Drive less

In the fight against climate change, we need to replace our carbon-burning vehicles with cleaner energy options. Not ready to buy electric? Consider buying a hybrid, like a Prius which can cut your gas bill in half. If you mostly drive within the city, a plug-in hybrid can get most people to work and back just on the electric charge. Have you done more cycling and walking due to covid? How can you substitute some of your car trips for more active transportation options? Start once a week, and see how it goes.

What Is One Thing You Can Do?

What are you passionate about? Are you inspired by the latest technology? Do you try to get your 10,000 steps in daily? Would saving money through fuel efficiency interest you? Find something you are inspired by and make it a habit. Come back in a month and choose something else. You will be part of the wave of change that will make a difference. Everyone has something they can do.

  • Portrait of an elderly man with glasses and a friendly smile, wearing a maroon sweater and a collared shirt, against a plain background.

    I Drive a Hybrid

    Did you know that all the taxis in Winnipeg drive hybrids? It is much more cost effective because it is much more fuel efficient.

    I bought a Prius and I love knowing that I am reducing my carbon footprint every time I get in the car. - Mike

  • Close-up of a smiling woman with light blonde hair, glasses, and earrings, standing outdoors with a background of green foliage.

    I Cycle More Often

    I have always enjoyed cycling. You know that feeling like when Meg Ryan is riding down the mountain road in City of Angels? I don’t like going to the gym, so I cycle to do errands often. I found some great panniers so that I can cycle to shop at farmer’s market. - Mary Ann

  • A middle-aged man with white hair and a beard wearing glasses and a light blue shirt, standing outdoors near water with greenery in the background.

    I just got a PHEV

    After waiting 18 months for delivery of my plug in hybrid (Toyota Rav4 Prime) I am delighted. It charges overnight and provides 70-80 km of range on battery only before needing the regular engine. I drove around 3000 km before needing to fill up the first time. - Terry

  • A Shell gas station sign mounted on a tall white metal structure against a clear blue sky.

    A Conscious Consumer

    The companies you support also matters, or the companies I choose NOT to support. Sometimes it is easy to identify bad faith actors (e.g. Shell for Arctic Drilling and in court fighting emission reductions) So I choose to put these companies on my own personal ban list. - Bob M

  • A person walking on a wooden bridge wearing brown and white sneakers and dark jeans, with sunlight casting shadows.

    I Love To Walk

    When I moved to my new house, I noticed there was a dentist, a hair dresser and an optometrist in the neighborhood. I can now walk to my appointments instead of driving. It saves me time instead of driving across the city and I enjoy the walk. - Susanne

  • A green metro bus on a city street with a digital display indicating the bus is going to Inner Link via Brae Hospital, with a person on a motorcycle, cars, a traffic light, and urban buildings in the background.

    I Take Public Transit

    When taking transit with my son we always play a game. He gets my undivided attention and it makes the trip enjoyable.

    Taking the bus does take more time than a car, but we turn it into a bonding experience that we would not have if traveling in a car. - Pam

  • Green surface with a white partially visible or obscured electrical outlet or sign.

    Kona Brings Joy

    Last winter we got a fully electric Hyundai Kona. This car has a 550 km range in warm weather, so we can drive to Kitchener or Toronto from London and return on one charge. Our charge uses Ontario's green base electricity. We are super pleased with our electric car. - John L

  • A woman with long brown hair, wearing a black shirt, is plugging an electric vehicle into a charging station on a brick wall outside a building with large glass windows.

    Conversations on Electric Vehicles

    The Climate Reality Project Canada in collaboration with McGill University created The National Climate League Pod.

    Listen to their flagship episode on Electric Vehicles as they explore how to lead the change you want to see in your community.

Contribute To Systems Change

Individual action can only get us so far. Systems change is needed if we are to meet our climate targets. It can include advocating for more walkable neighborhoods, better snow clearing of sidewalks, protected bike lanes, and electric charging infrastructure. Contact your City Councillor, MPP and MP and let them know you support systems change.

  • Shadow of a person with a hat and glasses walking on a brick sidewalk at night.

    Advocate for Walkable Neighbourhoods

    What makes a great neighborhood? Having a local coffee shop or restaurant? Being able to walk to a park? Streets designed for walking and easy access to transit? All of this infrastructure needs to be intentional.

    The problem is that current zoning laws and other standards make it extremely challenging to build these neighborhoods. That needs to change. Talk to your City Councillor today.

    Read more here

  • City street scene with a green bike lane, a cyclist, pedestrians, and a city bus, with tall buildings and holiday decorations.

    Tell City Councillors You Support Bike Lanes

    Riding on busy and crowded streets can be a stressful experience for anyone riding a bicycle.

    Ridership rises when biking is easy, safe and comfortable. Protected bike lanes and protected intersections help make that a reality. We believe protected bike lanes should be the default option for any new bike lanes added to streets with posted speed limits of 40 km/hr or above.

    Read more here

  • A blue electric car is plugged into a charging station outdoors during daytime, with trees and a building in the background.

    Support Public Charging Infrastructure

    Now, however, with more than 350 new, feature-laden EV models to debut by 2025, with ranges that increasingly top 200 miles, attributes such as poor range and limited effectiveness pose less of a hurdle.

    Instead, if consumers purchase EVs at the expected rates in the next five to ten years, a lack of charging infrastructure could become an obstacle to EV adoption

    Read more here