Climate Network Lanark connects residents with funding, experts, and resilience strategies
LANARK COUNTY — While global leaders debate carbon targets in international boardrooms, the most pressing front in the fight against climate change isn’t half a world away, it’s right here, in your own backyard.
In Lanark County, the grassroots organization Climate Network Lanark, backed by strong community support, successfully lobbied the county to create a Climate Action Plan. But before they could propose solutions, they had already identified the county’s top sources of emissions.
“The highest emissions come first from transportation, second from buildings and housing, and third from a mix of organics sent to landfill and land use,” explains Sue Brandum, Climate Network Lanark co-founder.
Brandum, who previously led REAL (Rideau Environmental Action League), was no stranger to tackling home energy efficiency. She knew two main obstacles people faced: understanding what to do, and figuring out how to pay for it.
“We bring people together in Lanark County and Smiths Falls to take action on climate locally,” she says.
To address these challenges, Climate Network Lanark launched the Neighbourhood Climate Concierge Program. It’s a hands-on initiative that helps residents understand what changes to make in their homes, connect with expert consultants, and access funding to help pay for upgrades.
One of the biggest misconceptions people have, according to Paul Zammit, author and Climate Network Lanark’s building expert, is assuming their house is already built to today’s standards, just because it was “built to code.”
“Code is relative to the era the house was built in. A home from the 1940s or 50s was built to the standards of that time, wiring, plumbing, insulation, everything,” he says. “Our homes simply aren’t designed for what’s hitting them today, or what’s coming next, whether it’s fire, hurricanes, or extreme temperatures.”
As the climate grows more unpredictable, Zammit warns that homes are becoming increasingly vulnerable. A clear example is the shift in spring flooding patterns. In the past, the thawed ground would absorb heavy spring rains. But in recent years, the ground has still been frozen, and that water has nowhere to go but sideways.
“That water is going to take the path of least resistance, which is up against your foundation, which is probably thawed out. The water makes its way down to the footing and into the basement, below the blocks and above the footing. So that water is coming in virtually sideways,” Zammit explains.
In response to escalating weather events, new building codes are being introduced, Zammit says. For example, windows will soon be rated not only for insulation (R-value), but also for wind resistance. Garage doors, particularly in attached garages, are also being scrutinized as potential points of failure during storms.
“In places like the East Coast, when a garage door fails during a storm, it turns the entire house into a parachute, and lifts the roof right off,” says Zammit. The same threat applies here in the event of a tornado or severe windstorm.
Then there’s the issue of insurance. As weather-related claims rise, providers are adjusting, and not in homeowners’ favour.
“Insurance companies operate continent-wide. A hurricane in Florida affects your premiums here,” he adds.
Upgrading a home to withstand the changing climate can be expensive, sometimes thousands of dollars. That’s where Climate Network Lanark steps in once again.
“Right now, we have about half a dozen funding programs available,” says Brandum. “Some are income-based, while others offer loans, grants, or combinations of both.”
Many programs can be stacked, allowing homeowners to combine multiple sources of funding to maximize their upgrades.
“There’s a new initiative from the county called the Better Homes Lanark Program. It’s primarily a loan program, but it does include some grant components,” explains Sadie Brule, project coordinator at Climate Network Lanark. “The real challenge is helping people figure out which programs they’re eligible for, and how to layer them.”
And while many residents assume they won’t qualify, Brandum encourages everyone to check.
“Most people do qualify for at least one of the many programs available, often more,” she says.
From flash floods and backed-up storm drains to wildfire smoke, Lanark County is already feeling the effects of a warming planet. The fight against climate change isn’t just about global targets or distant disasters. It’s about resilient homes, informed homeowners, and local action.
Because the real frontlines of climate change are in our homes.
Keep up with what’s happening in your community — check out Lanark County news.
