How are you doing? These are strange and difficult times, and as much as we all know that physical distancing is what’s needed to combat this global pandemic, it doesn’t make the process easier. Here at Ecology Ottawa, we’ve been thinking about how we can continue to engage Ottawans and give you the tools to green-up your communities.
During these strange times of self-isolation and physical distancing, there's no better chance to catch up on reading. Even better, to read something inspiring and relevant to a world that seems to change with each passing hour.
Our Board Member Charles Hodgson recently came across The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis, by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac. We wanted to share his note with you below.
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to do profound damage around the world, cities are working to find to safeguard public health while providing residents with access to fresh air and exercise. Meanwhile, struggling businesses are seeking outdoor access so that they can operate in a safe way.
by Linzi Redekop
One of our supporters, Linzi, is "very passionate about protecting the land zones currently in place and discouraging urban sprawl". As part of one of her assignments for her environmental justice class at Carleton, she was tasked to write a story linking to environmental justice theory. She chose to write hers based on the Hold the Line campaign. Enjoy!
With the rapid spread of COVID-19, we have entered a period of crisis for our city and the global community as a whole.
At Ecology Ottawa, we're monitoring COVID-19 developments and following all recommendations from Ottawa Public Health. Following these recommendations, our team has moved to an online work mode and we are postponing all public events until further notice. If you need to contact us, please connect by email (using [email protected] or our direct email addresses), as our office line isn't being regularly monitored at this time.
We recently wrote Anita Anand (Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada) and Ottawa Centre MP Catherine McKenna with an inquiry on the status of funding for the switch to carbon neutral heating for the National Capital Region district energy system.
Investments in decarbonization of our local energy system is critically important for climate progress in Ottawa and across federal government operations.
(Edited on March 12)
On May 4, city council will be deciding on the fate of our urban boundary. This may be the most important and long-lasting climate decision council will make this term. We need your help to fight climate change, protect our city’s greenspaces, and rein in costly urban sprawl.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
- We are currently organizing meetings between your neighbours and your city councillor. Email our volunteer leader Isaac to meet with your city councillor and express your concerns. Now, more than ever, your help is needed to persuade council to make the right choice.
- Go online and use our simple tool to help you reach out to your city councillor by email or phone. Your voice is the most important voice in this fight! As a constituent, councillors value what you have to say.
- Sign the petition! We now have more than 2,500 signatures, but this is not enough. If we hope to convince the city that our voices should be heard, we want to hit at least 3,500 signatures before May 4. There are only a few weeks to go!
This article is part of the Council Watch series, a volunteer-driven program designed to inform Ottawa residents of environmentally significant decisions at City Hall. Council Watch consists in a systematic and strategic attendance of city council and committee meetings. Our goal is to keep you informed and, together, to hold municipal representatives accountable. The views expressed below belong to the author and are not necessarily those of Ecology Ottawa.
-
Are you keen to monitor City Hall? We're looking for Council Watchers who will attend Council and Committee meetings and help produce monthly reports on the goings-on at City Hall.
- You will stay current with policies shaping your city;
- You will learn how the proverbial sausage gets made in Municipal Policy;
- You get to meet other Council Watchers who are keen on what they do
- You provide a valuable service to the community and help keep our elected representatives accountable
As we speak, the City of Ottawa is working on a new Official Plan. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a better city – one that fights sprawl while ensuring accessible transit, building walkable neighbourhoodsand helping Ottawans transition away from the car.
The new Official Plan must be Ottawa’s climate emergency plan. Hold the Line is a necessary city-wide initiative to adequately respond to the Climate Emergency.
Future development needs to reach a 64% share of intensification in order to hold the urban boundary line where it is today. The city’s Official Plan proposal only reaches a 51% share of intensification and 49% greenfield development.