Earth Day Event Review: Part 2 - Local Service Providers

There were a number of local service providers present displaying their wares for greener options to fight climate change at our April 2022 Earth Day Event. Many include options for under the government programs listed in our previous post, and but there were some additional options as well. We are grateful to all our participants!

Here is a summary list:

1. Campbell Heating: Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are a modern alternative for heating your home. A heat pump run on electricity and extract heat from the outside air or ground, even at temperatures of -28˚C, and then releases the energy into your home, with no exchange of air. Efficiency ratings (COP) are 3 to 4 times better than baseboard heating, so that with every unit of energy spent in electricity, you get 3-4 units of heat energy in your home. These devices also provide cooling in the summer just like air conditioning.

2. Manitoulin Off-Grid: Solar Systems

Solar energy is clean from the sun, and free, once you put up the system. Solar panels are continuously improving and becoming cheaper to buy so that this type of installation on your home is even more affordable than ever. You can either install a full system to go off-grid and be done with hydro bills completely, or register with the provincial net-metering program to sell your electricity back to the grid while still maintaining your public connection to power.

3. Manitoulin Tree Services: Arborists

Planting trees, maintaining your current trees, and cutting down dangerous ones safely are all an important part of maintaining the land on Manitoulin. Contact a local arborist to get help keeping trees around us as much as possible. They act as strong carbon syncs and as a renewable energy resource for our local economy.

4. Manitoulin Climate Consortium: A variety of programs

Manitoulin Climate Consortium brings together various local groups with the common goal of confronting the climate crisis. Current members include ‘Cultural Seeds’, Community Gardens, We Will Plant Lodge, and more.

5. Manitoulin Streams: River Rehabilitation and Tree Planting

Manitoulin Streams has a long history of environmental projects completed on Manitoulin, more related to riparian work such as was conducted on the Kagawong River several years ago. They contribute in many other ways around the island as well, working with local interest groups, schools, and municipalities to help maintain our treasured ecosystems.

6. Eco-Growth Environmental: Composting Process for Fuel

This group has developed technology to convert ordinary compost into dehydrated ‘pucks’ that can be burned for heating your home. They are composting experts that can help turn this common waste into a useful fuel for businesses.

7. Re-think Green: Local and Municipal programs

Re-think Green is a Sudbury based non-profit organization that works primarily with municipalities and business to explore green options, opportunities and funding. They can help groups apply for funding related to green projects, or facilitate workshops to develop strategies for future planning. 

The Billings Climate Action Committee would also like to thank the following groups for attending the spring Earth Day Event to help spread information for the benefit of our community:

• Manitoulin Secondary School Eco-Heros

• Devin Whyte: Electric Cars