To mark Climate Action Week in Beaconsfield, we invite you to take action and share your climate efforts to inspire those around you!
These suggestions are easy to follow and can really make a big difference:
Become more climate resilient
Our canopy is our greatest climate adaptation asset
Thanks to a subsidy from the City, offered in partnership with the nonprofit organization GRAME, have a tree of your choice planted on your private property. Details at ensembleonverdit.org.
FREE: Choose a tree to be planted by the City on public property in front of your home. Contact arbres_trees@beaconsfield.ca.
Reduce your water consumption and save money
FREE: Ask the Green Patrol for your leak detection tablet and water savings wheel during their visits.
REMINDER: Get your WaterSense® certified water savings kit for only $10 (65% rebate!) to reduce your water consumption by 40%. Available at City Hall.
Protect your property from floods or other extreme weather events
FREE: Use the Home Flood Program checklist from the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation for cost-effective ways to protect your home. Available at homefloodprotect.ca/checkup.
Reduce your local greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
Convert your fossil fuel heating source
FREE: Get an energy efficiency evaluation for your home. Subsidies of up to $10,000 are available. More information at transitionenergetique.gouv.qc.ca.
Dispose of your materials responsibly
FREE: Get a larger blue bin from the City and only put your bin out when it’s full.
REUSE before RECYCLE: Donate your items in good condition instead of using the bulky items collection. Some organizations even pick up at your house!
BE LAZY: Leave your grass clippings on the lawn
Act locally
BUY LOCAL! Experience the charm of commercial life in Beaconsfield by buying local products, meeting merchants and restaurateurs, having a chat or simply strolling through the neighbourhood.
REMINDER: Start your own vegetable garden and get a free composter from Public Works to feed your garden. Consider using our subsidized rain barrel to water your plants. Available at City Hall.
Climate actions by the community
Show your commitment to climate action and your creativity by sharing your efforts with us
Do something for the climate today
Take a picture or video (15 seconds maximum) of your action
Share it with us by commenting on one of our Climate Action Week posts on Facebook, or tagging us on Instagram!
If you don’t have a Facebook or Instagram account, email us at climat-climate@beaconsfield.ca
Climate actions: Community organizations and schools
Local schools and organizations took part in Climate Action Week in their own way!
Beacon Hill Elementary School
The school started a garden and composting team.
Beaconsfield High School
BHS students are highly encouraged to use their bikes to get to school instead of opting for drop off by fuel-based family vehicles (...and they're getting a little exercise too!)
The school has also taken on the challenge of moving the school towards more sustainable practices by removing most garbage bins in their school cafeteria. Compost and recycling bins have replaced most garbage bins which has brought down garbage levels to only one bag per day vs eight bags per day previously. Students and staff are sorting out their lunch remains and are far more aware of how the reduction of garbage is relatively easy, and that this action can make a huge difference at a school and city level.
BEAU market
The weekly Marché BEAU Farmers Market runs from May to September on Fridays from 3 - 6 p.m. and is open to all residents. The market hosts three local farmers who sell beautiful vegetables picked fresh and minimally transported to the market. This creates an opportunity for people to connect with their growers and get to know and understand what it takes to produce their food.
BIG BEAU garage sale
The Big BEAU Garage Sale in the spring encourages re-use and diverts unwanted items going to landfill by selling them locally to fellow neighbours.
Climate actions: Residents
Some residents took it upon themselves to take action for the climate by changing their habits, or taking on new projects!
Zero waste lunch
I try to make zero-waste lunch packing for myself and the kids. In my mind, it means that the individual lunches do not create any more waste—no paper napkins, no plastic utensils, no yogurt cups, no squeeze apple sauces, etc. Basically, at the end of my kid’s lunch period, they shouldn’t need to go to the trash can or recycling at all.
Focus on reuse and repair
Did you know that the fashion industry is the 2nd most polluting industry in the world?
I learned that recently, while participating in a zero waste challenge with my family.
At the moment, we are trying to reduce our consumption and reuse/repair our goods as much as possible. One step at a time…
Last year, rather than buy new appliances, we repaired our fridge as well as our oven.
I also replaced my old car which consumed a lot of fuel with a hybrid rechargeable vehicle.
Aside from that, I try to be creative by transforming the use of certain clothes, I give or buy certain items second-hand. For example, a bridesmaid dress became a Princess Peach costume for an activity at the library. 1 dress = many possibilities.
Planting a garden
I grow my veggies and fruits in my garden, most from seeds (lettuce, beans, snap peas, cucumber, squash, tomatoes, zucchini, hot peppers, raspberry, blackberries, strawberries, thyme, basil).
One resident's many climate actions
We only have one car since November, so we coordinate our outings.
I pick up the hangers at Nova, where I do volunteering, and I bring them to be cleaned and eventually reused.
I put plastic clips (e.g. bread, milk) in a small container to reuse them before putting them in the recycling.
I use a clothesline to dry my clothes. It saves electricity.
I put all my plastic bags in one bag (as is recommended in the “What to put in your recycling bin” guide distributed by the City).
My 4 composters work hard for me as well. I have much less food waste. Plus, they provide a fantastic fertilizer for my plants.
I fill my recycling bin as much as possible (like in the photo). I place it at the curb about once every two months.
Climate Actions : The City of Beaconsfield
From working from home to finding new eco-friendly entertainment alternatives, the City continues to take action for the climate.
Hybrid work approach
In Beaconsfield's Communications Department, we have adopted a hybrid work approach. Remote working allows us to reduce our GHG emissions.
Outdoor library boxes
These boxes installed in Montrose and Brookside Park allow donated books to take on a new life.
It’s a great way to share the joys of reading while being respectful of the environment.
Stay tuned: two new boxes will be installed around the end of the summer in Shannon and Briarwood Park.
Special thanks to the Beaconsfield Artists Association and to the Friends of the Beaconsfield Library for their collaboration.
Laser show at Canada Day
Witness an immersive multimedia experience at Centennial Park with the laser show and illuminated trail on July 1st.
Powered by electricity, this technology is environmentally cleaner than traditional fireworks, preserving air and water quality in the surrounding environment.
