Media Releases

The results are in! - 6 Cumberland by-election candidates respond to Ecology Ottawa's survey

The results are in! - 6 Cumberland by-election candidates respond to Ecology Ottawa's survey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Cumberland candidates make bold environmental pledges on planning, transportation and campaign finance reform

PRESS RELEASE
September 18, 2020

(OTTAWA) – In the run-up to the Cumberland ward by-election on October 5, Ecology Ottawa has released the results of an environmental priorities survey, shared with all candidates on August 28. The 11-question survey focused on pressing environmental issues including climate change, transportation and nature protection. All candidates were asked to answer “yes” or “no” questions and provided an explanation for their responses if they desired. Six of ten candidates completed the survey. 

Reducing Ottawa's carbon pollution and preserving our urban green space: A balancing act

Ottawa’s population is increasing, and like all growing cities, we face an inherent tension between preserving our living environment and meeting the needs of the human population.

Like other cities – especially North American ones – Ottawa has a long history of prioritizing low-density development patterns to accommodate its population. This approach can result in urban sprawl, and has a range of profound environmental costs. It dramatically increases per capita carbon pollution, eliminates vast tracts of greenspace and farmland, threatens local biodiversity and poses structural challenges to the viability of transit and active transportation across our city.

You're invited! Cumberland Ward Environment Debate

You're invited! Cumberland Ward Environment Debate

On and before October 5, Cumberland-area voters will cast their ballot for one of 10 candidates vying to take a seat on Ottawa City Council.

On August 28, Ecology Ottawa issued an election questionnaire on pressing environmental issues to all Cumberland candidates with email addresses listed on the City of Ottawa candidate page. Here are the results!

Public letter re: Active transportation infrastructure in Orléans

Public letter re: Active transportation infrastructure in Orléans

Following conversations between our supporters, Orléans-area councillors and Bike Ottawa, we wrote to east end federal and provincial representatives to seek public funding for a new multi-use path with protected intersections on Orléans Boulevard.

Read on to see our letter...

Public letter to Glebe BIA

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Ottawa, we launched an initiative for safe access to Ottawa's streets. We wanted Ottawa to follow the lead of cities around the world to re-purpose under-used streets. This situation is particularly acute in dense urban areas, where it can be difficult or impossible for residents to access basic amenities while following physical distancing guidelines.

Making a Difference with Data

Whenever someone asks me what my job entails, and I follow-up excitedly saying ‘data management’, I see their eyes gloss over as all hope of an interesting conversation fades. What many of my friends and colleagues fail to recognize is the vital importance that data management has to keep an organization like Ecology Ottawa running.

An action plan for 15-minute neighbourhoods

An action plan for 15-minute neighbourhoods

On May 27th 2020, the mayor and a majority on Ottawa City Council voted to dramatically worsen urban sprawl. Council’s vote marks a major setback for every one of Ecology Ottawa’s priority areas – from climate action, to biodiversity and greenspace protection, to the viability of transit and active transportation in our city. Fighting sprawl was the most important thing Ottawa city council could have done to take action on the climate crisis.

4 Ways To Champion Biodiversity

4 Ways To Champion Biodiversity

Biodiversity is nature. Healthy and biodiverse ecosystems provide services that we depend on for healthy communities and a strong economy. Unfortunately, we are experiencing an unprecedented rate of biodiversity loss as a result of human-caused threats, including habitat destruction, overexploitation, invasive species, pollution and climate change.

Ottawa Council just failed its most important environmental test. What happens now?

Just now, the mayor and a majority on Ottawa City Council voted to dramatically worsen urban sprawl. This was the most important environmental vote this term of council, and will define the environmental legacy of most councillors’ entire careers. Council’s vote marks a major setback for every one of Ecology Ottawa’s priority areas – from climate action, to biodiversity and greenspace protection, to the viability of transit and active transportation in our city. 

Ottawa Council just failed its most important environmental test. What happens now?

Ottawa Council just failed its most important environmental test. What happens now?

Just now, the mayor and a majority on Ottawa City Council voted to dramatically worsen urban sprawl. This was the most important environmental vote this term of council, and will define the environmental legacy of most councillors’ entire careers. Council’s vote marks a major setback for every one of Ecology Ottawa’s priority areas – from climate action, to biodiversity and greenspace protection, to the viability of transit and active transportation in our city. 

Join us! "What Sprawl Costs Ottawa" webinar - Tuesday, May 26 at 12pm

Join us! "What Sprawl Costs Ottawa" webinar - Tuesday, May 26 at 12pm

Ottawa city councillors are about to make the biggest decision - and probably the biggest mistake - of their political careers.

An expanded urban boundary will trigger more sprawl, destroy precious farmland and wild spaces, make it harder to deliver essential services like affordable housing and transit, and make the city more vulnerable in a climate emergency (or the next pandemic).

Join us! "Housing, Homelessness, and Climate Emergencies: How the Official Plan can Help Create a City for All" - Monday, May 25 at 7pm

Join us! "Housing, Homelessness, and Climate Emergencies: How the Official Plan can Help Create a City for All" - Monday, May 25 at 7pm

On Monday, May 25, community groups and their supporters are hosting an important conversation about inequities, under-appreciated emergencies, and how the Official Plan can meaningfully address these urgent issues to help create a city for all.

Representatives of the Alliance to End Homelessness, City for All Women Initiative, Ecology Ottawa, Healthy Transportation Coalition, and Housing Managers Collective will host a panel discussion followed by a community conversation about what we should do when elected officials let us down.

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