Sandra Mandel

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

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 spend 10 minutes researching and identifying my favourite sport teams sponsors that are in the fossil fuel industry.

I will replace manual thermostats with programmable ones.

I will use an energy meter to monitor my energy use and identify opportunities to save power.

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

I will create a plan to and advocate for solar installation at my business, apartment building, or campus.

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

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

I will install an alternative energy system, such as solar electric systems or solar water heaters.

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 complete an online energy audit of my home or office and identify my next steps for saving energy.

I will fundraise to replace my arena's fossil fuel powered zamboni with an electric or renewable energy zamboni, which would save up to 667kgs of CO2 per month.

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

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 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.

Individual actions are important, but people and organizations working together can make a real impact. I will share a carbon calculator with a friend and invite them to calculate the carbon footprint of their household.

If buying a plane ticket, I will also buy a carbon offset.

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 spend 20 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

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

If at all possible, I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

I will keep 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

I will sign up for a car-sharing service, or organize car sharing with my neighbors, to cut down on the number of vehicles on the road.

I will spend at least 60 minutes researching and advocating for a comprehensive high speed rail network in my country/region.

I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact neighborhood walkability and express my support for better walking infrastructure.

I will spend at least 60 minutes researching other sustainable Transportation Solutions.

I will test drive an electric bike at a local distributor to see if it makes sense to use one in place of my car, or to extend the area I can cover by bike.

I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact bike routes and express my support for better biking infrastructure.

I will spend at least 90 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus to reduce pollution in the environment and in local communities.

Historically, marginalized and low-income communities live closer to landfills, contributing to a multitude of health problems. I will find out how I can limit single-use items and do my best to limit the waste I generate. I will keep 3 container(s) out of the landfill each day.

Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

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