Take Action Towards Energy Sustainability
Published by Rylan Urban on Jan 13, 2019. Last updated Aug 9, 2023.
Our vision is to have a Sustainable Energy System in Canada – a nationally connected energy system which does not interfere with nature’s inherent ability to sustain life.
This vision requires every Canadian to become sustainable in their own way. You can do your part by following the three action steps described below:
1) Take Immediate Action
In Canada, energy sustainability is an issue of culture, not technology. We all consume more energy than needed, therefore the first solution is also the quickest and cheapest – changing our behavior.
This doesn’t just mean turning off the lights or washing full loads – it means being conscious about the energy we’re using.
Look up from the screen, right now. What do you see and hear? What’s on? What’s charging? And better yet, why?
Fact: According to the World Bank, Canadians are among the highest consumers of electricity in the world – using 5x more than the global average.
Fact: According to the Global Footprint Network, Canadians demand 4.8x more resources and generate 4.8x more waste that our planet can regenerate and absorb.
Consider: This means that we would need approximately five planets to support life on earth if everyone consumed as much as the average Canadian. Stop and think about that for a moment – no future generation will ever be able to consume as much resources as we do today.
2) Educate Yourself & Others
Energy is one of the world’s most utilized resources. It plays a fundamental role in everything we do, every day of our lives – and yet, we tend to know very little about it. This disconnect between our actions and understanding causes us to make unsustainable energy decisions.
Begin by asking yourself the most basic questions. Where does your energy come from? How much do you use? And external costs does this impose on society?
Once you know the basics, share that information with others. Send them a link to this site. Create a conversion not just about energy – but how we’re connected to it.
Fact: According to Canadian Geographic, 60% of electricity in Canada is produced by hydropower, which has now dammed up natural water and sediment flows on nearly every major river in the country.
Fact: According to The World Bank, 9% of electricity generated in Canada is lost through the transmission and distribution system comprised of over 500,000km of power lines.
Consider: This means that most of Canadian electricity is dependent on the disruption aquatic ecosystems, and that all energies are subject to large inefficiencies when produced at utility scale.
3) Invest in Energy Sustainability
Responsible consumption requires an understanding of our relationship with energy (steps 1 and 2). Therefore, investing in energy and energy efficiency technologies is only effective as the final step towards energy sustainability.
Even here, using less energy is still the best line of defense. This can be done through behavior changes (see United Nations), energy efficiency technologies, and energy smart home upgrades.
If all else fails, investing in an electricity or heat generating technology is the next best option. Several methods are explored in depth throughout our website.
Fact: According to Hydro-Quebec, up to 10% of your electricity/hydro bill is caused my phantom load – electronics that are turned off put still use electricity while they are plugged in.
Fact: According to the IESO, up to 20% of your home’s energy savings can be achieved by investing in a programmable thermostat.
Consider: This means that you can likely decrease your home’s energy consumption by over 20% with just a few simple energy saving technologies. We’ve carefully crafted the best of these technologies in our shop.
💜 Do you support sustainable energy? Share this page! 💜