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SOS – Save Our Snow
SOS - Save Our Snow is a new feature of Take The Roof Off Winter. It shines a light on the fact that climate change may make some wonderful aspects of winter disappear – mainly the snow and ice on which we do so many great activities.
Greenhouse gas emissions cause climate change. Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas responsible for climate change. Greenhouse gas emissions are released when we burn fossil fuels like coal and oil for energy. By saving energy, we reduce greenhouse gas emissions and our impact on climate change.
If you love winter, help Save Our Snow by reducing your impact on climate change. Check out our list of things (below) you can do to reduce the production of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Most often you'll save money while saving our snow.
Of course, climate change is about a lot more than just losing our snow. For an explanation of how climate change works and its wide-reaching effects on natural systems, wildlife and humanity check out the following:
Save Our Snow At Home By:
- Getting an EnerGuide Home Assessment.
- Unplugging appliances, TVs and computers when not in use.
- Choosing energy efficient models when buying new appliances.
- Turning off lights when you leave a room.
- Replacing all light bulbs with compact fluorescents and make sure your holiday lights are LED.
- Reducing hot water use by having shorter showers, conserving water when washing dishes and washing clothes in cold water. Dry your clothes on a drying rack or on the line outside instead of in the dryer.
- Shunning the snow blower and shovel snow yourself.
- Composting all your organic waste and recycling as much as possible. Check out the Resource Recovery Fund Board to learn about recycling and your composting options in your area.
- Eating local and organic foods as much as possible.
- Installing programmable thermostats. Set them 2 degrees below what you're used to and even lower when you're asleep.
- Wearing sweaters instead of turning up the heat.
- Using weather stripping and caulking doors and windows to stop leaks. Check out Conserve Nova Scotia for more ideas on energy efficiency in your home.
- Considering alternative energy sources for your home. Check out Solar Gain to learn about solar options.
Save Our Snow When Traveling By:
- Using active transportation – walk, bike, in-line skate, skateboard, cross country ski or snowshoe – to work, school, the corner store and other short trips.
- Taking transit when you can.
- Joining a car share program.
- Combining errands and carpooling to make the most of your car trips.
- Driving at slower speeds and avoiding jack-rabbit starts.
- Never idling your car.
- Going for a fuel efficient model or try a hybrid when replacing your car. The Canadian Annual Office of Energy Efficiency EnerGuide Awards lists fuel-efficient vehicles.
- Reducing air travel when you can. Consider taking the train or a bus line for longer land-trips. Consider stay-cations – vacationing closer to home – to avoid air travel, save money and get to know your community better.
Save Our Snow In Your Community By:
- Challenging your workplace or school to reduce emissions. Go to Conserve Nova Scotia for ideas or check out The Natural Step .
- Letting your elected officials know you care about global warming and reducing our impact on climate change. Ask them to support efforts to find solutions to this global problem.
For more ideas on what you can do to Save Our Snow and reduce your impact on climate change and the environment, check out the Ecology Action Centre's action steps.
 The Ecology Action Centre has acted as a voice for Nova Scotia 's environment for over 37 years. The EAC has been voted #1 Activist Organization by readers of The Coast magazine for six years running. Since 1971, the EAC has been working to build a healthier, more sustainable Nova Scotia .
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