As part of meeting our international commitments under the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change, Canadians are being asked to take the One-Tonne Challenge. We are each being challenged to reduce our annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by one tonne.

How? Use less energy. Conserve water and resources. Reduce waste.

Fewer emissions means protecting our climate and having cleaner air and healthier communities. And saving energy puts more money in your pocket.We can all reduce our personal contribution to smog and global warming (and our energy bills) by taking a few simple actions.

Quick fixes

• Walk, cycle or take transit.
• Use sunlight wisely. Close shades and blinds during the summer. In the winter, let sun in during the day, but close them at night to reduce heat loss.
• Hang dry your clothes.
• Turn the thermostat down while you’re asleep or away for the day during the winter.
• Unplug unnecessary electricity-using devices like that old refrigerator in the basement. Cell phone chargers and remote control devices suck power even when they’re not in use.

Simple Low-Cost Actions

• Caulk and weather-strip. Seal doors, windows, where plumbing comes through walls, and ceiling-mounted lighting fixtures.
• Buy compact fluorescent light bulbs. They use a quarter as much energy as an ordinary light bulb, and last five to ten times longer.
• Install a low-flow showerhead - you can shower just as long but use less hot water.
• Super-seal your windows for the winter with clear plastic sheeting (available at hardware stores).

Invest in the Future

• Increased insulation and stopping drafts will improve the comfort of your home, as well as saving energy. Green$aver can help by conducting an energy audit of your home that could qualify you for a rebate from the federal government.
• Look for the Energy Star label when you buy a new appliance or light fixture. It tells you the product uses less energy.
• Go Green: Buy a share in the next wind turbine being put up by the Windshare cooperative. Or install a solar or wind energy system on your roof and produce your own power (for info on available systems, go to www.electricitychoices.org)
• Contact your elected officials and ask them what they are doing to promote transit, energy efficiency and green power.

For more information, go the the federal government's One-Tonne Challenge web-site.

TEA would like to thank Environment Canada for its support for our educational work on smog and climate change.