Environmental Plans & Strategies

Hamilton's Climate Action Strategy - Take Action

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Climate change is a whole-of-society concern. Whether you are an individual, working in your community, or a business, there are climate actions you can take. Please join us in transitioning to a healthier, more equitable, climate-ready Hamilton today and for future generations. Together, let’s make a change for the climate.

At Home

In Your Community

At Businesses/Institutions

Whether you are a homeowner (see also Better Homes Hamilton Program) or tenant, there are many things you can do to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at home. Learn what and how, including some income-qualifying programs to help you get there:

Programs

A great way to cut emissions is by engaging in active transportation, including walking, cycling and taking public transportation.

Walking and Pedestrians

Find Safety tips. Request an accessible pedestrian signal.
Active and Sustainable School Travel (ASST) is important for the safety of all road users, especially children. ASST includes walking, wheeling, rolling, and public transportation.

Cycling/Biking

Smart Commute

Smart Commute is a GTHA program that helps individuals and organizations travel efficiently and sustainably. The program helps employers and commuters explore different commuter choices like carpooling, cycling and transit.

Support biodiversity. Help create more habitat by planting for nature. Grow our City’s tree canopy.

Pollinator Gardens

Learn about the importance of pollinator gardens, locate gardens in your neighbourhood and get information on how to start your own garden by checking out the Hamilton Pollinator Paradise Project

Plant a tree

Street Tree Planting Program allows residents to get a tree planted by the City of Hamilton on the road allowance of your property.
Free Tree Giveway allows residents to acquire a free tree from the City of Hamilton to plant on your property.

Rainfall & Flooding

Prepare your home to handle high-volume downpours of rain.

Eaves troughs should be cleaned out and drain water away from your foundation
Lot grading away from home to keep your basement dry
Ensure sewage backwater valves are installed and working properly
Sump pumps in working order
Place valuables in waterproof containers
Consider establishing a raingarden on your property

Drought

Periods of drought are expected as the climate warms.

Landscape with drought-tolerant species, native plants and grasses
Rain barrels to store water in advance

Extreme Heat

The number of summer days that exceed 30°C are on the rise and summer nights may feel more tropical. Hamilton is heating up faster than other cities in Canada. Take steps to keep yourself cool and to cool your home, too.

Know the risks: Heat Warnings & Heat-Related Illness
Access to air-conditioning, at home or in public spaces
Awnings to shade the hot sun
Carry drinking water when away from home
Green roofs can help to insulate your home or building
Home insulation
Shade trees and shrubs provide a cooling effect
Window shades
Check on elderly, persons with disabilities, or ill neighbours to ensure their safety and comfort

Extreme Wind

Prepare your home to handle damaging winds.

Prune weak trees
Secure items that could be picked up by wind
Secure outdoor furniture

Freeze-thaw and ice storm events

Winter is warming at a faster rate than other seasons. Expect cold to be interrupted by warmer weather, making surfaces icy and slippery. Prepare for power interruptions from ice storms.

Back-up power/solar/batteries / keep cell phones charged
Emergency food and water, blanket and supplies for long-term “shelter-in-place”
Portable solar phone charger and crank-up flashlight and radio
Prepare for power outages

Poor Air Quality

Smoke traveling long distances from seasonal wildfires in other communities worsen Hamilton’s air quality. Smoky air can linger for days. An Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) number between 4 and 6 can indicate that the air quality poses a moderate risk to one’s health. The health risk becomes higher as the number increases.

Check the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)
Learn how to protect yourself from poor air quality
In the event of fire smoke conditions make sure you have home air filters and/or access to a clean-air shelter

Resources

Ontario's Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) - Details current and forecast air quality health index for locations in Ontario.

Be prepared for extreme weather emergencies

Emergencies can happen at any time and without warning. Be ready. With a little preparation, you can respond quickly to help yourself and others. Understand the risks in your area, create a household emergency plan and build an emergency kit. https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/index-en.aspx

Resources

City’s Emergency Preparedness
City’s Protective Plumbing Program - The City offers both a loan and grant program to assist with eligible costs of protective plumbing improvements.
Climate Ready Infographics - These are easy-to-follow guidelines for preparing for extreme heat, flooding, and more climate impacts.

Be a community climate champion! Here are some ways you can take action in your community.

Find out about and share views on what the City Corporation and others are doing to champion climate action in Hamilton by visiting Hamilton Climate Action Strategy.
Share case studies of successful climate action initiatives with the Office of Climate Change Initiatives team so the team can promote them on the City’s community webpages and social media. Contact us at [email protected]
Share Your Voice. Shape Our City. Learn about important City initiatives and engage with the community. We want you to share your ideas and feedback to make Hamilton an even better place to live, work and play. Visit EngageHamilton
Volunteer in your community with a non-profit organization. Help people and environment by supporting or volunteering with organizations such as Green Venture, Hamilton Naturalist Club, Environment Hamilton, Neighbour2Neighbour, Hamilton 350, and Action 13.
Delegate. Request to speak to a Committee of Council. Members of the public are advised to check hamilton.ca frequently for up-to-date information on meeting scheduling as meeting dates and times may change.
Organize a community clean-up event. Learn more about Team Up to Clean Up
Arrange a Community Tree Planting Event. Learn more about Community Tree Planting

Community Gardens

Learn about community gardens in Hamilton, find a place to garden or plan to start a new community garden through the Hamilton Community Garden Network

Urban Farms and Victory Gardens

Get involved and volunteer at an urban farm or victory garden and help improve food security in Hamilton:
- McQuesten Urban Farm
- Hamilton Victory Gardens

Climate change is a “whole of society” emergency. Be a role model in the commercial sector/other institutions.

Smart Commute Hamilton helps local employers and their commuters to explore their A to B travel options and try out smart commuting options such as walking, cycling, transit, teleworking and carpooling. The goal is to make commuting easier, while easing gridlock and helping staff save time and money.
The Everyone Rides Initiatives (ERI) is committed to equity in cycling and removes the barriers that prevent people from accessing bikes and cycling as an option for transportation and fun!

Looking to add solar panels to your business’ rooftop, EV stations to your parking lot or just general information on how to put your business on the path toward net zero?

Date modified

October 28, 2024