This article was originally published in the December 10, 2016 edition of the Guardian.

When it comes to the future of our environment, we want to do the right thing for ourselves and for our children but, human nature being what it is, taking action can prove to be difficult. Never has the concept “think globally, act locally” been so absolutely necessary and urgent. And that applies as much to governments as it does to individual Canadians.

To do everything possible to reverse or even slow down climate change, all levels of governments need to work together with other partners for everyone’s benefit.

In the 1970s and 1980s, while I was working for the Alberta Department of Energy and Natural Resources, I witnessed the beginning of serious interest in renewable energy. These were the days before climate change was on everybody’s radar.

Once we became aware of the Green House Effect and climate change, it was still amazing how long climate-change deniers were working at the decision-making levels. Meanwhile, staff were working away on solutions to problems our higher-ups hadn’t even officially acknowledged.

Of course, things have changed, as we see all levels of government now working on the issue of climate change.

Canadians tend to focus on the federal government when thinking about setting environmental policy, but it’s at the provincial and municipal levels where much of the heavy lifting gets done.

There are initiatives like those I saw while working for the Prince Edward Island government. About 14 years ago, thanks largely to the initiative of then Environment Minister Jamie Ballem, the Island signed on to wind energy to get as much power as possible from renewables. It is a great way to turn our well known wind into a source of electrical energy.

Then there are the municipalities — the level of government that is closest to the people — where important services such as sewage, water treatment and recreational services are managed.

Consider the local example of the collaboratively-run Stratford Community Energy Plan that is being drafted to help address local environmental concerns related to town-owned infrastructure while encouraging residents to become greener on their own properties.

This plan will be a roadmap towards a cheaper, brighter future for both businesses and residents, while lowering the amount of Green House Gas emissions.

It is a great partnership of the Town, Maritime Electric and the Stratford and Area Watershed Improvement Group. Funding from the Green Municipal Fund of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities made it all possible.

While most of us in P.E.I. heat our homes with oil, the use of heat pumps has increased greatly. On the leading edge, there are some model houses being built based on European designs that have passive solar generation and improved insulation. These innovations dramatically reduce the amount of oil the homeowner has to burn.

We should encourage the construction of more houses like these with grants or rebates for would-be builders, resulting in a reduction of a homeowner’s yearly fuel bill to as low as $100 a year.

The net result is simple: less oil being burned, fewer greenhouse gases being emitted, and homeowners saving money.

“Don’t waste what you have.” That’s conservation, and it is still my favorite tactic in dealing with the amount of energy use.

As a new member of the Senate, I’ll be bringing this spirit of cooperation to the table and helping to keep environmental policy a focus in Ottawa.

With no time left to waste, now’s the moment to work together.

Diane Griffin is a senator representing Prince Edward Island. She is a member of the Senate committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources.  

Note to readers: The Honourable Diane Griffin retired from the Senate of Canada in March 2022. Learn more about her work in Parliament.