Climate Change Mitigation

Climate change mitigation is about reducing greenhouse gas emissions from human activities.

Canada has committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050. This will require systemic changes but you can help too.

Take Part in Community Action

• Vote for candidates that represent your climate values. Federal, provincial, and municipal governments are integral players in addressing climate change.
• Get involved in municipal planning and community-building initiatives. Use the citizen’s guide to land use planning to learn how you can get involved in planning and building your community.
  • Advocate for policies and action in your community that:
    • Create more active transportation infrastructure (e.g., sidewalks, bicycle paths, crosswalks, etc.) and reduce the number of motor vehicle trips that are taken
    • Create more greenspaces and parks
    • Plant more trees and protect wetlands
    • Encourage composting
    • Encourage greater use of renewable energy
• Get involved in local groups that are taking action (e.g., supporting youth action, planting trees, maintaining trails, organizing active transportation activities, composting, etc.).

Remember Heat, Fleet, and Eat

• Electrify your appliances and tools.
  • Using a heat-pump is one option to address greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions from heating and cooling your home. Switch from appliances and tools that burn fossil fuels to appliances that run on electricity.
• Use active transportation, public transit, ride sharing or electric/hybrid vehicles.
• Eat more plants, reduce food waste and increase your composting.
  • Plant-rich diets have the potential to lower GHG emissions. Public Health has shared a series of cookbooks from the Guelph Family Health Study that will help you include more plants and prevent food waste.  
  • Diverting food and organic waste from landfills can greatly decrease household and municipal GHG emissions. Visit Love Food Hate Waste for hacks, tips and guidance.  Check with your municipality to see what composting options are available.
  • Understand the difference between a best before date vs. an expiry date so you can reduce food waste (and save on your grocery bill at the same time). A food may not be at optimal freshness but can still be safe to eat past its best before date.

Use the Climate Hero calculator to assess your carbon footprint and work on making some changes to reduce it.