Toronto City Council Declares a Climate Emergency
October 2nd, 2019
On October 2, 2019, the Toronto City Council declared a climate emergency and committed to accelerating action to address climate change to net zero by 2050. The vote passed unanimously. The City aims to reduce GHGs while also improving health, social equity and the economy; investing in energy efficient homes and buildings; and investing in transit and cycling infrastructure.
FOOD AND CLIMATE CHANGE
The food system is also a major contributor to climate change. It accounts for about a third of all GHGs that humans generate each year (Read more). We cannot address the climate emergency without looking at our food system. The current food system is heavily reliant on fossil fuels in the form of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers; fuel for machinery used to grow, harvest and process food; fuel for trucks that transport food over long distances; and energy for refrigeration. As well, recent studies have found that higher temperatures are reducing the amount of nutrients (zinc, iron, and magnesium) available in our food (Read more).
In recent years, Toronto residents and businesses have experienced more frequent flooding and other severe weather events. Toronto’s weather is expected to get hotter, wetter and wilder as climate risks increase. In the event of an emergency, Toronto has only three days of fresh food and 17 days of all food products (Read more).
This month, the City is inviting residents to share their ideas on climate action and priorities for Toronto by attending a public meeting or completing an online survey. The online survey will be available starting October 7 and public meetings begin October 8. More information about the upcoming consultations can be found below and about the City’s TransformTO climate action strategy at http://www.toronto.ca/transformto.
UPCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS
Date: Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Time: 6:30 to 8:45 p.m.
Location: Etobicoke Civic Centre, Meeting Rooms 1, 2, 3
Date: Thursday, October 17, 2019
Time: 6:30 to 8:45 p.m.
Location: Warden Hilltop Community Centre, Multipurpose Room
Date: Thursday, October 24, 2019
Time: 6:30 to 8:45 p.m.
Location: North York Memorial Community Hall, Burgundy Room A
Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Time: 6:30 to 8:45 p.m.
Location: Metro Hall, Room 308/309