Community is at the heart of the work that Ecology Ottawa does. Community partners, associations, engaged citizens, friends, and neighbours all play a part in defining important environmental and social issues in our city, and deciding how Ecology Ottawa can contribute. Two weeks ago, as part of our year-long green infrastructure (G.I.) program in Britannia, Belltown, and Crystal Bay, we held a community event to ask people what ideas they have to “green” their communities. Not only that, we explored some obstacles that people face in making more sustainable choices day-to-day and long-term. Have you been wondering what you can do at home, or in community, to reduce your impact on the Earth and its resources? Are you looking for some inspiration, or resources, to begin living a more socially and environmentally sustainable life? Unsure of where to begin?
Community is at the heart of the work that Ecology Ottawa does. Community partners, associations, engaged citizens, friends, and neighbours all play a part in defining important environmental and social issues in our city, and deciding how Ecology Ottawa can contribute. Two weeks ago, as part of our year-long green infrastructure (G.I.) program in Britannia, Belltown, and Crystal Bay, we held a community event to ask people what ideas they have to "green" their communities. Not only that, we explored some obstacles that people face in making more sustainable choices day-to-day and long-term. Have you been wondering what you can do at home, or in community, to reduce your impact on the Earth and its resources? Are you looking for some inspiration, or resources, to begin living a more socially and environmentally sustainable life? Unsure of where to begin?
The City of Ottawa is in the midst of developing a new Official Plan – its major land use and policy document, designed to shape Ottawa for decades into the future.
Getting the new Official Plan right is critical for many reasons. Most importantly, the new Official Plan will have a dramatic impact on whether we as a city do our fair share to tackle the climate crisis. The United Nations has identified the next 11 years as critical to avoiding climate catastrophe. It’s all hands on deck, and cities like Ottawa have an opportunity to lead the way in the transition to a climate-friendly world. In other words, the new Official Plan must be Ottawa’s climate emergency plan.
Setting the stage
The City of Ottawa is in the midst of developing a new Official Plan - its major land use and policy document, designed to shape Ottawa for decades into the future.
Getting the new Official Plan right is critical for many reasons. Most importantly, the new Official Plan will have a dramatic impact on whether we as a city do our fair share to tackle the climate crisis. The United Nations has identified the next 11 years as critical to avoiding climate catastrophe. It's all hands on deck, and cities like Ottawa have an opportunity to lead the way in the transition to a climate-friendly world. In other words, the new Official Plan must be Ottawa's climate emergency plan.
A once-in-a-generation opportunity
Ottawa City Council declared a Climate Emergency in spring 2019. On May 11 and 12, 2020, the City will make a final decision on Ottawa’s urban boundary. 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.
A once-in-a-generation opportunity
Ottawa City Council declared a Climate Emergency in spring 2019. On May 11 and 12, 2020, the City will make a final decision on Ottawa’s urban boundary. 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 70% intensification (on currently developed land) and 30% greenfield development (on previously undeveloped land) within the current boundary. The new Official Plan 'balanced' proposal suggests 60% intensification and 40% greenfield development.
As many of you may know, a large part of the work that our Living City team does — beyond our green infrastructure and greenspace protection campaigns — relates to trees. More specifically, we collaborate on, organize, and attend community events so that we can give away native tree seedlings to as many Ottawa area residents as possible! The appetite for planting trees and re-greening our capital has proven to be a large one: Our goal for this spring and summer was to distribute 12,000 trees, and it excites us to announce that we have surpassed the 10,000 tree mark!
As many of you may know, a large part of the work that our Living City team does -- beyond our green infrastructure and greenspace protection campaigns -- relates to trees. More specifically, we collaborate on, organize, and attend community events so that we can give away native tree seedlings to as many Ottawa area residents as possible! The appetite for planting trees and re-greening our capital has proven to be a large one: Our goal for this spring and summer was to distribute 12,000 trees, and it excites us to announce that we have surpassed the 10,000 tree mark!
Photo by Marc-Olivier Jodoin - https://unsplash.com/photos/NqOInJ-ttqM
It has been a dark week for local democracy in Ottawa.
Last Wednesday, council green-lit an Old Ottawa East development that violated a years-old neighbourhood plan. The original design was rooted in thousands of hours of community consultation and engagement with city processes, but no matter. In the end, the developer pulled the rug out from under the community. Planning committee refused to stop the process, and council gave its stamp of approval with a 14-9 vote in favour of the project.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted into our atmosphere from human activities is the leading cause of climate change. Over the last 200 years, the concentration of CO2 in our atmosphere has increased and to a level which is now 1.4 times higher than at any time over the previous 200,000 years. If we don’t reduce our emissions very rapidly, the consequences for our planet will be catastrophic.
On June 12, City Council discussed the motion brought forward by Councillor Catherine McKenney on May 22 asking for the city to adopt Vision Zero policy and framework for eliminating all traffic fatalities and serious injury while promoting safe, healthy, and equitable transportation. The motion asks staff to report back with recommendations for the Road Safety Action Plan with respect to traffic lights, putting vulnerable road users first, options to eliminate ‘revert reds’, criteria to eliminate ‘beg buttons’, criteria for the elimination of right turns on red in the presence of bike lanes, identify the floating bike lanes and criteria to turn them into safe segregated bike lanes, and review requirements and costs to impose a city wide 30 km/h speed limit on residential streets.
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Do you enjoy being outdoors?
Are you passionate about environmental issues and comfortable communicating with others?
Ecology Ottawa is seeking self-motivated environmentalists to join our door-to-door canvass team! Our outreach canvass raises awareness of our issues on the doorstep, and raises funds to support our projects and campaigns.
Overview: