 |
|
1. Help
nature
Without nature, we are nothing.
Nature is the provider
of all our resources, and home to all species. It is a
source of comfort, and of sustenance.
We can all help nature
in our own ways, by picking up litter, planting trees,
protecting natural areas, restoring degraded areas, making a
butterfly garden, or even by growing flowers on our
balconies.
|
|
 |
|
2. Save
waterWater
is life.
So much of our lives
revolves around oceans, lakes and rivers -- for food,
drinking water, power, sanitation, recreation, and much
more.
We need to protect our
lakes and watersheds, and conserve water in our homes,
yards, businesses, and in our urban design. |
|
 |
|
3. Save
energy
Energy is power. Pure and simple.
It is the power to
live comfortably and to create a strong economy. But
power corrupts, and the side effects of an era of cheap
energy include urban sprawl, climate change, and economic
fragility. We must change before change is forced upon
us.
The society that can
find a high standard of living within a low-energy diet will
stand the best chance of weathering an energy crisis.
|
|
 |
|
4. Use
green power
Green power respects nature.
All power
sources have an environmental impact, but renewable sources
have far less of an impact than nuclear or fossil fuels.
From
community power projects to rooftop solar and geothermal,
the ability to produce power is coming closer to home.
Invest
in energy conservation first, and then you'll find the added
cost of greening your electricity bill is within reach.
...more |
|
 |
|
5.
Drive less
Ditch the car? Not an option for everyone perhaps, but
transportation accounts for almost one-third of our
greenhouse gas emissions.
We have to find better
ways of moving ourselves and goods around, and reducing the
need to travel great distances.
Where you live, work,
and play, are key factors in your ability to reduce your
personal car-dependency, which leads us to the next
challenge... |
|
 |
|
6. Eat
smart
Food, glorious food!
The more value we
place on our food, the healthier we will be.
Grow your own, pick
your own, support local farmers, buy organic, choose
sustainable, and eat more vegetarian meals.
Let's use our prime
farmland to grow food, not houses.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
7. Waste
less
Don't trash the planet!
Remember the 3Rs:
reduce, reuse, and recycle.
With the convenience
of recycling, we often overlook the importance of waste
reduction and reuse. The less stuff we bundle and ship
around the planet for recycling, the better.
Choose durability over
disposabilty, avoid overpackaging, compost your greens, and
think 3Rs when shopping.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
8.
Prevent pollution
Our responsibility is
to leave nature as clean as we found it.
As individuals in our
homes, or as businesses, we should seek to avoid harming the
planet with our hazardous products and wastes.
Go toxic free -- in
your home, yard, school, and business.
|
|
 |
|
9.
Buy green
Make change happen.
We've already changed
the auto industry, and we've created a market for local
food. The more we invest in a green economy, the
sooner the whole world will change.
Make a commitment to
one percent of your income as your personal budget for
spending a little extra on green products.
Invest in a conserver
economy.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
10. Live
local
Think outside the box.
Our homes are our biggest
investment, but the community we live in is every bit as
important.
Enjoy your community,
support your local business, arts and culture, and pitch in
to help make your neighbourhood a great place to live.
A green future depends
on our ability to create vibrant urban villages. |
|
|
|
You'll find these ten points reflected in
all our programs under We Conserve. It's how we have
organized our movement, developed campaigns, and
designed our
Great Green
Directory. It's how we can help
you become a better conserver, and how, together, we
will transform Ontario into a conserver society. |
|
|
|
|
