This week, Ottawa City's Environment and Climate Change Committee received the annual update report from City staff on progress under the Climate Change Master Plan, the ambitious strategy for climate change mitigation and adaptation work needed in the Nation's Capital.
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In celebration of Earth Day 2023, we at Ecology Ottawa are highlighting the people, places, plants, and animals of Ottawa that inspire our communities to take action, find innovative solutions, and work together to protect our environment. We call on you to nominate members of your community that work hard and inspire others to create change!
Beyond the $47 million in cuts to transit in the 2023 budget, City Council left a $39 million gap they were hoping other levels of government would fill.
The problem? They didn't get any such funding. Now OC Transpo is left with a substantial deficit, and they just started a "review" of bus routes "to optimize our existing transit system."
Ecology Ottawa co-signed a letter sent to Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and the rest of City Council about the Tree Protection Bylaw. This letter followed the discussion at a meeting of the City's Environment and Climate Change Committee sparked by the clear-cutting of over 70 hectares of forested Tewin lands.
We were saddened to see so many trees lost in Wednesday’s freezing rain. As many have commented, this loss highlights the urgent need to strengthen our urban forest canopy: tree-threatening weather events will only increase as we feel the effects of climate change. At the same time, trees are critical to combatting the effects of climate change: they cool down our communities during hot weather, soak up water during storms, provide habitat for birds and animals, filter and clean the air, sequester carbon, and improve mental health.
So what can you do to strengthen Ottawa's urban forest canopy?
As everyone’s getting their most recent winter home heating bill, you might be asking yourself if there’s a better option. Luckily there is, and that option is an air-source heat pump.
Ecology Ottawa gave a delegation at the meeting of City Council's Environment and Climate Change Committee in opposition to the recent destruction of over 70 hectares of forested lands at the city's southeast edge.
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The circumstances behind the Transit Commission’s emergency meeting on January 27 gave cause for some suspicion. The meeting was called for the commission to approve the funding being directed to Ottawa’s planned Zero-Emission Bus (ZEB) acquisition, which includes a $350M grant from Infrastructure Canada and a $75M drawdown from the Canada Infrastructure Bank, before the city council draft budget meeting on February 1.
Ottawa residents can speak up against the appalling clear-cutting of Tewin Lands by signing our form letter calling on Mayor Mark Sutcliffe to hold those responsible accountable for this senseless destruction.
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This has been one of the warmest winters on record in the National Capital Region – for the first time ever, the Rideau Canal Skateway won’t open, and ice sculptures melted in the streets during Ottawa’s beloved Winterlude festival. Winter sports keep us healthy and happy, but fossil-fuelled climate change is melting the snow and ice they depend on. That's why fossil fuel company Enbridge Gas’ sponsorship of the Winterlude festival is wrong.