Take Action!
How to reduce environmental impact
01
Electrify your transportation
-
Electric vehicles (EVs), electric bicycles (e-bikes), and various types of scooters or electric motorcycles are becoming available to buy or to rent/lease.
-
Other green transportation includes walking, carpooling or taking public transit - none of which significantly impact your wallet.
-
View a recording of our Deep Dive session “Electric Vehicle Charging” in our video library by clicking the button below.
-
Take advantage of government rebates to purchase your EV and to install an EV charger at home. Click button below for details.
02
Compost Plant-based Kitchen Scraps
-
Compost fruit and vegetable peelings, egg shells, tea and coffee.
-
Join ShareWaste with button below to find a compost bin in your neighbourhood or to offer your bin to share with others.
-
Fold used newspaper into an upside down pirate's hat for composting kitchen scraps. That can go right into the compost with the food scraps.
-
Avoid 'compostable' bags which are not usually biodegradable in a backyard bin.
-
In an apartment with no compost bin? Vermicompost with worms. Contact the Replenish Refillery in Summerland for a course and supplies.
-
If you are in an apartment or do not want to keep the compost yourself, consider dropping it off at the Impactfull Refillery in Penticton for just $1.
03
Xeriscape Your Yard
-
Lawns use lots of water. Replace lawns with drought-tolerant plants and xeriscape materials. Use micro-irrigation if irrigation is required.
-
Enjoy lower cost and less maintenance work (no fertilizers or pesticides).
-
Reduce pollution and create a wildlife habitat. Native plants, shrubs, and trees offer a familiar and varied habitat for local wildlife.
-
Get inspired by visiting the Okanagan Xeriscape website with button below for more information about native plants.
04
Convert to Electric Yard Equipment
-
Lawn equipment is responsible for 12 percent of all carbon monoxide emissions, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
-
Each gas lawn mower adds more than 85 decibels to noise pollution levels.
-
Be nice to nature and to your neighbours – convert to electric yard equipment.
-
Electric mowers, trimmers, chain saws, and leaf blowers are quiet, clean, and economical. They require next to no maintenance and do not need to be winterized.
05
Install a Heat Pump
-
Get an energy audit of your home and find out how to access funding sources for upgrades and conversions.
-
Install an electric heat pump, reduce your carbon footprint, and start saving money.
-
With button below, access our page to learn more heat pumps, how to obtain grants, and what type of system will works best for you.
-
View a recording of our Deep Dive session “Geothermal Exchange” in our video library with button below.
06
Reject Fossil Gas
-
Fossil Gas, also called natural gas by those who promote it, is a major source of methane which contributes to climate change.
-
Fossil gas used in buildings for heating or cooking contributes to various health hazards. There a better alternatives such as electric heat pumps and induction cooking. Watch our Deep Dive session titled “Cooking with Gas?” with button below.
-
Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) is a form of methane and other chemical components originating from the decomposition of bio-waste. See our bulletin about RNG with one button, and learn about the nature of RNG with the third button.
-
Fortis BC intends to build an additional fossil gas pipeline along Naramata Bench. Click the last button to join our campaign and stop this controversial project.
07
Raise Your Voice
-
Join climate justice organizations, attend protests and share your concern for our planet with your friends, local elected leaders, and on social media.
-
Write a letter to the editor about important issues: tree canopy, building codes, heat pump rebates, zoning, safe cycling, walkable communities.
