One Change is a not-for-profit organization based in Ottawa, Ontario, with project offices in four provinces and two states. We empower people to believe that simple actions matter, and to make smart energy choices in their daily lives.
Download our PDFs: What Is One Change? :: Evaluation Highlights :: What People Are Saying
One Change develops and runs community-based action-oriented energy conservation campaigns, such as our award-winning Project Porchlight. Our programs convert environmental awareness into action by mobilizing existing community groups to be spokespeople for environmental messages in their own neighbourhoods. By making energy conservation personal and accessible, One Change is able to reach and engage people who don’t respond to traditional conservation or environmental messages, and to promote simple yet effective changes that have a global impact.
It all started with an epiphany: A light went on
One Change was formed by a group of friends in 2005 after its founder, Stuart Hickox, stumbled upon a compelling statistic from ENERGY STAR USA:
“If every household in the United States replaced one incandescent bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL), the reduction in pollution from energy production would be the equivalent of taking 800,000 cars off the road.”
Stuart realized that making simple and universal first actions accessible to the public could be the gateway to broad public participation in environmental protection. One Change was born.
Simple Actions Matter
The award-winning flagship program of One Change is Project Porchlight. In 2005-2006, with the support of the Ontario Power Authority, Hydro Ottawa and TD Bank Financial Group, and the work of community groups and volunteers, Project Porchlight delivered 225,000 free CFLs door-to-door to homes across Ottawa. From there, the campaign spread quickly, first across Ontario and then as far away as Yukon. Political figures, youth volunteers, faith-based groups and local businesses pitched in to make smart energy choices accessible and show others how a simple, community-based message can be a powerful catalyst for change.
Since 2005, over 7,000 registered volunteers from 800 groups in 300 communities have been engaged to deliver more than 1.5 million lightbulbs and carry the “Simple Actions Matter” message directly to doorsteps in neighbourhoods across North America. Simple tools like energy efficient light bulbs, tire gauges and other accessible, tangible items carry sponsor conservation messages directly into the home, making abstract concepts such as “climate change” and “energy crisis” understandable and surmountable.
Simple actions matter. Contact us to find out how to bring One Change to your community.