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12 uw ° =z = Ss = The IFP - Halton Hills | Thursday, April 21, 2022 BECKY POLLOCK Column Earth Day is a chance to make resolutions, just like New Year's Day. The best part is that positive actions have a ripple effect — bet- r planet, better health, better future. While we ur- gently need more action from governments, indus- try and the investment sec- tor, I still believe individual actions make a difference and I am inspired by social movements in history that have changed the world. e 1s changing the world in the Your busted bling & hardware supply partner theifp.ca EARTH DAY: MAKE AN EARTH DAY RESOLUTION worst way, with extreme heat, food shortages, ris- ing oceans, loss of species and human = suffering. Canada has some of the highest per capita emis- sions but has done less than many other nations for clean energy, either by phasing out dirty fuel or creating more resilient communities that can Ly ki about. taking action on cli- mate change — it's their fu- ture. They want our family to watch how much we drive or bike, how muchen- rgy we use, how much we buy new and how much plastic we use. Thinking about how much consump- tion there is in our society, our wants versus needs, has made us feel a responsi- to make our environ- mental footprint smaller. After asking about it, my kids found that wash- ing in cold water saves half a ton of carbon dioxide emissions. Using a drying rack in winter and a clothesline at other times of the year is less conve- nient, but saves another half-ton. We don't think about how it has created new habits or saves money on energy — we just notice the smell of sunshine! Our kids asked us to or- der an electric vehicle for Christmas instead of pre- sents and so we are saving by making holidays sim- pler, avoiding purchasing things that we don't really need and lowering our en- ergy bills with smart me- ters and the efficient use of appliances, lights and the DELIVERY SERVICES Leathertown Lumber wants to make it easier for your build to get started and we understand that not everyone has a large truck available to them. We offer delivery service at a reasonable rate, locally as well as long distance, 6 days a week. Onsite forklift is available. To arrange delivery of your building materials visit us in-store, or call. 264 Main St. North Acton, Ontario L 1w9 Ph: 519-853-1970 ° Fax: 519-853-2542 f furnace. The electric car will save five tons of green- house gas _ emissions (GHGs) and wil bes become @ a new norm: a gen- eration. Running a gas-powered Jawn mower for an hour emits the same GHGs as driving 550 kilometres and more toxic pollution than idling 40 new cars for an hour. We now us trie mower and leave half yur yard unmowed for bees and butterflies. Some of the hardest habits to change are about food. Hundreds of studies confirm that the impacts of clearing land, raising, packaging and shipping meat globally has a mas- sive impact on our planet. Beef, dairy and other foods we love are now looked at in a new way. Can we less, buy local? Budget to buy organic? Can beef be- come an exception, like my kids ask for their birthday dinners? While we have added vegetarian recipes, more fish and low-meat dishes, our culture pushes convenience foods with major health consequenc- how we look at these "treats" and think- ing about gourmet, local or homemade foods in new ways, we are helping the earth. If 60 per cent of of food produced is wast ted at homes, restaur grocery stores, aa alae we just buy less, eat what we buy and compost scraps into soil? Making resolutions once a year makes every day Earth Day. Our actions show governments companies that we want a better planet and are will- ing to change. What we buy and how we live is all part of the global ripple effect. Dr. Becky Pollock, exec- utive director of the Geor- i Mnidoo Gamii ith gian Bay to uphold the UNESCO designation for the region with programs for education, conserva- tion, climate and culture. Visit gbbr.ca to learn more. TIPS FROM THE DAVID SUZUKI FOUNDATION +A house with a furnace is like a car that idles all day. Swap your furnace for a heat pump, which works by extracting heat from ‘one location and transferring it to another. eal a a pgammable aie vou gas stove for an electric stove, which will also lower indoor air pollution. - Unplug computers, TVs and other electronics when you're not. using them. - Wash clothes in cold water. Hang-dry your clothes when you can and use dryer balls when you can't. + Look for the Energy Star label when buying new appliances. - Winterize your home to prevent heat from escaping and try to keep it cool in the summer without an air conditioner. + Change to energy-efficient light bulbs. Get a home or workplace energy audit to identify where you can make the most energy-saving. gains “Give Where You Live” Itis April and time for the “Give Where You Live” campaign in support of with a cancer die You can donate in a number of ways; © On line ‘single’ or ‘monthly’ donations through our website at www.cancerassistance.org/donate/ © Mail a cheque to the CAShh office © Donation drop off at the CAShh Office Mailbox (contact the office for location) Did you know? ‘© CAShh provides free ind practical Halton Hills. to our clients. ‘* We do not receive any government funding nor are we associated with any cancer organization. © We rely on our April Campaign to generate a large portion of our income for the year. Thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers and generous donors in the community of Halton Hills. We cannot do what we do without you! www.cancerassistance.org DONATE TODAY 222 Mountainview Road North, Georgetown, ON L7G 3R2 Phone 905-702-8886 ¢ Email: helphope@cancerassistance.org Charitable Org #898404918 RROOO1