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
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
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
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!
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
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
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.
Earlier this summer, 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 last in a series of five blog posts … More Take Action Burlington: An Update on Our Local Environment – Waste
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
Summer is finally here! Wasn’t it a pleasant surprise that our first official weekend of summer truly felt like summer? I’m sure those of you with backyard pools finally enjoyed a swim. While backyard pools are a lot of fun and create lifelong memories, it’s important to follow some basic environmentally-friendly actions. Good eco-friendly pool, … More Eco-friendly tips to maintain your pool, spa and hot tub this summer
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
Are you a creative and environmentally minded person? If so, this might appeal to you. The Halton Green Screens Amateur Film Festival is about getting our local community involved in environmental stewardship. Who can participate? The Film Festival is open to all residents of Halton, of all ages, including post-secondary students who are currently away … More Halton Green Screens Amateur Film Festival 2019
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
Happy New Year! Did you make a resolution for 2019? Now that we’re in the second week of the year, have you kept your resolution? Let’s face it; many of us make such grand resolutions that they’re difficult to keep. What if we made a resolution to do one thing? Since this is an environmental … More Do one thing
‘Tis the season for festive lights, gatherings with friends and family, and creating new memories. Many of us celebrate by exchanging gifts, which can produce a lot of waste. Have you ever given or received a gift that has so much excess packaging you actually need to use tools to get it out of the … More Create memories, not garbage
The Halton Climate Collective (HCC) is hosting a meeting about the challenges, opportunities and ways to help our community deal with a changing climate. In Burlington, this includes more rainfall over a shorter time frame with the potential of flooding and more heat waves. What can you do? Join us as we share ideas to … More Let’s talk about climate change
Did you know that this week is Waste Reduction Week (WRW) in Canada? To celebrate, this month’s blog posts are dedicated to actions you can take to keep your ‘stuff’ out of the landfill. Check out my last post if you missed it about how to recycle child car and booster seats. Now that the … More Recycle your VHS and media tapes
Did you know that it’s almost Waste Reduction Week (WRW) in Canada? To celebrate WRW the third week of October, this month’s “Take Action Burlington” posts are dedicated to what you can do to keep your old things out of the landfill. Child car and booster seats Unless you have little ones in your life … More Don’t throw out your child car and booster seats. Recycle them!
It’s hard to believe that another school year is about to begin. With students gearing up to go back to school next week, it seems like a good time to remind those of you doing school drop-off and pick up by vehicle to please turn your engine off while you wait. If “idling gets you … More A back to school reminder for drivers. Turn your engines off while you wait.
Are you enjoying your summer staycation in your backyard pool? Summer started a little late this year, but July has brought great pool weather. While backyard pools are a lot of fun and create lifelong memories, it’s important to follow some basic environmentally-friendly actions. Before providing tips about pool maintenance, please see the next section … More Enviro tips to maintain your pool this summer
Many Burlington area construction companies now realize that going above and beyond for the environment is a win-win-win: It makes good business sense as it can improve their reputation, promote their business, and help their long-term success in the marketplace. If you’re a building contractor, helping the environment can: reduce your overall operating costs, improve … More Rethink your construction and demolition waste
It can be easy to look at the negative side of our environmental situation at times. You may hear things like, “When will our atmosphere have so many greenhouse gases that our weather patterns are no longer predictable?” This is what is called a negative tipping point. What if instead of looking at the situation … More Sustainable Hamilton Burlington recognizes leaders dedicated to a green economy
Are you planning to renovate your home? While many residents are excited about kitchen or bathroom renovations, what is often forgotten are the potential savings from less visually appealing upgrades such as added insulation and new high-performance windows. There are currently many programs offered through the Green Ontario Fund to help you save energy, make … More This spring take steps to increase your home’s energy efficiency
