SWITCH ON HOPE
An all-in-one resource for energy affordability
Energy poverty is already here.
Let's find solutions together!
Energy poverty is a pressing issue affecting more than one-third of New Brunswick households. Simply put, individuals or families who struggle to pay their energy bills are considered to be living in energy poverty. This often forces difficult decisions, such as choosing between heating the home and putting food on the table.
Meanwhile, energy affordability refers to the ability of an individual or household to comfortably afford the energy required for their basic needs without facing financial strain.
Unfortunately, many households can't afford the energy they need, particularly in rural areas where access to affordable energy resources and efficient housing infrastructure may be lacking. Rural communities are disproportionately affected by energy poverty due to various factors, including limited access to affordable energy options and outdated housing structures that are inefficient in conserving energy.
Investing in long-term strategies and solutions that prioritize energy affordability to combat energy poverty is essential. By promoting energy efficiency and affordability and ensuring equitable access to resources, we can work towards building a more inclusive and resilient society.
YOU ARE MORE POWERFUL THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE.
GET INSPIRED.
'Switch on Hope' music video project
Music and climate change education combine!
Stephen Hero (Matt Elliot) worked with two groups of young talents—one at the Carleton Community Centre (CCC) and the other at the Interaction School of Performing Arts.
Each group embarked on a creative journey to compose songs that tackle the critical issues of energy poverty and climate change. Their efforts led them to a professional recording studio, where these budding musicians transformed their ideas into recorded masterpieces.
These projects aimed to create a sense of community and start conversations about the pressing issue of energy poverty in our province. By coming together, we hope we can pave the way toward a more just and sustainable future.
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR ENERGY USAGE.
GET THE FACTS.
Feeling the strain of keeping the heat on?
There’s a decent chance you are—more than one-third of New Brunswickers live in energy poverty, meaning they have to spend an unsustainable proportion of their monthly income on energy costs.
Traditional definitions of energy poverty focus only on economic factors. However, energy poverty is also defined by social factors like income, housing status, and location. By expanding the definition of energy poverty to include these social factors, we can understand and deal with the problem more effectively.
Check out our resources to learn more about energy poverty and what action we can take to address this pressing problem.
SIGN, WRITE, AND LEAD THE WAY TO A BETTER TOMORROW!
GET INVOLVED.
How can I make a difference?
New Brunswick needs an electricity system built on transparency, accountability, and trust and offers a fair, secure, and sustainable electricity future.
Today, we can enjoy affordable electricity that we can rely on and that generates little to no pollution. New wind and solar projects are the cheapest forms of electricity on Earth. Five times cheaper than coal, five times cheaper than nuclear energy, and three times cheaper than natural gas.
At the Conservation Council, we push policymakers to make decisions that will lead to a clean and affordable energy future. Check out our resources to help you get in contact with decision-makers to demand renewable, affordable energy.