| CLIMATEFAST NEWSLETTER - AUGUST 2021 |
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The ClimateFast newsletter shares information about the Climate Crisis that may interest our readers, and does not necessarily reflect the views of ClimateFast members. |
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We Made History!! Toronto City Council Endorses Call for Fossil Fuel Treaty |
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On July 15th Toronto City Council voted in an overwhelming majority to pass the motion made by Councillor Jack Layton to endorse the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. Climatefast, Mobilize TO and Fridays for Future Toronto led the Toronto campaign, with hundreds of individuals and organizations writing to the City Council to urge them to support the treaty. We give a big thank you to Councillors Mike Layton and Shelley Carroll for moving and seconding the motion, and to all of you who supported the campaign. You made it happen!
Read our media release and check out our FFNPT blog.
Thanks to everyone who wrote letters to the editor and to Kim Perrotta of CHASE (Canadian Health Association for Sustainability and Environment) for her Op Ed published in the Hill Times.
To encourage groups in other cities to bring the campaign to their municipal council we offer some tips for how to build a campaign, based on the steps we took in Toronto. We would like to keep in touch with others who are working on a campaign. If you have any ideas about where the treaty could go next, please email: [email protected]. |
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Federal election call expected soon
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If you would like to volunteer with other climate activists to put the climate crisis on the agenda during this election you can join our election mobilizing team. Email [email protected] for details. Next meeting Thursday Aug 5 at 7 pm. |
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Last Minute Opportunity! Net Zero Survey deadline is Aug 4
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Fill out the TransformTO Net Zero Survey! Visit TransformTO.ca to learn about the net zero actions under consideration, and provide your input by completing an online survey, hosting a community discussion and/or contributing to an online idea-sharing board. Input from residents will help inform the City’s TransformTO Net Zero strategy, which will be presented to Council later this year.
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Monday, August 9, 2021 (online), 7:00 - 8:30 EDT
REGISTER HERE
Food systems have a huge impact on climate and climate has a huge influence on food. Research has shown that the global food system produces almost a quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. This is the third of three programs on food and farming through a climate lens. Speakers include: Sally Miller, Fair Finance Fund Sunday Harrison, Green Thumbs Growing Kids Michelle Delaney, Thorncliffe Park Urban Farm Lily Phan, National Farmers Union (farmer) Josephine Grey, EcoJust Food Network and OASIS
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Do you want to talk about talking about the climate! Come join us for the next KTCC support meeting on Sunday, August 22nd at 3pm. RSVP to [email protected] and we'll send you the zoom link.
On the agenda:
- time for sharing about ongoing efforts
- time to ask for support and discuss ideas
- a few tips for holding conversations just about anywhere!
For more information about the KTCC concept, see https://climateconversations.ca/ and check out the facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/climatefast.ca. Hope to see you on the 22nd! |
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ClimateFast Book Club Meeting August 23rd, 6:30 - 8:30 pm EDT (online)
REGISTER HERE
Trying to keep up with climate literature but feel like it is getting away from you? Join us for our second ClimateFast Book Club meeting! Climate fast volunteers will be reading and then hosting a moderated public discussion of The New Climate War: The Fight to Take Back Our Planet, by Michael E Mann, followed by an open discussion with the audience. Whether you have read it or not, all are welcome! |
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Scarborough residents want protected bike lanes |
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Cycle Toronto launched aseries of campaigns advocating for protected bike lanes for everyone in thecity – a major part of this campaign is to Connect Scarborough with a networkof connected protected bikeways. We need to bring the people and organizations together to make safe cycling inScarborough a reality. Sign the petition |
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Ban the sale of ivory in Canada |
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Ivory-Free Canada Coalition has put forth a petition and letter template on Change.org to ban the sale of elephant ivory in Canada. On July 23rd the federal government launched a public consulation to hear feedback on proposed measures to restrict or end elephant ivory trade. |
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Stop construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline |
