Being energy efficient means reducing our overall demand for energy. Believe it or not, simply using energy efficiently has the potential to cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80 percent by 2030.
The average Canadian household is responsible for generating over seven tonnes of emissions each year. Making small changes to how you use (or do not use) energy can have a big impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Being energy efficient can be as simple as:
changing your light globes to low-energy globes
turning appliances off at the power point
buying products that are grown or produced locally
recycling or reusing items
walking or riding your bike instead of driving
using the natural energy from the sun to dry your clothes or warm you up.
Being energy efficient can include bigger projects, such as installing insulation at home, using solar hot water heaters, ensuring that your home has shade (from blinds, trees etc.) in summer, but allows the sun through in winter, and connecting homes to clean energy electricity sources.