Impacts & Accomplishments 2025
STORIES
2/16/20264 min read
Seminar Series
We have hosted two seminars: Home Solar panel and Food and Climate Action, drawing dozens of community members to connect with experts, civil servants, elected officials and organizations to explore and adopt climate solutions. People spent more than an hour on Q&A and networking with our panelists after both seminars, building momentum and synergies for home solar energy and healthy food choices for the planet!
Heat Pump Case Study Widely Disseminated
A local resident, Elizabeth Liu, volunteered to conduct a heat pump case study that analyzed data spanning a 12-month period. The study highlights the impacts on her household utility costs, carbon emissions and comfort level. A case study with localized data and personal takeaways will be very beneficial in helping other homeowners to learn and adopt new energy technologies such as the heat pumps. Liu’s study was shared by Goldfinch Energy and featured in the Toronto Region Conservation Authority SNAP newsletter. It was also disseminated by Richmond Hill’s Mayor and local Councillors to local constituents. Elizabeth hopes that her research can help other homeowners make better and informed decisions about home heating and cooling
Multi-residential building emission reduction
Our Communications Coordinator, Esther Collier, visited an apartment building north of Major Mackenzie and east of Yonge and wondered if the hallway heat could be lowered to save energy. She asked the building superintendent, and the response was “Yes!”.
She also suggested adding a friendly elevator notice explaining that the change was part of the building’s effort to reduce emissions - just in case residents had questions.
The superintendent agreed to that too! One simple ask can open the door to great and positive changes!
RH Climate Plan Surveys
We conducted in-person surveys with attendees at public events such as the Sustainability Series with Mayor West, Eco Family Festival, and Earth Day. The purpose is to find out how informed community members are with the City’s Climate Plan. In 2025, we also launched our monthly climate updates through various channels. In 2026, we will take a break from the survey, and will resume in 2027. The goal is to find out how effective our climate updates are in raising public awareness of the City’s Climate Plan.
Hosting Minister of Environment and Climate Change in Richmond Hill
In February 2025, Climate Action Richmond Hill met with the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, former Minister of Environment and Climate Change, to voice the urgency and opportunities for stronger Canadian climate policies.
This important meeting was organized by MP Majid Jowhari and hosted by Esther Collier on behalf of Climate Action Richmond Hill (CARH). It brought together all major citizen-led environmental groups in Richmond Hill. CARH raised urgent questions on our climate future, and asked Minister Guilbeault what he believed to be the greatest environmental threat leading up to the federal election. He expressed that he feared a rollback of ambitious climate policies. In hindsight, his concern was valid — as our current government pushes to position Canada as a powerhouse of carbon-intensive energy. Key measures, such as the carbon tax — critical for transitioning to a low-carbon economy powered by renewable energy — have since been dismantled. CARH also tried to amplify young voices at this meeting. We proudly introduced Ice Dragons, a prominent youth-led environmental group, to the Minister. Their representative spoke passionately about their initiatives and explained why a healthy environment matters so deeply to the next generation.
Climate Action Button Created by the City
Esther Collier, the Communications Coordinator of CARH, worked with the Sustainability Sectio and the Strategic Communications branch of the city to create a clickable button that direct people to the updated Climate Change Action Plan. This is an important step in raising public awareness and participation in the climate plan. CARH will speak directly with the Mayor and a few Councillors to integrate this button on their public communications platforms. We will urge them to encourage residents and businesses to participate in the plan.
Climate Heros in Richmond Hill
We launched the Climate Hero Challenge at all our outreach efforts in city-wide events such as the 2nd Eco Family Festival, Earth Day and Spring Fair. The challenge is an online game that people of all ages can play to test their knowledge of climate change issues specific to Richmond Hill. Participants got to learn practical and creative ways to reduce their emission footprints, while winning little eco-prizes after completing the challenge. Young winners also got to wear our Climate Hero Capes too! This challenge greatly complemented other climate activities we lead at public events. A big shoutout to York Region for donating resources and tools that made our climate hero challenge a big success!
