Media Releases

[PRESS RELEASE] City of Ottawa votes today on new plan to fight climate change

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 20, 2014

(Ottawa): For the first time in almost a decade, a new plan to fight climate change goes before the City of Ottawa's Environment Committee today. Local environmental organization Ecology Ottawa is welcoming the strategy as an important step in the right direction.

"This plan is about improving people's lives and protecting Ottawa against the kind of severe weather that has devastated cities like Calgary in recent years," said Graham Saul, Executive Director of Ecology Ottawa. "We can strengthen public transit, expand greenspace and save money through energy efficiency while simultaneously preparing for more frequent heat waves, torrential downpours and power outages."

A Substantial Step Forward on Climate Change in Ottawa

[Recently sent to Ecology Ottawa email update subscribers.]

This month is historic.

Wow! Hundreds of Ecology Ottawa supporters made this happen. We've entered a new phase with dramatic progress on our climate change campaign.

How we got here

Since its founding in 2006 Ecology Ottawa has made local action on climate change one of its most important priorities. Local use of energy which ultimately causes the burning of oil, coal or gas is contributing greenhouse gases to the atmosphere and is worsening the greatest crisis of our time. Our local climate is changing bringing new and increased risks for which we must prepare.

Update to Climate Change Campaign Supporters

[Recently emailed to Ecology Ottawa supporters particularly concerned about climate change. To get on that list add your name to our Ottawa climate pledge.]

Because of the actions of people like you, the City of Ottawa renewed its commitment to action on climate change.

Ecology Ottawa has now had enough time to do a preliminary evaluation of the plan made public by the city on Tuesday. We've consulted with experts so we can provide you with an early summary of the new plan as well as our reaction to it. The plan contains a "short-list" of actions and we'll be reviewing these more closely over the coming weeks. Once we've done that we'll let you know how they stack up.

The City of Ottawa’s New Climate Change Plan – What Does It Mean?

The 2014 Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan runs to more than 160 pages including appendices. You can download it here. It represents city hall’s renewed commitment to taking action on climate change.

Have you added your name to the Ottawa climate pledge?

Much of the plan is an accounting of the not inconsiderable groundwork that has already been laid in attempting to address the problem. The plan includes impressively detailed information on such important things as energy supply and demand in Ottawa; and considerations in choosing whether or not to attempt to stimulate private building energy retrofits. The document openly admits that previous greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets were missed; further, that what progress has been made toward those targets is mostly due to actions at the provincial level in the phase out of coal burning electrical generation.

Trees in the Glebe

[caption id="attachment_2953" align="alignleft" width="168"] Red Oak[/caption]

The Glebe Report has published a terrific centre fold piece on native trees to plant this spring. Have a look here: Ecology in the Glebe.

"The Environment Committee of the Glebe Community Association and the Glebe Community Network of Ecology Ottawa are happy to provide advice and support. We have put together this insert that contains the results of our research on characteristics, local availability and suitability of a selection of trees. Consult and use as the need arises. Keep in mind that we are seeking to foster diversity, not overplanted, mostly native, climate change adaptive trees in the Glebe. Since the best times to plant trees are in the spring and fall, I suggest that you might want to get started now." Read More

City Climate Change Plan Released

Today the City of Ottawa posted its new climate change management plan. This is a draft that will be considered at the city's Environment Committee meeting next Tuesday May 20.

The public can attend city hall meetings like this. It starts at 10am in the main council chambers and may run 2 hours or so.

Within the next few days Ecology Ottawa will provide a summary of what this city plan means but in the mean time if you wish to read it you can download the plan here.

Volunteer "scientists" wanted for Stream Watch Program - no experience required.

[caption id="attachment_2993" align="alignleft" width="300"] Sawmill Creek Stream near South Keys Mall[/caption]

OTTAWA, May 12, 2014 — The City Stream Watch Program is looking for volunteer “scientists” to help monitor, protect and clean up Ottawa streams. Now is the best time to get involved – a Stream Watch Training Session is being held for volunteers on Saturday, May 31. The training session will welcome new volunteers and introduce them to the basic techniques of stream assessment and being a stream scientist.

“If you’ve ever wanted to be a citizen scientist, then now’s the perfect time to get involved,” said Chelsey Ellis, City Stream Watch Coordinator. “All necessary equipment is provided and there is no cost to volunteers. People can choose which stream or streams they wish to work on over the summer.”

Please join us for the Stream Watch Training Session along Sawmill Creek on Saturday, May 31 from 10 a.m. to noon. Pre-registration for this event is required. To register or for more information, please contact Chelsey Ellis, City Stream Watch Coordinator at [email protected].

Trees in the Glebe: a rainy Jane's walk!

It was an rainy morning walk, but still 20 intrepid souls came out to see the wonder of the Glebe Canopy! Owen and Bettina were the walk leaders, but the excellent organizational elements were managed by Jessica once again this year. A Big thanks to Leigh at Jane's Walk for organizing the frame for these wonderful community walks.

Trees are a matter of life and death!

[caption id="attachment_2953" align="alignleft" width="225"] Red Oak by the Rideau River, Ottawa[/caption]

Sullivan argued that “living without trees has a significant cost.” He said the location of trees also really matters. While “big central parks matter, they are not enough. Too many people live in barren landscapes. A 30-40 percent tree cover adds a lot to health. We need trees at every doorstep.”

Spring Cleaning for a Good Cause

Now in its 7th year, the Great Glebe GREEN Garage Sale has become one of Ecology Ottawa’s flagship annual events. What started as a humble fundraiser in 2008 has grown into a massive event that—in addition to the garage sale itself—now features a vegetarian BBQ (join us for lunch), a bake sale (including hot coffee at the crack of dawn), and live musical performances.

Tell the Ontario Energy Board what you think about Energy East!

13741774874_389141f8a3_o There is still time for comments to be submitted to the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) on the proposed Energy East pipeline that would ship over 1 million barrels of tarsands crude thorugh Ottawa.

It's an unprecedented consultation process. 200 of us went to the public hearing in Stittsville April 7 to say why the pipeline's all risk and no reward for Ottawa, now please have your say and tell the OEB you want a Tar Free 613 !

Health & Climate Change - Contributed Material

Several contributors and attendees to tomorrow's event Sick of Climate Change have submitted material they'd like to share.

From Public Health Ontario, which can also be downloaded here and for which there are other infographics available here.

Also available (downloadable here).