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Small Changes Collectively Can Make a Big Impact
Small Changes Collectively Can Make a Big Impact
Many people don't believe their small changes can ultimately make a difference to our world and to climate change, but we challenge you to view this video. You will see how every one of us can make a difference.
https://youtu.be/kOfH54GjCVc?si=V5VG4qJKuLkZrael
Now let's get started: participate in our monthly challenge!
YOU too can make a difference.
Monthly Challenge Information
Each month we will challenge EAG members as well as CFUW members at large to participate in one of two types of challenges:
A direct challenge whereby the group member will have to undertake a task (e.g. not using paper towels for a month).
AND/OR
An informative challenge. This challenge is to engage in open discussion that may encourage others to try new methods that work. For instance, what are you doing or plan to do to consume less?
When submitting your response to the monthly challenge, please put in the subject line: MMM Challenge Response. (example: Nov Challenge response)
Most of all have fun, be creative, and please share. Each idea can make a difference!
Each participant has the chance of winning a monthly prize! 🏆
🌸 APRIL CHALLENCE 🪻
Spring Cleaning
"Have nothing in your homes that you do not know to be useful and believe to be beautiful"
…William Morris
Aah, the sound of spring; running water, the trickle of the melting snow and the sweet songs of the birds as they migrate back home for the summer. Spring is finally coming to Canada.
Along with spring is our annual tradition of Spring cleaning. This year, let's make a vested effort to take inventory and a conscious effort to incorporate environmental habits into our cleaning. Whether it's new products that are environmentally friendly to the environment with no parabens and no phosphates, or homemade natural recipes for cleaning products that may use baking soda, lemons, essential oils, etc. Let's do some research on how we can replace old chemicals with those that are both kinder and gentler to our homes and environment.
When cleaning out your closets, take a moment to think if you truly need your "stuff". Donate, share or use as rags. Don't mindlessly throw out. There are many ways to reuse clothes, items of furniture, etc., without sending them to the landfill.
Our challenge to you is:
List ways you will change your cleaning habits. Do an inventory of cleaners, chemicals and stuff that can be recycled and what you will replace them with that is both environmentally and health friendly. If you have a recipe you swear by that helps clean your home, please share. We are looking for ideas!!!!!
MARCH CHALLENGE
Spring is almost here!
Spring is just around the corner. For many of us, who winter in place, winter seems to never end. March can be long with continuous winter weather accompanied with rain and slush. It is important for our emotional as well as environmental health to get out and find ways to embrace the end of winter and the coming of spring. Embrace our outdoors, local stores and markets.
Our March Challenge is to tell us your favorite place within the the city and surrounding area. Let us know how you are embracing our local markets, stores and events. Staycations enable us to cut down on transportation emissions, get us out into our communities and embrace all that is local. Do you have a special hiking path, or a cute novelty store, or indoor market that offers produce, crafts, and food? Tell us how you buy local or where we can find interesting and fun things to do.
February Challenge
The month of love❤️,❤️ Yourself, ❤️ the 🌎
Up until now we have done challenges that are personal and are individual challenges. This month we introduce more of a collective challenge.
Advocacy for our neighbourhoods, communities and most importantly the earth. Please take the time to explore ways you can advocate for a cleaner, greener society. Leslie Baird introduces us to CAFES (Community Associations for Environmental Sustainablity ). Visit cafesottawa.ca to understand what they do and how they coordinate groups, research issues and monitor and advocate at city hall with a strong voice. They offer ZOOM meetings (Caucuses) and various other events that widen our knowledge of various initiatives throughout our region.
The mission of CAFES is to support effective environmental action in the local community and at the municipal level towards creating and safeguarding a more healthy and livable city.
In the past, Leslie attended the BESS (Battery Electricity Storage Systems Caucus) and the Tree and Green space Caucus in January and learned a lot.
Check out upcoming events:
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025
🥳
January Challenge
With every year brings a chance to reevaluate what we did, what we can do, and what we want to do.
There is a famous quote that says:
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference"
In 2025, we may have to remind ourselves of this quote repeatedly. But I bet we can change a lot of issues around Climate Change. From the smallest change (ie walking to the store vs driving) to much larger change ( i.e. being active in advocacy) we as individuals, members of EAG, citizens of Ottawa, Canada and the world, we can make a difference.
