My writings - and those of others.
The Way to Net Zero
In the midst of two crises - the pandemic and climate change, it’s easy to forget the promises that goverments made re the latter - to bring carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 - that’s thirty years away. It seems a long time except we also promised to be half way there by 2030 - and we are not even close.
I heard Isabel Turcotte, The Pembina Institute’s Director of federal policy speak at a seminar of the University of Toronto’s Department of the Environment late last year - and she has recently written a good article for Corporate Knights, outlining some principles that the corporate world needs to follow - reminding us that goals are not solely about government initiatives.
Carbon budgets are necessary to measure progress. We have to know where we stand and whether we are making progress or just talking
We have to start early. It’s no point in having a long term goal and delaying putting it into action.
We have to effect the reductions by using all the tools at hand - not just one.
Corporation s have to work together and initiate policy - Turcotte terms it “turning up the heat.
Good reminders.
The Cost of Healing the Planet
Some friends and I are engaged in the Drawdown Eco Challenge heading toward Earth Day - when we hoped to have a different kind of celebration. But we are learning at our own pace - and even competing well at this writing as the team with the third most points in the Canadian section. We get points for doing things that help the planet and learning more about them.
This respected research organization has published its report in 2020 following the best selling book already referenced in our resources section. You can download the report here- which outlines the ten best solutions and their cost. It’s not insignificant - but what it also reveals is that the saving far surpass it. You can download the full report here.
Time for Reflection
In these days of withdrawal from our normal active lives, there are opportunities to poinder issues of importance now and those with implications for the future.
As I look from my 22nd floor at a freight train crossing through a dense part of the city, transportation of goods is even more important now. Since it is one of the major areas in need of rethinking to embrace climate change, here is what a new paper from the Pembina Institute has to say.
Valuing our Ravines in Toronto
City Council member Josh Matlow wrote in a recent newsletter
Toronto Moves Forward with Ravine Strategy Implementation Plan
“Toronto’s unique ravine system is one of our greatest and greenest assets. The scale and scope of this urban green space system – over 300 km and 11,000 hectares – makes Toronto the envy of urban areas across the world. In Midtown, we're lucky to have several ravines that offer peaceful escape from our busy lives. That's why I'm pleased that City Council unanimously adopted the Toronto Ravine Strategy implementation plan this week.
Ravines contain 87 per cent of Toronto's environmentally significant areas, as well as forests and wetlands, and significant plant and animal species. Unfortunately, this critical part of our green infrastructure is threatened by invasive species, climate change, and direct impacts from resident use.
This action strategy wouldn't have happened without advocacy from passionate residents in our community and across the city.”
This is good news, To keep it happening, citizen input is required.
Resolutions for the Planet
I’m often concerned about how little I am doing to combat the climate crisis and I’m reminded by a column today in Fast Company of a few practicail things. One that it doesn’t mention but one that should always be central is that we are not the only species on the planet . As writer and theologian Sally McFague observes, animals and plants were here long before us - and would survive much better without us.
But here are a few I can try.
Watch the number of bottles containing cleaning fluids - keep the sizes that fit on the counter and buy future ones in bulk sizes to refill them. I’ve already been using a concentrated detergent and one large bottle from Method will last a year. It doesn’t hurt that the laundry machines specify using less.
Washable bags for storage - I haven’t found any yet, but I do reuse the ones I have.
Recycled paper in every room in the house - I could do batter on that one.
More meatless meals - because of the crops that are needed to produce meat. It probably means looking at the vegetarian cookbook or the sections of the cookbook that I tend to avoid.
Buy things locally that don’t require more shipping whenever possible.
Never leave the house without a reusable bag to carry stuff home in - I’ve also stopped driving to the grocery store and buying more food than I need. The walking is doing me good and I’ve buying less and saving - since carrying it becomes an issue.
Wear the clothes I already have - fortunately most of them are from materials that have lasted well
These are easy and doable. Now to get on thinking about how to be an advocate.
