It’s never too early to start taking climate action and making a difference in your community.
We’ve put together actions that young people can take to drive climate action forward in your personal life, your community, or Ottawa more broadly. Check out our list of actions below and visit the links and buttons to find more information on each item. Don't forget to share this list of actions with your friends and family to keep up the momentum!
Not a youth? Check out our list of Top 10 Local Climate Actions!
Going out in the streets to protest can be an invigorating experience where you’re surrounded by folks who care about the same issues as you! They can also allow you to further connect with groups working on causes you’re passionate about. Just make sure that you understand the possible safety risks associated with the specific protest you’re attending, and try to join with a buddy or in a group, especially if it’s your first time.
Community Solidarity Ottawa have put together an overview of your rights when protesting.
The Ottawa-Gatineau Climate March will be taking place on September 20th, 2025! This is a fun, low-risk protest to attend if you want to show your support for climate action and stand in solidarity with other justice causes. The theme is ‘Draw the Line’!
Even if you can’t vote, you can still make your voice heard by adding your name to CAFES’ petition demanding the 2021-2024 emissions reports from the City of Ottawa. These reports help us hold the City accountable to their emissions targets. What gets measured gets managed!
All councillors have a newsletter and website with contact information and a schedule of when they plan to be at community events. Introduce yourself as a constituent, and let them know that you think climate action is very important. Keep track of their voting record and share your knowledge with adult voters in your life. You can also volunteer for a campaign to get a climate-friendly politician elected.
If you’re looking to make change in your school community, you can also reach out to your trustees. You will have both an elected trustee representing your district and student trustees representing the student voice.
Find your trustees on your school board website: OCDSB / OCSB / CEPEO / CECCE
Exert positive pressure on elected officials and their staff by asking substantive questions. Your questions will generally be redirected to staff for answers. Ask about what these officials are doing to implement existing climate policies, or let them know about an issue that matters to you.
You may not be able to vote, but you may be able to influence others to vote in favour of climate action. Talk to adults in your life about why climate matters to you, and help them to understand their options during an election period.
Does your school have a club focusing on climate, environment, sustainability, or social justice? If not, take initiative and start one! These clubs are a great way to meet like-minded classmates and promote climate action in your school community!
You have to do 40 volunteer hours to graduate, so why not devote that time to a cause you care about? Groups like CAFES, Ecology Ottawa, and Foret Capitale Forest have volunteer opportunities for people of all ages!
You don’t need a licence to ride a bike or take public transit, and you have much more independence when you’re not relying on someone to drive you everywhere. Learn about Ottawa’s bike and public transport network, and see how you can use it to get around.
Maybe you’re opening your first bank account, or looking for an account that better fits your needs. Either way, take climate impact into consideration when researching possible financial institutions. Most major Canadian banks are key donors to the fossil fuel industry, so you might want to look into credit unions where you have more control over how your money is used. Bank.green is a searchable database where you can find your bank’s environmental impact, and World Beyond War has a guide to “breaking up with your bank.”
Stay updated on CAFES’ activities and campaigns by following us on social media or subscribing to our email newsletter. You can find eco-events, activities and volunteering opportunities across Ottawa on our Community Climate Calendar!
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