Therefore, the challenge for January is to do an individual "inventory". What can we do? How can you, I and us make a concerted effort towards pollution, climate change and our environment. List at least one thing you will "resolve" to commit to for the year.
My New Year's resolution: I plan to make Meatless Monday for my family a whole day of nutritious meatless meals. Breakfast, Lunch and dinner. The recipes that I'm planning on making will be found on the recipe page of this website.
Please send in your ideas. We'd like to hear everyone's thoughts and resolutions for the New Year.
🎁 December 2024 Challenge 🎄
Dear Santa,
This year I am on track to be the warmest on recorded record. I know that I am old, over 4.54 billion years but I don’t believe I’m hitting my elder years yet. My concern is the humans that inhabit the service whom I have trusted as a steward for all living creatures, and my beautiful habitats are failing me.
Just this year the global average temperature has risen 1.54 C above pre-industrial levels.
The past 10 years are the warmest on record and ocean heat is rising.
Extreme weather and climate events have led to massive economic and human loss.
I know most of your concerned citizens are worried and feel helpless on what do.
So, my three wishes for Christmas are:
1. Santa, can you help encourage children young and old that there is always something each and everyone can do no matter how small.
2. Continue to encourage citizens of the world to advocate for me as I don’t have a voice without them.
And 3. Look for ways to continuously reduce, reuse, and recycle. This can include using your wallet for change. Purchase new clean technology, use alternate transportation, encourage industry to move toward clean energy etc.
Santa, can you get the word out?
Your friend always,
Mother Earth
Dear Mother Earth
I will challenge the EAG to help take up this challenge. To my fellow EAGers, list and practise ways you can include Climate conscious products, habits in your Christmas traditions. Examples include timers on lights, LED lights, wrap presents with reusable bags, cloth or newspaper. Buy experiences, buy local, buy less, donate part of your budget to an Environmental charity.
Send us your ideas and what you intend to do to make a change.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a clean earth.
Santa
November 2024 Challenge
This month is about indoor and outdoor 🌱 GARDENING 🦋
During November, Leslie Baird, EAG Co-Cordinator, challenges our members to check out Berit Erikson’s website: The Corner Pollinator Garden and Wildlife Habitat – Plant it and they will come.
Berit Erikson gave EAG members a tour of her Pollinator Garden and Wildlife Habitat in 2023.
Leslie says: "She is a neighbour of mine and inspired me to build a Pollinator Garden on my lot ten years ago. I am still being inspired by her and learning from her."
Berit gives seedlings to people who want to be part of the Pollinator Gardens program of the David Suzuki Foundation.
On our visit to Berit Erikson's garden in May, 2023
Check out How To Attract Pollinators on the David Suzuki Foundation website.
November Gardening challenge is an Informative Challenge:
Report back to the group on the action you have or plan to take! Write to...
🐝 PRACTICAL ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE 🧑🌾
🐝 PRACTICAL ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE 🧑🌾
Start some native seeds in a potting shed.
Draw a plan for a pollinator bed next year, including the plants you'd like to grow.
Research the herbs you can grow indoors on a sunny window sill.
Buy some herbs in pots, or bring some indoors from your garden or balcony.
Experiment with growing microgreens indoors.
Take photos of your plans or your attempts to make changes.
Let us know any other ideas/projects you are working on concerning indoor/outdoor gardening
PREVIOUS CHALLENGES
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🍂October 2024 Challenge🍂
In October we are looking into Energy Generation in Ontario. Through OREC (Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-operative) with over 1,000 members and 27 energy efficiency projects, communities in our region can finance their own projects such as solar rooftops on schools and wind turbines in rural areas, providing green power at their locations.
This month is all about 💡ENERGY ⚡
Challenge:
Direct Challenge: As the fall weather arrives we switch from air conditioning to heating our homes. This month, pledge to lower your thermostat's temperature by 0.5 - 1 degree.
Informative Challenge: We'd like to know how you plan to lower your energy usage. Send in your anecdotes or tips on lowering your energy bill. Do you turn your thermostat down? Have you gone solar?
Please send your name, email and the Challenge you choose. For the Informative challenge, please send your anecdotes so we can share them with all members. Send your choice and answer to: environment@cfuw-ottawa.org
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