Among the resources on the Live Green Toronto website are tips on how to create a garden to attract pollinating species, as well as information on the PollinateTO grant program.
Among the resources on the Live Green Toronto website are tips on how to create a garden to attract pollinating species, as well as information on the PollinateTO grant program.
You separate your waste. Compost in one bin, recyclables in another. You ride on public transit, or walk, rather than drive. You turn off the lights when you leave a room and watch your thermostat. When you go shopping, you make informed decisions.
And while may you feel you have a handle on your carbon footprint, recent events — an early forest fire season and scientists proclaiming 2023 the warmest year on record — might leave you wondering if you could do more for the environment. But what does that look like?
“One of the things we hear is that people understand climate change, they understand the impacts,” said James Nowlan. “But they then ask, ‘What actions can I take?’”
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Nowlan is the executive director of the environment and climate division at the City of Toronto, which operates Live Green Toronto. It is a an online site where you can learn about the city’s environment and climate initiatives, as well as resources, activities and programs that individuals, property owners and businesses can access to be greener.
“It pulls together all the different possibilities and opportunities that people can do and participate in individually and as groups,” he said. “People understand historical environmental actions like recycling and taking public transit, and what we are trying to do is help people see how other actions they can take on a daily basis also have a benefit.”
Among the information on the Live Green Toronto website is advice on water conservation, how to cut down on food waste and textile recycling, how to receive and plant a free tree, and information on grants, like PollinateTO which supports community-led projects to create or expand pollinator or rain gardens.
It also has details on how you can get involved in Clean Toronto Together, an Earth Day initiative the takes place this weekend to help remove litter from city parks, beaches and public spaces.
Speak up
“Absolutely, there are ways to do more or go deeper into what you are doing,” said Sarah Buchanan. She is a campaigns director at Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA). Founded more than 30 years ago, it advocates to find solutions for Toronto’s urban environmental problems to create a green, healthy and equitable city.
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“It’s good to take action as an individual and it is important for us to take steps in our own lives, but it is also important to recognize that there are broader forces at work and individual action is not all you can do,” she said.
“There are circumstances out there sometimes that do make it difficult for individuals to feel empowered. What we do at TEA is to help people take steps to advocate to governments to take more action — and that can be an empowering thing for folks who are wondering what more they can do.”
Among the ideas she recommends are finding people who care about the same issues as you, to attend local meetings and public consultation sessions, or make a phone call or send an email to a local politician to express your opinions and concerns. You can even start by talking to people in your apartment building or condo complex to see if they feel the same way about an issue, such as dedicated transit or bike lanes.
“As an individual you can speak up and let the city know you want them to pass a regulation when they are asking for public opinions,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to speak up. You might be surprised about how few people who support something do actually speak up.”
Emily Alfred works with Buchanan at TEA and specializes in issues around waste management. As an example, Alfred said that in March a city bylaw came into effect that gave customers the right to be served in cafes using their own reusable cup. Now TEA is working to have that bylaw expanded so reusable dishes are provided to customers at eateries, like fast food franchises.
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“We really need people’s voices to help make a difference and get those solutions over the line, because if no one speaks up on the ‘for’ side, those things can get delayed or bogged down,” she said. “Use your voice, especially when it is something that is extremely local. Your voice is going to matter so much more.”
Nowlan said another way to use your voice is, for example, joining your condo’s board or the tenant association in your building. Once you are on it you can look at what opportunities exist to help make your building more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
“We try to help people to understand the big things they can do but also the little things they can do,” Nowlan said about Live Green Toronto. “All actions matter, and a little action done by three million people becomes a big action. Small actions all contribute to the environment issues we are trying to solve, and they are all important.”
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