Take Action!
How to reduce environmental impact
01
Electrify your transportation
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There are so many opportunities to use clean, electric energy to get around: electric vehicles (EVs), electric bicycles (e-bikes), and various types of scooters or electric motorcycles are becoming available to buy or to rent/lease.
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View a recording of our Deep Dive session “Electric Vehicle Charging” in our video library by clicking the button below.
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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
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Compost fruit and vegetable peelings, egg shells, tea and coffee.
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Join ShareWaste with button below to find a compost bin in your neighbourhood or to offer your bin to share with others.
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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.
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Avoid 'compostable' bags which are not usually biodegradable in a backyard bin. Do the same for kitchen scraps - ditch the plastic.
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In an apartment with no compost bin? Vermicompost with worms. Contact the Replenish Refillery in Summerland for a course and supplies.
03
Xeriscape Your Yard
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Lawns use lots of water. Replace lawns with drought-tolerant plants and xeriscape materials. Use micro-irrigation if irrigation is required.
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Enjoy lower cost and less maintenance work (no fertilizers or pesticides).
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Reduce pollution and create a wildlife habitat. Native plants, shrubs, and trees offer a familiar and varied habitat for local wildlife.
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Get inspired by visiting the Okanagan Xeriscape website with button below for more information about native plants.
04
Convert to Electric Yard Equipment
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Lawn equipment is responsible for 12 percent of all carbon monoxide emissions, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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Each gas lawn mower in use adds more than 85 decibels to noise pollution levels.
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Be nice to nature and to your neighbours – convert to electric yard equipment.
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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
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Get an energy audit of your home and find out how to access funding sources for upgrades and conversions.
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Install an electric heat pump, reduce your carbon footprint, and start saving money.
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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.
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View a recording of our Deep Dive session “Geothermal Exchange” in our video library with button below.
06
Reject Fossil Gas
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Fossil Gas, also called natural gas by those who promote it, is a major source of methane which contributes to climate change.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Join climate justice organizations, attend protests and share your concern for our planet with your friends, local elected leaders, and on social media.
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Write a letter to the editor about important issues: tree canopy, building codes, heat pump rebates, zoning, safe cycling, walkable communities.
