Get Informed, Take Action, Pass it On!

We know that Canadians understand the importance of taking action on climate change and supporting the development of renewable and sustainable forms of energy. We also know — because you’ve told us — that you really do want to know how you can act on climate change.

What Can Canadians Do?

In March, we called on you to consider taking the simple act of changing a 60 watt incandescent light bulb to a 12 watt compact fluorescent bulb, an action that can save 48 watts of electricity and the global warming pollution associated with that energy. Actions like this are a great first step, and we know that many active and engaged Canadians have already done this. But what’s needed to respond to the climate change issue is a national effort, an economy-wide transition to a more sustainable energy future.

That's why we also encouraged you to call on politicians to introduce a strategic lighting initiative that would phase out incandescent light bulbs. In April, the federal government introduced a policy that includes a phase out of incandescent bulbs. The phase out will reduce the energy Canadians expend on lighting our homes, offices, schools and other areas This will save millions of watts of electricity and cut the associated climate change pollution.

While we can't claim that our campaign led to this decision, we do know that each of your letters helped to make politicians aware that taking action on climate change — both through decisions we make in our daily lives and on a national level — is in the interest of Canadians.

The phase out of incandescent light bulbs is an important step, but Canada needs to go much further in reducing emissions of greenhouse gas pollutants. Canadians have the desire and willingness to take action, but we need to see a great deal more courage, creativity and leadership from our political leaders in implementing actions that will result in significant greenhouse gas emission reductions and support the transition to a sustainable energy future.

Understanding the issues, taking action in our own lives, and supporting further efforts to increase the sustainability of our society — this is the idea behind our campaign to get informed, take action, pass it on…

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Pembina has an abundance of web-resources, reports, media releases and Op-Eds that contain ideas, strategies and even practical solutions for you to ponder.

Find more resources on:

Climate Change

Nuclear Power

Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency

Buy Wind Power

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Additional information and resources on energy issues, climate change, electricity generation and much more are available by browsing through our websites, including: www.oilsandswatch.org, www.greeneconomics.ca, www.greenlearning.ca and others, as well as searching our Publications, Op-Ed's or Media Releases.

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Baby Steps… Changing Light Bulbs

• Change to compact fluorescent light bulbs and save 80% on lighting energy.
• Send a letter to the manager of your lighting retail store asking that they carry more fixtures that use compact fluorescent lamps.

Note: Compact florescent bulbs contain trace amounts of mercury. While the amount is so small they do not legally require special disposal, it is recommended that spent bulbs be taken to a local recycling or safe disposal facility. Spent bulbs should be stored unbroken until they are processed.

More Information on Compact Fluorescent Lighting

• NRCan Office of Energy Efficiency: Fact Sheet on Compact Fluorescent Lighting
• EPA Energy Star: Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
  
  

Getting Serious… Improving Fuel Efficiency

• Choose to walk, ride or use public transit first; choose to drive a fuel efficient vehicle (5.3 litres per 100 km / 45 mpg, or better).
• Send a letter to your MP and ask that Canada legislate improved fuel efficiency to keep pace with California standards — a SUV can use 400% more fuel than the most efficient car!
• Send a letter to an auto CEO and ask them to make cool cars that are much more fuel efficient.

Keen to be Green… Buying Green Energy

• Buy green energy, or renewable energy certificates (RECs) and tell all of your friends about it.
• Send a letter to your MP and demand that Canada create a national sustainable energy strategy that includes dramatically increasing the share of low-impact renewable energy supplied through new power generation.
• Send a letter to the CEO of your favorite company and ask that they buy renewable energy.

Get more ideas on ways to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency from our One Less Tonne tool.

Taking it One Step Beyond…

Why is it important to pass on the message that individual Canadians are taking action, but that we want to see more?

Once there was a teacher who tired of his students’ excuses for missed assignments. On the top right corner of the blackboard in his classroom he wrote the words “No whining.”

We’re not sure if this was a good educational strategy, but it is precisely what we need to start telling our federal and provincial politicians.

Tell them we care, and that we’re making changes, but it’s time for them to stop acting like climate change is a personal problem that a few keen Canadians can solve by themselves.

Demand action. Tell politicians to immediately stop blaming each other for the problem and get on with real solutions that reduce emissions and speed the transition to clean, green, sustainable energy.

Solutions that begin building a sustainable economy that is competitive in the carbon constrained global market.

We no longer want our leaders to argue about percentages and whose fault it is, we want them to reduce emissions starting today.

Resources for Passing It On…

Contact Your Elected Officials

Tell Friends and Colleagues