Earth Hour

Our annual Earth Hour community event returns, with a new Climate Ready Home Show. Join us at Vaughan City Hall (2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.)!

This year, we are partnering with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) to present the Climate Ready Home Show! This special event offers Vaughan residents the opportunity to learn about and connect with local businesses and non-profit organizations focused on sustainability. Discover a wide range of products, services and solutions designed to help make your home more energy efficient and climate resilient. 

Schedule: 

Saturday, March 22 at City Hall.

• 4:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.: Climate Ready Home Show 
• 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.:  Earth Hour Event
• 8:30 p.m.: Guided nighttime walk 
• 9:00 p.m.: Musical performance by Elder's Mills Concert Band, followed by raffle prize draws!

Event highlights:

Join this informative and fun-filled event featuring kid-friendly activities, electric vehicle test drives, and raffle prizes!

• Explore vendor booths: Learn from the pros! Visit various on-site booths to learn how to adopt sustainable habits and contribute to a greener future. Connect with representatives from City departments, including Vaughan Fire and Rescue, Emergency Services, Solid Waste Management, Parks Planning, Horticulture Operations and Forestry Operations, as well as TRCA. Engage with local businesses and service providers specializing in home resilience and energy efficiency. You'll also find community groups like Elder's Mills Public School (science fair exhibition), Rotary Club of Woodbridge, 1st Maple Scouts, Girl Guides, and York Region Environmental Alliance.

• Test drive an electric vehicle: Curious about electric vehicles? Take one for a spin and chat with the experts from Plug’n Drive to learn how you can transition away from gas-powered cars. 

• Make a paper lantern: Light up the room! You and your family can get crafty and learn how to make a paper lantern. Decorate it as you like and light it up with a safe battery-powered light. 

• Claim a pollinator seed packet: Thinking of growing your own pollinator-friendly garden this spring? Pick up a free pollinator seed packet while supplies last. The pollinator packets include planting instructions for best results and the following flower seeds: Golden Tickseed, Lanceleaf Tickseed, Blazing Star, Helenium Autumnale, Common Milkweed and New England Aster.  

• Go on a guided Nighttime Walk: Explore Vaughan in the dark! Starting at City Hall, this approximately 40-minute roundtrip walk offers a unique opportunity to explore your community after hours. Remember to wear reflective clothing, bring your flashlight, and maybe a travel mug with a warm drink! 

• Warm up at the hot chocolate station: After you get back from the nighttime walk, warm up with a comforting cup of hot chocolate.

• Win a prize: Enter our annual Earth Hour raffle for the chance to win an exciting prize! 

Can’t attend the event? Here’s how you can show your support from home:

• Explore your neighbourhood and go on a nighttime walk from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Do a yoga session, read a book or play a board game by candlelight.
• Grab a flashlight and make a fort.
• Make a paper lantern (PDF) using a battery-powered candle.
• Register to receive a pollinator seed packet to plant your pollinator-friendly garden!

When doing these activities, remember to always put safety first. If walking outside at night, bring a flashlight or a lantern, wear reflective clothing and remain on the sidewalk or a designated pathway.

Home Energy Saving 101

The carbon cut: Carbon emissions play a significant role in climate change and reducing energy cuts the amount of carbon emissions released into the environment. Conserving energy contributes to a higher quality of life for everyone, leading to cleaner air quality and an overall healthier planet.

The money-saver: Did you know that saving energy also equals saving money? Cutting back on energy usage in your home can reduce your energy bills significantly. The government of Canada has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Net-zero means the economy will either give off no greenhouse gas or be matched by an equal amount removed from the atmosphere.

Suggested actions for adults:

• Invest in a programmable or smart thermostat.
• Consider replacing all your light bulbs with LED bulbs and upgrade appliances. look for the ENERGY-STAR rated products. The federal government also offers an Energy Savings Rebate program - Canada.ca
• Seal any cracks around doors or windows or install weather stripping to save money and energy when heating and cooling your home. A rolled-up towel works too!
• Try using small space heaters or fans instead of changing the temperature of your entire home when possible.
• Skip the dryer - consider purchasing a drying rack or line drying your clothes outside, especially during summer months. While you're at it, try washing your clothes in cool or cold water.
• Consider purchasing an electric vehicle. Plug'n Drive, located in Vaughan, provides tips, resources, offers test drives and information about incentives.
• Plant trees and shrubs near your home to act as a windbreak, help insulate exterior walls and even provide cooling shade in the summer. Hydro One has tips for energy efficiency planting.
• Add energy retrofits when planning a home. Natural Resources Canada provides a breakdown of possible retrofits and offers grant programs for homeowners.
• The Ontario government provides a list of programs to reduce your electricity bill.

Suggested actions for kids and youth:

• Turn off lights when they aren’t being used and when you leave a room.
• In the summer, close your curtains - we all love some natural light, but on hot, sunny days, keeping your curtains and blinds open will heat up rooms that are not in use. Closing curtains and blinds acts as a temperature control, meaning you won't have to crank up the AC.
• Reduce screen time where possible, turn off devices when they aren’t being used, and unplug your devices once they’re charged. Have you heard of phantom energy? Many devices drain energy even when they’re not on, but still plugged in, and can account for up to 10 percent of a home’s energy use (source: 14 Energy Saving Tips to Boost Efficiency at Home | Enercare)