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As of July 15, 2021 97 per cent of the detailed route of the TMX has been approved, but construction of the project can only proceed when applicable conditions have been met. Two corporate-indigenous partnerships have submitted proposals to purchase the TMX, but several First Nations remain deeply opposed to it due to environmental risks. This new TMX petition calls upon the House of Commons to immediately stop the construction of the TMX pipeline and instead invest in a made-in-Canada Green New Deal. The petition was opened on July 7, 2021 and will close on November 4, 2021. |
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Stop financing oil expansion in Amazon |
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Protect BC’s old growth forests |
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Stand.com is hosting a petition to save BC’s old growth forests, which is one of the most effective things we can do to mitigate the impacts of climate change. The B.C. government committed during the last election to implement the recommendations of the old growth review panel but they still haven't followed through. Watch the video |
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New science tells us why fire is a growing threat Fires are becoming more frequent and research tells us that residents have far less time to escape. There are hidden dangers of fire. CBC’s The Nature of Things’ produced a compelling documentary that travels from Alberta to Australia to follow researchers and firefighters as they head straight Into the Fire. |
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A “renovation wave” to decarbonize Canada's buildings could not only make homes more livable, but inject $48 billion into the Canadian economy over the next 20 years. That’s according to "Canada's Renovation Wave: A plan for jobs and climate", a new report by the Pembina Institute, a non-profit clean energy think tank. Their study found that upgrades could create 200,000 jobs while making a sufficient dent in carbon emissions.
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Greenpeace warns that we are living in a golden age of greenwash! Greenwashing is a PR tactic that's used to make a company or product appear environmentally friendly without meaningfully reducing its environmental impact. |
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Article: ‘The climate crisis is forcing us to change our cities for the better’. From Sweden to Sierra Leone, cities are turning the climate crisis into an opportunity for happier, healthier living, reports Martin Wright in Positive News. |
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Regime of Obstruction (William K. Carroll (ed), Athabasca University Press, 2021) aims to make visible the complex connections between corporate power and the extraction and use of carbon energy. It presents research findings from the Corporate Mapping Project that trace the power and influence of the fossil fuel industry through economics, politics, media, and higher education. |
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Cities are key to a net-zero emissions future where affordable and sustainable energy is accessible to all. Cities today account for 70% of global CO2 emissions and 75% of global energy use. This report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) illustrates, through more than 100 examples and case studies, the wide range of opportunities, challenges and policy solutions that can help city-level governments capture the significant value of efficient and smart digital energy systems. |
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Over the last six months, Canada's National Observer has been looking into what's working and what's failing in cities across Canada as they rise to the challenge of tackling climate change. In a 13-part series they will take you across the country, province by province, for a look at how cities are meeting the climate emergency with sustainable solutions. |
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Recording of 90-minute panel discussion on the Rise and Dangers of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors in Canada, held June 28, 2021. Watch the full webinar or shorter clips: |
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Emily Atkins writes ‘Heated,' a newsletter that focuses on the climate emergency. In the July 12th issue she writes, "If you have ever thought of becoming more involved in the fight for climate justice, it’s time to stop thinking, and start doing." It’s a great article to share with friends and family. The comments section also contains many resources.
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Podcasts: Drilled describes itself as a "true-crime podcast about climate change", covering topics like the corporate-funded creation and spread of climate denial, the history of fossil fuel propaganda, the fossil fuel industry's efforts to use the COVID-19 pandemic to push though its agenda, the natural gas industry and the battle between Indigenous groups in the Ecuadorian Amazon and Chevron. Amy Westervelt hosts Drilled and is also part of the duo, alongside Mary Annaïse Heglar, that hosts Hot Take, a podcast that focuses on the climate justice movement. |
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ClimateFast participants are volunteers; your donation will be used for expenses such as mailings, flyers, room rental and transportation. Your support is very much appreciated!
If you would like to donate by cheque, make it payable to: ClimateFast and mail c/o Lyn Adamson Friends House 60 Lowther Ave. Toronto, Ontario, M6E 2Y4
Website: www.climatefast.ca
Contact Us: Email us directly at [email protected] or through the contact form at www.climatefast.ca/contact.
Telephone: (416) 731-6605 |
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