Tag: Climate Action Muskoka

Climate Action Muskoka Raises The Alarm About Bill 23

CAM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Omnibus bill guts environmental protections province-wide

Muskoka, November 15, 2022 — Climate Action Muskoka has joined dozens of groups and municipalities across the province in raising the alarm about Ontario Bill 23, aka “More Homes Built Faster Act.” In an open letter to Muskoka’s Towns, Townships and District government and staff, CAM urges the municipal government and citizens across Muskoka to raise our collective voice in opposition.

The provincial government claims that Bill 23 was designed to address the housing crisis. But what Bill 23 actually does is open the door for developers to pave over wetlands, farmlands, forests and waterways that were previously protected.

It takes away the power of municipal governments—including those in Muskoka—to make planning decisions, reduces their autonomy and tax base, and silences conservation authorities and other environmental protection groups.

This bill exacerbates sprawl, undermines affordability, and ends the use of municipal green building standards. It is most harmful to those municipalities already on a green path. The only winners here are the builders of new subdivisions.

Bill 23 is an appalling abuse of power. CAM urges everyone in Muskoka to raise our collective voice in opposition. What you can do:

Climate Action Muskoka is an inclusive, non-partisan Muskoka-based group formed in 2019 whose mission is to collaborate with individuals, businesses, groups and all levels of government to mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis. Find us at www.climateactionmuskoka.org, on Facebook and Instagram @climateactionmuskoka.

May 26 – Elizabeth May will be in Bracebridge Friday

Len Ring
Elizabeth May will be in Bracebrige

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Muskoka – Climate Action Muskoka (CAM) is thrilled to announce that long-time climate activist and Green Party MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands, Elizabeth May, and Parry Sound-Muskoka Green candidate Matt Richter will participate in our weekly #FridaysForFuture climate strike this Friday, May 27, 11:30 to 12:30 at Memorial Park in Bracebridge.    

“CAM’s mandate is to drive climate action in Muskoka,” said Tamsen Tillson, a founding member of CAM. “We are thrilled to have Elizabeth walk with us, as she has long been a strong voice for urgent climate action. We hope her presence will help promote the climate message in Muskoka and Ontario.” 

“We invited all of the candidates to join us, and are very pleased to see Matt come out as well,” she added. “There’s sure to be some lively conversation. We hope their presence attracts some new climate strikers. Come join us!”   

CAM invites anyone who wants to talk climate to come down this Friday to walk and talk with MP Elizabeth May.  

Climate Action Muskoka is an inclusive, non-partisan group working to address the climate crisis in Muskoka. CAM has been holding #FridaysforFuture climate strikes since September 2019. This week the group celebrates 140 weeks of consecutive climate strikes (including in-person, digital and pop-up strikes during lockdown). Currently CAM holds climate strikes every Friday in Bracebridge and Huntsville.  

Climate Action Muskoka among 150+ group coalition launching Ontario Climate Emergency Campaign

Len Ring
Climate Emergency Campaign

A coalition of more than 150 groups from across Ontario — including Climate Action Muskoka — have launched the ‘Ontario Climate Emergency Campaign,’ and is calling on candidates in the upcoming provincial election to treat climate change as an emergency. 

Read article from Global News | Group sign-on

Climate Emergency Campaign

CAM Partners with Retired Teachers of Ontario to Deliver Climate Curriculum to Muskoka Students

CAM
Climate Curriculum in Muskoka Schools

TLDSB Superintendent of Education Jay MacJanet receives a delivery of bookmarks and curriculum. Left to right: Tamsen Tillson, Sue McKenzie, Len Ring, Jay MacJanet, Janet Libke, Linda Mathers and Joanne Garvey.

You have no doubt heard of Climate Action Muskoka’s Community Carbon Challenge, an initiative to highlight and promote everyday actions that we can all take to reduce our carbon footprint to achieve a 50% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030.
This week, in partnership with the Retired Teachers of Ontario RTOERO, District 46 Muskoka, Community Carbon Challenge-inspired curriculum along with CCC bookmarks are being delivered to all Muskoka students in grades 4-6 in the Trillium Lakelands District School Board, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, and every private school.

A downloadable PDF of this curriculum is free to access

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> HERE<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 

Know a teacher who might be interested? Please share!  

Bookmarks-QRCodeCurriculum

“We hope that students will take the ideas home and encourage their families to take up the Challenge to reduce their GHG emissions”, says CAM member, Len Ring.  

A study of youth around the globe, released in Britain last September prior to the global COP26 Climate Summit, reveals that young people are feeling helplessness and despair about the climate crisis. It identified the source of their anxiety as adults not taking the actions required to protect their future. Source.

The bookmark project in Muskoka provides the opportunity to enhance family discussions that focus on solutions, starting with individual actions.  

