Anne Makhoul

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 30 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

I will plant 1 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.

I will take a walk for 20 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

I will spend 25 minutes a day outside practicing or playing sports.

I will spend at least 5 minutes finding out if my city, region, province, or country offers incentives for retrofitting existing buildings.

I will set up an in-person or virtual tour of a green roof in my city, and ask about the codes and process for installing a green roof.

I will fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities that have been wasting up to 11 liters of water per faucet every day.

I will spend at least 5 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.

I will spend 5 minutes learning about how to make my local arena, community centre, sports complex or home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.

I will use my spending power to reward companies leading in creating or purchasing green energy and incentivize others to invest more in green energy.

I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters).

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

I will switch to washing my clothes in cold water, saving up to 725 kgs of CO2 over the course of the next year.

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option.

I will replace 1 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

Organizations have a responsibility to make sustainable business decisions. To understand how to improve sustainable practices, it’s important to start with understanding the current impact. I will share the Tradewater Business Carbon Calculator with my organization.

I will calculate the carbon emissions associated with my household and consider how different lifestyle choices could reduce our carbon footprint and our impact on the environment.

I will take a walk for 20 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

I will spend at least 5 minutes researching other sustainable Transportation Solutions.

I will spend at least 25 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).

Instead of buying new equipment, I will swap or buy used equipment to minimize waste and save money.

I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

I will start a compost bin where I live.

I will reduce food waste and save money by prepping for 1 meal(s) each day, only buying the ingredients I need.

I will visit my nearest farm to find out who produces my food, and will learn about the quality of life of those around the world who produce my food in order to make better choices when I shop.

I will collect all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill.

I will start a recycling program at my workplace or school. If a recycling program exists, I will advocate for ways to improve and expand it.

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 1.5kg a month or 18.6kg a year by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions and opting out of junk mail.

Instead of my community throwing out cans and bottles, I will organize an empties drive to raise money and recycle.

I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

I will research what it would take to replace my arena's fossil fuel powered zamboni with an electric or renewable energy zamboni.

I will spend at least 2 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.

I will spend 10 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.