Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24top 10 tips: Climate Change Challenge 705-749-3622 • info@foca.on.ca https://foca.on.ca Write, email or (better yet) drop in to talk to the folks in charge of your cottage community, and find out what they plan to do, to reduce the impacts of climate change and keep the local environment healthy. Get links to local politicians here: https://foca.on.ca/raise-your- political-voice-tips-from-foca/ Bonus Points: Reach out to Local Government We all have an important role to play in reducing the impacts of climate change and keeping the environment healthy for future generations. Here are some ideas to keep the lake environment healthy, and reduce your own carbon footprint at the cottage. 1. PAddlE Vs. MOtOR: Reach more often for the paddle instead of the boat keys, and enjoy nature at a slower pace! 2. lEt tHE sHORElInE BE: Do the environment (and yourself) a favour, and choose the hammock over the lawn mower this summer. Plants at the water’s edge help filter nutrients, store carbon and prevent erosion, while underwater logs and rock piles provide protection and spawning ground for fish. 3. stARRy, stARRy nIGHts: Don’t be a night polluter. Turn off unnecessary exterior lights and substitute down-facing fixtures where possible. Floodlights and other high-wattage outdoor bulbs are energy-eaters and can even mess up the mating and feeding behaviour of wildlife, while stealing the view from star gazers. 4. sWItCH tHE COttAGE WAttAGE: For indoor light, switch from incandescent bulbs to LEDs, which cost you and the environment a lot less in the long-run. They last up to 50 times longer and use about one-tenth the amount of electricity. 5. ClEAn-uP: Manage garbage responsibly at the cottage. Recycle and compost as much as possible, remove fishing lines from the lake, and discourage wildlife from eating leftovers by storing all trash in tightly sealed containers and keeping pet food dishes indoors. 6. BBQ: If it’s time for a new BBQ at the cottage consider gas or propane models which are more environmentally responsiblethancharcoalthatreleasestoxicby-products into the air. 7. ElECtRIC IdEAs: Keep an eye out for ‘dinosaur’ appliances - old fridges can use more than four times the energy of a new, efficient model. Appliance retailers, utility companies and local waste-managementservicesmaypickupoldunitsforfreewhen they deliver a new one, which even saves you cottage time. 8. MOtOR MAttERs: Replace old two-stroke engines with more efficient ‘clean marine’ options (clean two stroke, or four-stroke) and off-road vehicle engine technology, and keep engines in top repair to lower emissions. 9. BEWARE tHE PHAntOM lOAd: Use power bars to isolate electronics that can be turned off when you’re away because some devices (including TVs, DVD players, stereos, computers) can continue to steal power even after they’re turned ‘off.’ 10. HuG A tREE: Retain mature trees as natural insulators on your property. Deciduous trees on the south and west of our buildings provide shade in summer, and let sun through in winter. Conifers on the north and northwest sides will help block cold winds in winter. Please keep in touch with FOCA and let us know how many of these,orotherclimate-consciousactions,youtakeonthisyear! For more tips on how to be a low-impact cottager, see our new publication on page 3 (Climate Change guide). MaIled Under Canada POSt aGreeMent # 40034069