Have you signed up yet to take the Community Carbon Challenge? Learn more and get started today!

March 25 — Special Fridays For Future Global Strike #PeopleNotProfit

CAM
People not profit

Mark your calendars for next Friday, March 25. We hope you’ll join us for a special #FridaysForFuture #People Not Profit Global Climate Strike, Friday March 25. 

Bracebridge
11:30 – 12:30 | Memorial Park

Huntsville
11:30 – 12:30 | across the bridge from Main Street, between the bridge and Pizza Nova (This is a new location, so please confirm with your team leader.)

Environment Haliburton! 
Noon to 1:00pm | Meet In front of the locomotive at the end of Head Lake, Haliburton Village

Climate Action Parry Sound
11:30 – 12:30 | Meet at Mary and James Street intersection 

We stand as one body and we stand as one voice. Now, more than ever, it is important to unite our activist voices worldwide. #PeopleNotProfit

Learn more about the strike and its organizers, check out the world map of strike locations and access digital assets HERE. 

March 2, 2022 — The High Price of Bad Energy Choices

CAM

This month, in a collaborative event with Seniors for Climate Action Now! and Climate Action Muskoka, EH! will host Jack Gibbons from The Ontario Clean Air Alliance. 

The high price of bad energy choices

Under the Ford government plans, gas plants will be used to replace aging nuclear reactors and meet new demands for electricity from electric vehicles and home heating. But this will result in soaring greenhouse gas emissions at a time when we should be doing everything we can to combat climate change. Gibbons will lay out an alternative plan for getting Ontario to a zero-carbon electricity grid by 2030.

recording available here

Getting Ontario to a Zero-Carbon Electricity Grid by 2030

Ontario Clean Air Alliance – January 2022 – report

Ontario historic emissions

According to Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), the greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution from Ontario’s gas-fired power plants will increase by 375% by 2030 and by more than 600% by 2040 as the province uses fossil gas to replace aging nuclear reactors and to meet growing demand for electricity driven by population growth and the increased electrification of homes, buildings and transportation systems. If this occurs, Ontario will lose almost half (48%) of the pollution reduction benefits that it achieved by phasing-out its dirty coal plants.

READ THE Report

Climate Action Muskoka, COP26 Climate Strike, G8 flag park in Huntsville.

CAM
While they talk, our world burns. Climate Action Muskoka, COP26 Climate Strike, Saturday November 6, at the G8 flag park in Huntsville.

COP26 Climate Strike, Saturday November 6, at the G8 flag park in Huntsville. Click the arrow to play the Slide show!
More pictures on Facebook:  Climate Action Muskoka 
and Instagram @climateactionmuskoka

COP 26 and Net Zero’s Dangerous Distractions 

CAM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Climate Action Muskoka (CAM) is co-sponsoring a vital and timely pre-COP26 (Conference of the Parties) webinar with Environment Haliburton!(EH!) and Seniors for Climate Action Now! (SCAN!) titled COP 26 and Net Zero’s Dangerous Distractions this Thursday, October 28 at 7:30pm ET. All are welcome to attend.


Marc Lee, prominent senior economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), will discuss what the concept of “Net Zero” is and why it is a dangerous mitigation plan to address the climate crisis. The SCAN! Education Committee will explain why the success of COP26 is critical for the future. 

Lee joined the CCPA in 1998 and is one of Canada’s leading progressive commentators on economic and social policy issues. He led the CCPA’s Climate Justice Project (CJP) which published a wide range of research on fair and effective approaches to climate action through integrating principles of social justice.

The CCPA is an independent, non-partisan research institute concerned with issues of social, economic and environmental justice. Founded in 1980, it is one of Canada’s leading progressive voices in public policy debates. 

The CCPA produces the research and analysis necessary for policymakers, activists, and everyday Canadians to make informed decisions and press for social change.

Register for the webinar here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvcuGuqD4vHtHpYkfOh0WNXUD3hmEejUIH?fbclid=IwAR0gELUJPxXDU7deMV4we7F6QdmL0hzAkx_27PdLDkXBmqxLlurCVAPSX5Y  

or on the EH! website: https://www.environmenthaliburton.org/

Kudos to Huntsville Town Council for Passing a Climate Emergency Resolution

CAM
Huntsville passes Climate Emeregency Resolution

Huntsville becomes the third Muskoka municipality to declare a strong Climate Emergency resolution, joining the Township of Georgian Bay and the Town of Gravenhurst. The resolution which was passed was rewritten by the Muskoka CAOs from the original CAM resolution. It includes the language and the strong targets in the original resolution. However, the community engagement component was missing but was added back in with an amendment by Mayor Terziano. This will ensure that Huntsville voices and Huntsville-specific actions are included in the Community Action Plan to be developed.

Read more: Town of Huntsville declares a climate emergency, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050 From Huntsville Doppler.