Our changing climate poses a severe threat to both human wellbeing and that of the many animals, plants and insects that inhabit our planet. The Sierra Club Canada Foundation works on both the national and the local level to reduce greenhouse gasses and to promote sustainable energy practices.
By Rosemary Keenan, Chair Sierra Peel Group
On June 5, 2019 the City of Brampton Council responded to growing community concerns and declared a Climate Emergency. Since then the City has been accelerating development of a Community Energy and Emissions Reductions Plan (CEERP) designed to transform Brampton’s energy use and reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050.
COP25, a conference that began with a flurry of media attention, ended December 15th after falling woefully short of expectations. The UN climate change conference was plagued with bad luck before it had even begun. Brazil had originally planned to hold COP25, but reversed its decision only two months after agreeing to host. Chile replaced Brazil as host, but withdrew with only a month left before the conference, after weeks of mass protests in response to inequality in the country.
From our friends at Community AIR (Airport Impact Review):
This is a press release from January 3, 2020, also attached as a PDF
CommunityAIR: Climate Crisis Means Pickering Airport Proposal Must Finally Be Abandoned
For Immediate Release Friday, January 3, 2020
Two major environmental victories have taken place recently, derailing important parts of the war on the environment. Both victories saved programs to plant trees. Trees are critical to rescuing Lake Erie from massive algae blooms brought on by the twin evils of deforestation and phosphorus pollution.
When the Minister of Transportation, Steven Del Duca, announced the termination of an environmental assessment for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) West Corridor in December of 2015, those who cherish the earth in Ontario gave a great sigh of relief. The proposed 50 kilometer-long expressway planned to slash through entirely environmental and agricultural zones, much of which is protected by the Greenbelt. The plan was a salt tipped dagger on Lake Ontario.
June 13, 2019
Dear Ministers McKenna, Sohi, and Wilkinson,
The new Impact Assessment Act, Bill C69, will make environmental assessments for offshore oil and gas activities in Atlantic Canada have even less credibility than they do now.
The draft amendments to the bill introduced in the House of Commons on June 12 will allow offshore petroleum boards to chair review panels that will assess offshore oil and gas projects.
On April 16, 2019 Alberta joins the rest of the Prairie provinces with a majority conservative government.
In light of a polarizing campaign putting the environment at odds with economic development, the questions begs, how do move forward together?
By David Poch, Green Energy Coalition
On March 21st Ontario Minister of Energy, Greg Rickford, released Bill 87, entitled Fixing the Hydro Mess. But rather than sustainably reducing consumer bills in Ontario it will enlarge the economic and environmental mess that past energy policies are visiting on the province.
On Monday, February 25th, we will be in court arguing that the licence to drill in the Gulf of St. Lawrence is illegal.
Our National Program Director Gretchen Fitzgerald has a little VIDEO MESSAGE for you.
Wishing you and yours a peaceful and safe New Year.
Melissa Munro - Director of Development and Communications
Because of your support and strong commitment to the environment, we were able to take on some very challenging campaigns this year:
No matter where you are right now, I want you to take a quiet moment to watch this. Just stop and let it sink in. Aren't they magnificent?
"Let's change our national motto - "From sea to sea" forgets that we have three oceans; the Arctic is largest part of our coastline. We're an ocean nation, if our youth grow up knowing that, it will change how we do things... 'From sea to sea to sea'!" - Geoff Green, Executive Director and Founder of Students on Ice
From coast to coast, Sierra Club Canada Foundation staff and volunteers in all 5 of our Chapters have worked hard for years, campaigning to protect endangered Blue Whales in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, to ban the use of bee killing neonicotinoid pesticides, to create a national climate change action plan and to expand green space in and around our cities.
It’s that time of year when many of us are thinking about home improvements and ways to save on upcoming heating costs while reducing our carbon footprint.
Why do the vast majority of houses have a lawn in the front and backyard? Sure, they're nice to walk on but who doesn't bemoan the weekly ritual of mowing and other care required to keep that lawn green?
