The World Meteorological Organization declared on May 17 that global temperatures are most likely to surpass the widely accepted target of 1.5 degrees Celsius (above pre-industrial temperatures) within the next five years.
However, this latest warning seems to have either already been forgotten by many or means little to the public consciousness. People tend to worry more about when to plant their gardens or whether the smoke from the vast fires in Alberta will affect our breathing.
But what can we do about the oncoming climate emergency? Isn’t it up to our governments to do something?
The federal government has instituted a carbon tax, while the province seems more interested in building houses. All four municipalities have made impassioned declarations and are in the midst of developing "climate action plans".
Now the Region of Halton, composed of those same municipal councillors, wants to create its own plan to combat floods, drought, fire, invasive species and the up-and-down temperature changes that make us question whether planting season is here or when it might snow next!
In 2021, the Region single-source contracted a local environmental organization to:
- prepare a greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) inventory
- report on a range of community actions
- prepare and implement community engagement
- position the Halton Climate Collective more formally as a coordinating body for climate action
The (2019) GHG emissions report is in – we all failed to reach any targets set. This was mainly attributed to transportation and buildings.
The Halton Climate Collective had already been facilitated by the environmental organization, Halton Environmental Network (HEN) and includes representatives from the Region, its four municipalities, and the two school boards.
The community engagement, and its intended "range of community actions" is to be implemented on May 30, online starting at 6:30 p.m., with registration required.
As the HEN website says, “We all have an important role to play in advancing climate action and we want to hear from you! What are your priority climate actions and what do you think will inspire our community to advance this work. We are in this together. It’s time to connect and join the climate conversation.”
This really is important. Despite all the finger-pointing, blame-gaming, countless studies that line numerous shelves, we need to keep the pressure up on our politicians to make concrete steps to improve air quality, protect watersheds, offer viable transportation options like transit and safe bicycle lanes, and help implement alternative sources of heat, cooling and energy.
But we already know this. And so do the people who sit on boards and committees and councils. That’s why your added voice is important.
It’s not because some environmental group asks. It’s not because developers can build to minimum standards or in fragile areas. It’s not because it might be costly.
It’s because Alberta is in flames. It’s because cities in Italy (and an entire valley in B.C.) have been flooded. It’s because a cyclone just hit Myanmar. It’s because you know that an increase of 1.5 degrees will not be the end of it.
You have your chance to say that on May 30 and the Region says it will be listening.
