How You Can Be Climate Smart

Everyone in Canaan can play a part in building a cleaner, healthier, more resilient community. Here are practical steps residents and businesses can take, many supported by financial incentives, and free resources.

1. Save Energy at Home and Work

  • Upgrade Heating & Cooling

    • Install air-source or ground-source heat pumps for efficient heating and cooling.

    • Explore state and utility incentives to help cover costs.

  • Improve Insulation & Air Sealing

    • Weatherize your home or building to reduce drafts and heating bills.

  • Switch to LED Lighting

    • Replace incandescent and fluorescent bulbs with LEDs.

  • Use Smart Thermostats

    • Program thermostats to reduce energy use when you’re asleep or away.

2. Choose Clean Electricity

  • Join Community Solar

    • Support renewable energy without installing panels on your roof.

    • Save money on your electricity bills and support local clean energy projects.

  • Consider Rooftop Solar

    • If you own your home or business and have a suitable roof, explore rooftop solar options and incentives.

3. Drive & Travel Smarter

  • Consider an EV or Plug-In Hybrid

    • New York State offers rebates for qualifying electric vehicles.

    • Use the Level 2 EV charger at Stoddard Field and other regional stations when traveling.

  • Reduce Car Trips

    • Combine errands, carpool when possible, and support telework where it makes sense.

4. Minimize Waste

  • Avoid Single-Use Items

    • Switch to reusable bags, bottles and containers.

  • Repair, Don’t Replace

    • Bring broken items to Repair Café events or local repair shops.

  • Compost Organics

    • When possible, compost food scraps and yard waste instead of sending them to the landfill.

  • Recycle 

    • Know the locations and hours of nearby recycling collection stations

    • Consult Columbia County’s list of  what can and cannot be recycled.

    • Take advantage of e-waste collection and hazardous waste collection days

5. Care for Land, Water & Wildlife

  • Plant Native Species

    • Use native plants and pollinator-friendly species in your yard; they often require less water and support local wildlife.

  • Manage Invasives

    • Learn to identify and remove invasive plants, especially around streams, wetlands, and woodland edges.

  • Protect Water Quality

    • Maintain septic systems, minimize lawn chemicals, and preserve vegetated buffers along streams and ponds.

  • Reduce Light Pollution

    • Protect wildlife by minimizing outdoor lighting, putting lights on motion sensors, using shielded fixtures that direct light downward and choosing warm-colored bulbs over blue-white ones.

6. Prepare for Extreme Weather

  • Stay Cool and Safe

    • Be aware of cooling centers in town and check on neighbors during extreme heat.

  • Plan Ahead

    • Create a household emergency plan, including backup power needs, medications, and contacts.

  • Stay Informed

    • Sign up for local alerts and follow town communications during storms and other events.