A federal investment will help battle climate change in Northwestern Ontario.

$1.4-million dollars will be provided to four communities in the region to help them reduce their carbon footprints:

$1,276,500 Espanola
$86,500 Timmins
$40,000 Kenora
$36,000 Bracebridge

Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu stressed the importance of being environmentally mindful at a municipal level.

“Of course we can act nationally, but actions at the local level is where the real rubber hits the road if you will,” added Hajdu. “Letters I get are from young people, worried about the future of Northwestern Ontario, worried about the animals of Northwestern Ontario, worried about our own cultural ways living here in the north.”

Local governments influence half of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions.