A daily checklist for families to help fight climate change

How families can make fighting climate change an everyday habit

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Climate change is an important issue, but it can feel so big that it’s hard to figure out how to help. By building simple Earth-friendly steps into everyday routines, you’re not only creating habits but teaching your kids to do the same. And those small steps can add up to make a big difference. 

To make tackling climate change fun for families, Tangerine Bank’s Project Forward™—which is committed to helping deliver programs and initiatives that inspire self-confidence, leadership and acceptance in Canadian youth—has partnered with Earth Rangers, a national kids’ conservation organization, on Project 2050. 

Project 2050 provides easy ways for children and their families to contribute to the fight against climate change and help Canada achieve its goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. Through the support of Tangerine, one of Project 2050’s challenges is the Earth Defence Squad, which frames positive habits that help fight climate change as super powers kids already possess!

Kids and their parents can follow this handy checklist to unleash their powers every day of the week. And kids, don’t forget to log your climate-friendly habits in the Earth Rangers App or on Project2050.ca to earn some fun rewards. 

It’s time to put your Earth-friendly superpowers into action.

Monday: Launch the energy zapper

Zap energy vampires by unplugging electronics you’re not using, such as cellphone and tablet chargers and TVs.

Parents: Choose appliances and electronics that use less energy.

Tuesday: Engage force field

Use blinds and curtains as a force field to keep cold air drafts out of your house so you don’t have to use more energy to keep your home warm. 

Parents: Consider a smart thermostat to efficiently control your heating and cooling.

Wednesday: Use your super climbing skills

Elevators use a lot of energy, so skip the elevator and take the stairs instead.

Parents: Walk instead of drive whenever you can. 

Thursday: Trigger transformation

Compost your food scraps to reduce greenhouse gasses and turn them into healthy food for your soil.

Parents: Consider investing in socially responsible portfolios, helping your money support a more sustainable world. 

Friday: Initiate brain blast

Learn one new thing about climate change every day. The more you know, the more you can help.

Parents: Help your kids access climate change resources and learn with them.

Saturday: Apply invisibility

Make plastic bottles disappear by using reusable bottles instead.

Parents: Choose paperless banking and make paper statements disappear.

Sunday: Activate magnetism

Use the power of magnetism to collect and then dispose of e-waste to reduce garbage and pollution.

Parents: Serve your community and encourage others to get involved by participating in a community clean-up with your family.

Earth Hour offers another way to fight climate change as a family

Every year, at 8:30 pm on the last Saturday of March (March 26 this year), millions of people across the world show their support for the planet by switching off their lights and participating in Earth Hour. This initiative raises awareness of nature loss and climate change and pushes for legislative changes for positive environmental impact. 

As a family, you can join in by powering down. Try having dinner in the dark—well okay, by candlelight. Or camp out in your living room or backyard. Have a shadow puppet show with flashlights and share your superpower stories.