Meet the 2023 Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions

In the Climate Leadership Plan, the City of Kingston worked with residents and organizations in the Kingston community to identify opportunities for climate action, at the community level, that will help us move closer to our goal of carbon neutrality by 2040.

One of those actions was the creation of the Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions, a program designed to empower residents to inspire their friends and neighbourhoods to work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance local climate action.

Meet your champions

The 2023 Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions led 14 incredible projects to inspire their neighbours and reduce community greenhouse gas emissions.

• Jennie improved local biodiversity by creating gardens with native species to support pollinators.
• Brian provided neighbours with trees, shared valuable knowledge and helped with planting to enhance the City's tree canopy.
• Mary-Jean transformed traditional lawns into drought-resistant, pollinator-friendly and low-maintenance gardens.
• Mark worked with neighbours to discuss ways to reduce their carbon footprint, focusing on deep energy retrofits in their homes.
• Nathan established a vibrant community pollinator garden with diverse native flowering species to teach neighbours about pollinator gardens, seed harvesting and winter sowing techniques. 
• Cherilyn established a new edible community garden in Kingston's west end! With 16 plots that help residents access fresh and locally grown food, Cherilyn's project promotes sustainability and a sense of community through shared gardening experiences. 
• Gavin launched the Neighbourhood Retrofit DIY Squad (NERDS) project in Kingscourt-Rideau, empowering residents to enhance their home energy efficiency and encouraging the installation of heat pumps as an alternative to natural gas heating.
• Rohit created a captivating moss display outside of City Hall, showcasing the benefits and beauty of natural air filtration and carbon sequestration through moss.
• Sarah collaborated with local farmers' markets to encourage residents to support the local economy by purchasing locally sourced foods and goods to foster community connections and sustainable consumption.
• Reanna created the Kids Climate ActionFest in Sydenham, providing school-aged children with inspiring tools and activities to empower youth to become active participants in climate action from an early age.
• Megan promoted alternative transportation options and enhanced accessibility with an active transportation and accessibility map for King's Town. This resource outlined alternative and safe routes to help you navigate the city without relying solely on motor vehicles.
• Jessica collaborated with Maple Elementary and St. Martha's Elementary schools to empower students to create positive change in their community through climate action initiatives that nurtured their understanding of environmental issues and created future champions of sustainability. 
• Two champions also worked with SLC and Queen's University on climate action initiatives.
  • Jadon: At St. Lawrence College, the Climate Leadership Program empowered students with essential project management skills and an understanding of climate action while exploring climate-related challenges through the lens of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. The program cultivates future leaders who can drive meaningful change in their communities and beyond by equipping students with the knowledge and skills to tackle climate issues. 
  • Emily: Queen's University hosted the Sustainability Hub, an immersive learning experience promoting a circular economy. The hub encouraged individuals to adopt sustainable consumption practices by emphasizing the importance of repairing, reusing, and recycling belongings rather than constantly buying new items. Through engaging exhibits and workshops, students and the wider community gained a deeper understanding of the environmental impact of their choices. They learned practical ways to reduce waste, conserve resources, and foster a more sustainable future.