What does climate action look like in your community? In New Westminster, British Columbia, it looks like everyday people opening their doors, gardens and electrical panels, all to help their neighbours envision a more sustainable future.
This is the spirit that fuels the New Westminster Climate Action Hub: a group of residents committed to building a healthier, more climate-resilient city from the ground up. Since launching in 2024, the Hub has amassed nearly 32 members who work together to educate, engage and empower their community through advocacy, public outreach and hands-on initiatives. In just a year, their email updates now reach over 100 residents — a clear reflection of growing interest and engagement in local climate action!
On March 31st, six members of the Hub participated in our Climate Reality Leader training in Vancouver. There, they built valuable connections with fellow grassroots leaders from across the region, deepened their skills in climate communication and learned how to turn education into meaningful, community-based action.
The momentum carried forward into one of their most ambitious and well-attended events to date: the Sustainable Home Info Sessions, held in partnership with the City of New Westminster and under the umbrella of the Climate-Friendly Homes Tour. The full-day event held on April 26th — part home tour, part deep-dive information sessions — transformed everyday homes into powerful sites of climate education.
The New West Hub hosts one of several Sustainable Home Info Sessions for New Westminster residents as part of the Climate-Friendly Homes Tour.
And what a day it was!
More than 175 attendees (including New Westminster’s mayor!) and 40 volunteers participated in the event, which took a holistic approach to climate change and included actions related to climate mitigation, adaptation, biodiversity, heat resilience, home electrification and more. Community experts led information sessions that drew people in, while resources were made inclusive and accessible for condominium and apartment residents.
Each stop offered a welcoming space to ask questions, share stories and imagine how changes could be applied in their own homes or communities. Moreover, there was an active transportation component to the event, with guided cycling tours provided by Hub Cycling and secure bike storage at each home. And of course, there was no shortage of lively activities and games to keep energy high throughout the day.
The event was strengthened by collaboration with local organizations such as the Cariboo Heights Forest Preservation Society, ReGenerateBC, the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment and the Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment. Together, they offered participants practical insights into sustainable living and demonstrated the wide-ranging approaches communities can take to address climate challenges.
All in all, the sunny spring day was full of connection and community. And thanks to the Hub’s incredible efforts, the impact spoke for itself in post-survey results:
- 95% of attendees learned something new
- 90% felt inspired to take action
- 100% said they enjoyed the event
Beyond reflecting educational impact, these results show how community-driven climate initiatives can spark motivation, confidence and collective responsibility at the local level.
Local residents participate in a Sustainable Home Info Session.
At a time when the scale of the climate crisis can feel abstract and paralyzing, the tour offered a hands-on, community-powered and locally rooted entry point into climate solutions. By fostering neighbour-to-neighbour connections, the New West Hub reminded attendees that they’re not alone and that meaningful action is already underway, right where they live. It also offered a glimpse into how individual actions, when scaled through community networks, can lead to systemic transformation.
The Hub hasn’t slowed down since. They’ve launched a new Climate Film Night series, are regularly tabling at the New Westminster Farmers Market and recently ran a packed summer of programming.
Behind the scenes, the team is also taking meaningful steps toward long-term sustainability. This includes opening a bank account, announcing nonprofit incorporation, launching new funding efforts and meeting with their newly elected MP to advocate for climate action at the federal level.
Overall, this story highlights a key insight: that climate action isn’t only about sweeping legislation or massive infrastructure projects, and that instead, it often starts at the community level. Small, achievable interventions like replacing a gas stove or opening your home to a neighbour with questions can collectively shift norms, behaviours and expectations.
At the same time, the Sustainable Home Info Sessions also serve as a clear example of what’s possible when community members are equipped with the resources and support to lead. By investing in community capacity-building, grassroots groups like the New Westminster Climate Action Hub are demonstrating that local solutions can catalyze broader climate resilience and civic engagement, all while fostering stronger, more connected communities.
And if one local Hub can transform a single day into a ripple of learning and inspiration for nearly 200 people, just imagine the power of communities across Canada leading their own climate solutions — turning local initiatives into a movement that reshapes how we live, connect and respond to the climate crisis.
Take action at home and beyond
Inspired by the Climate-Friendly Homes Tour? You can take the next step by making your own home more energy-efficient, and by advocating for policies that support Canadians in doing the same. The federal Greener Homes Loan Program, which provides interest-free loans for upgrades like heat pumps, insulation, windows and solar panels, is set to close applications on October 1st. Help ensure programs like this continue to support middle-income households, local skilled trades and community-wide climate action.
Learn more about the Greener Homes Loan Program and send a message to your MP.
Browse resources from the Sustainable Home Info Sessions.
Learn more about the New Westminister Climate Action Hub.
If you’re looking to join or start a Hub in your area, visit climatehub.ca.