Net Zero Dundas

Pebble in the Pond

The concept of the pebble in the pond is an old one, but one that resonates with us. We believe that small changes can ripple outward and become larger. Those larger ripples are what change the face of our society, locally and globally. With climate change being the existential threat of our time we are proactively trying to learn more about how we can be part of the solution, and we wish to share it with others. We believe in being a pebble.

Many of our blog entries will be connected to the Live Net Zero contest and the challenge categories they have defined, and then some will be more general or miscellaneous. We are organizing them that way to simplify finding posts that are of more interest to you.

You can select a category here or dive in to the most recent posts as shown below. Even though some of the categories will be empty until that challenge period is active we want to show how the Live Net Zero organizers are approaching ways to reduce your household and individual emissions / carbon footprint—thanks for reading!

~ Commuting~ Home Envelope~ Heating & Cooling~ Electricity~ Holidays~ Home Improvement~ General

A Mostly Rewritten Classic Song Views Commuting Through a Climate Change Lens!
by Jen Reid and Steve Viau - 17 Sep 2023

Thinking about climate change can be so overwhelming, so I decided to have a little fun with tweaking a favourite song of mine, End of the Line by The Traveling Wilburys. Drawing on our experiences in shifting how we commute and get around our community the lyrics now focus on the little things we did, such as more public transit, using our eScooter, carpooling, etc, so try singing this one to the melody of the original and see what you think!

Now is the Time
Well it’s alright, riding around in the breeze
Well it’s alright, if you live the life you please
Well it’s alright, doing the best you can
Well it’s alright, as long as you lend a hand

Put on your shoes and travel the streets by walking
(it is now so the time)
Flow through the roads as you are biking
(it is now so the time)
Get from A to B on a bus or a train
(is is now so the time)
The car is charging

Well it’s alright, we know that this ain’t wrong
Well it’s alright, sometimes you go gotta be strong
Well it’s alright, as long as you got somewhere to lay
Well it’s alright everyday is Net Zero Day

Maybe sometimes you’ll take the road a ways
(it is so now the time)
Scooter through the streets like you are a blaze
(it is so now the time)
We can even be working from home some of these days
(it is so now the time)
All these ways

Well it’s alright, even when push comes to shove
Well it’s alright, if you got someone to love
Well it’s alright, everything’ll work out fine
Well it’s alright, we know now that now is the time

I still depend on the car that I drive 
(some of the time)
I’m just glad that carpool rides can help us all thrive
(it is so now the time) 
Together we can do this side by side
(it is so now the time)
I’m satisfied

Well it’s alright, change is starting today
Well it’s alright, we’ve all got something to say
Well it’s alright, remember that we all have to live
Well it’s alright, the best you can do is give
Well it’s alright, riding around in the breeze
Well it’s alright, we’ll create the change yes please 
Well it’s alright, we’re going to use the sun that shines
Well it’s alright, we’re going to save the world in time.