As we approach the end of 2019, we can't shake the feeling - this was the year the ground shifted in the fight for climate action. We know that with all environmental efforts, progress can often be slow or halting. But too many good things happened in 2019 to be ignored. As part of the growing Ottawa environmental community, your efforts are the reason for the progress we're seeing.
The City of Ottawa launched the first stage of the light rail transit system in September 2019. Multiple issues arising soon after the inauguration, Ecology Ottawa and The Ken and Debbie Rubin Public Interest Advocacy Fund saw an opportunity to assess and shed more light on how light rail stations perform across a range of social and sustainability-related concerns. As a pilot program, Ecology Ottawa sees a need for further study of the challenges and opportunities surrounding the implementation of light rail in Ottawa, ongoing monitoring of the Confederation Line network, as well as for content that will help ensure the successful delivery of the second stage of the light rail. This is a first attempt at delineating several lines of evaluation, studying only two stations.
On Monday, November 25, Mayor Jim Watson and Coun. Stephen Blais launched the 2020-2024 Road Safety Action Plan.
To say this document was eagerly anticipated would be an understatement. For years, Ecology Ottawa and other local groups have been advocating for Vision Zero - a plan to eliminate severe injury and death on Ottawa's streets. Yet when tangible policy reforms for Vision Zero have been proposed - as in June 2019, with a motion from Coun. Catherine McKenney - council was told to trust in the process. The June 2019 Vision Zero motion was ultimately rejected by council. The reasoning was that road safety was already a city priority, and that Vision Zero was "just a brand."
Ecology Ottawa is meeting with community members at the Pineview Community Hub on Thursday, November 28th from 7-9pm.
Ecology Ottawa will be presenting the results from the audit conducted around Blair station where we evaluated how accessible the station is for pedestrians and cyclists. Click here to read the full report.
We are excited to hear participants' views on our results - What did we miss? What did we do right? Input received from the community will be shared with city councillors.
In spring 2019, as Ottawa’s Light Rail Transit system readied for launch, Ecology Ottawa began an audit to assess the state of active transportation (i.e. walking and cycling) connection points to two stations (Blair and Baseline).
Follow this link to access the final findings and recommendations on opportunities to build active transportation infrastructure, in order to make walking and cycling safer, more accessible and more convenient for all users.
On November 15th and 16th, Ecology Ottawa, Greenspace Alliance, Community Association for Environmental Sustainability (CAFES) and the Youth Climate Ambassadors hosted a workshop on Climate Solutions and Ottawa’s Official Plan. Individuals and organizations from all areas of the city, from the downtown core to the rural wards discussed and co-created targeted climate solutions that can help shape the Official Plan.
On November 15th and 16th, Ecology Ottawa, Greenspace Alliance, Community Association for Environmental Sustainability (CAFES) and the Youth Climate Ambassadors are hosting a workshop on Climate Solutions and Ottawa's Official Plan. Individuals and organizations from all areas of the city, from the downtown core to the rural wards will discuss and co-create targeted climate solutions that can help shape the Official Plan.
November 6, 2019
OTTAWA - Yesterday, Mayor Jim Watson presented the City of Ottawa's draft 2020 budget to council. While the budget makes headway in some areas, it largely continues status quo investments on environmental initiatives in the city. At a high level, its tone and level of urgency are at odds with the global push for ambitious action in the face of the escalating climate emergency.
On Wednesday, November 6, Mayor Jim Watson presented the draft city budget for 2020.
This budget has implications for all three of Ecology Ottawa's program areas:
- LIVING CITY, our program to protect and enhance Ottawa's trees, water and green space;
- RENEWABLE CITY, our program on climate change and energy policy; and
- ACTIVE CITY, our program on sustainable transportation.
This is it. On Monday, October 21, Canadians will head to the polls and cast their votes.
Obviously, there's a lot at stake in this federal election. The United Nations tells us we have just over a decade to limit climate catastrophe. More than ever before, the world needs national governments unafraid to take bold climate action. Canada can play this role - but only if our elected leaders know that we demand climate leadership.
Over the course of this summer, we've been talking with thousands of you at the door about making climate change a major election priority. We've been amazed at the level of interest and engagement. And while most of our conversations have been in suburban Ottawa, it's clear that climate change is emerging as a ballot-box issue all across the country.
What an amazing Gala we had on Wednesday November 20th, 2019.
We want to give a big shout out to everyone who helped make this night a success. Together we created an amazing space where the environmental community in Ottawa can gather.
Below are some photos highlighting the event. We look forward to next year!
