Help fight climate change

To mitigate climate change, we must reduce the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that are in the atmosphere. Taking action to reduce our emissions and fight climate change is necessary, and something we can all take part in. By making both small and large lifestyle changes, we can collectively reduce our emissions or our carbon footprint.

5 ways you can REDUCE your carbon footprint:

• heat and cool your home with efficient and renewable energy like heat- pumps, geothermal and solar panels
• make climate-smart transportation and commuting choices like walking, biking, public transit or carpooling
• purchase a hybrid or electric vehicle and charge it at home overnight during off-peak hours
• reduce your food footprint by purchasing local and remembering to waste less food through meal planning, saving leftovers and composting what’s left
• reduce your home’s energy consumption by purchasing energy efficient appliances and enrolling in Save Energy NB Programs

The impacts of climate change can include increased frequency of rainfall and flooding events, severity of extreme weather events, and hotter and colder temperatures. Taking steps to prepare for these impacts is called climate change adaptation.

Climate change adaptation is about making well informed forward-looking decisions that take into consideration future climate conditions. Some of these activities are things you can do as an individual or family, and others are the kind of things that need to be worked on as a group, with support from and/or in collaboration with government, communities, developers, non-profit organizations and others.   

Climate change adaptation is all about prevention, preparedness and building resiliency.

5 ways you can PREPARE yourself and your community:

• direct rainwater away from your home using downspouts, landscaping, and rain gardens
• learn about areas impacted by climate change and climate change adaptation planning in your community
• prepare for extreme weather events with a 72-hour emergency kit
• remove hazardous trees on your property that could damage your home during storm events
• take steps to keep cool in hot weather

Becoming a climate change champion means learning about the climate change work that our neighbours, community organizations and governments are already undertaking and building from these to increase climate change action and awareness.

We must become active supporters and leaders of the climate change initiatives in our communities.  Rising to the challenge of climate change is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves and our communities now.

5 ways you can CHAMPION the need to take action

• educate yourself on the need for climate action and use reliable sources of climate information
• get involved in your community’s Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Plans
• reduce your household’s carbon footprint and discuss carbon reduction initiatives at your workplace
• talk to your friends and family about climate change and build a community of champions
• volunteer for and celebrate climate-friendly initiatives in your community