Lowering our carbon footprint comes in many shapes and forms and is a crucial step to reduce the impacts of climate change. Actions and activities can be big or small, but all are important. Below are some examples of everyday changes we can apply to our lives to live more sustainably. Big actions: Purchasing a … More Share your Switch contest!
In celebration of Canadian Environment Week (May 31 to June 5), Clean Air Day (June 2) and World Environment Day (June 5), let’s make a commitment to do better, environmentally speaking. There are so many actions we can take such as cleaning up after ourselves and others by not littering the environment, becoming better informed … More Idling Gets You Nowhere. Turn Your Engines OFF!
Did you know that Burlington City Council approved a Climate Action Plan in 2020 setting a pathway to become a net carbon neutral community by 2050? What does this mean? In simple terms, we want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced within our community as much as possible and to ‘subtract’ any remaining emissions by … More Climate Change – It’s not just about City Hall (but we can help!)
The Burlington Sustainable Development Committee is partnering with the Burlington Public Library (BPL) to present a free virtual event called “Could Your Next Vehicle Be Electric?” Brian Millar of Plug’n Drive will speak about the benefits of making your next vehicle electric with an opportunity for a live Q&A period for participants. Event Details Monday, … More FREE Event: Could Your Next Vehicle Be Electric?
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
International Walk to School Month (IWALK) is an annual celebration of active transportation, such as walking and rolling, taking place around the world every October. Hundreds of Ontario schools participate in IWALK each year, with many holding their events on IWALK Day – Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019. Help to grow the active school travel movement … More October is International Walk to School Month
It’s hard to believe that another school year is here and with it comes a friendly reminder about idling. In an ideal world, it would be great if your kids walked or rolled to school. However, if you are doing school drop-off and pick up by vehicle, please turn your engine off while you wait. … More A back to school reminder for drivers: Turn your engines off while you wait.
On June 17, 2019 City of Burlington sustainability staff presented Take Action Burlington: An Update on Our Local Environment to Council. This report provides an overview on the state of Burlington’s environment and highlights local sustainability efforts and actions that can be taken. This is the third of five posts about the report. This post … More Take Action Burlington: An Update on Our Local Environment – Air
On June 17, 2019 City of Burlington sustainability staff presented the Take Action Burlington – An Update on Our Local Environment to Council. This report provides an overview on the state of Burlington’s environment including information on local sustainability efforts and actions that can be taken. This is the second in a series of five … More Take Action Burlington: An Update on Our Local Environment – Land
On June 17, 2019 City of Burlington sustainability staff presented Take Action Burlington – An Update on Our Local Environment to Council. This report provides an overview on the state of Burlington’s environment including information on local sustainability efforts and actions that can be taken. This is the first of five posts about the report. … More Take Action Burlington – An Update on Our Local Environment
On Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019, Burlington’s City Council unanimously passed a motion to declare a climate emergency, joining over 400 local governments around the world. There were 12 delegations in support of the declaration – ten in person and two written. What is a climate emergency? A climate emergency helps to raise the profile that … More City of Burlington declares climate emergency
Twelve years ago, residents in Sydney, Australia created a movement by turning their lights off for one hour for climate change. This was the beginning of Earth Hour. Last year, 188 countries and territories celebrated Earth Hour. Earth Hour 2018-2020 is about our connection to nature and the impacts climate change will have on our … More Connect2Earth this Earth Hour
Are you interested in learning more about climate change and how cities like Burlington can take action? If yes, then you should consider attending the Cities in Action – Bay Area Climate Change Summit taking place from March 25 to 28, 2019 at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington. You can attend one, two or … More Cities in Action – Bay Area Climate Change Summit
Let’s face it, there are changes happening to our local environment. Freezing cold one day, spring-like temperatures the next. More intense rainstorms instead of trickling rain. Have you tried to make positive changes at home, school, or work, or how you move around the city to reduce your impact on the environment? We are updating … More Join Us in Planning for a Greener and Healthier Community
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