hard to believe we started the Take Action Burlington blog seven years ago as a place to highlight the City of Burlington’s environmental accomplishments, profile community initiatives and events, and promote tips for home, work and play to reduce our collective footprint. Since then, we have published 173 posts and over the past five … More 2022: A Year in Review
Join BurlingtonGreen for a full day of action for the planet at Burlington Centre including: Bring your e-waste and other unique waste to the drive-thru where volunteers will accept: Date and Location Outdoors: Saturday, Oct. 15 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Burlington Centre Parking Lot, 777 Guelph Line (at Guelph Line/Fairview Street) More … More Local Action for the Planet Event
Transportation (gas/diesel-powered vehicles) is the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in Burlington. To help combat this, the City partnered with BurlingtonGreen, a local non-profit environmental organization, to complete our first community based Electric Mobility Strategy. It was important to work with an organization like BurlingtonGreen to develop a community-based plan and engage with … More Electric and Sustainable Mobility in Burlington
It’s that time of year again with the last few carefree summer days and the return to routines. For those of you responsible for school aged children, you may be hearing increased groans or anxiety about the prospect of returning to school while at the other end of the spectrum, perhaps excitement about reconnecting with … More Back to School Eco-Friendly Tips
Did you know that the City is working towards net carbon neutral operations by 2040? A pathway to achieve this Vision 2040 Strategic Plan goal is laid out in the Corporate Energy and Emissions Management Plan: 2019-2024 with progress reports presented to City Council every year. This post highlights some of the ongoing projects and … More Burlington leading by example to reduce carbon footprint
On July 12, 2022, Burlington City Council approved Burlington’s first climate adaptation plan called Climate Resilient Burlington (CRB): A Plan for Adapting to Our Warmer, Wetter and Wilder Weather. Background With this new plan, the City of Burlington is now addressing both aspects of climate change: Climate mitigation, or reducing greenhouse gas emissions, through the … More City Council Approves Climate Resilient Burlington: A Plan for Adapting to Our Warmer, Wetter and Wilder Weather
Take Action Burlington 