Ontario’s electricity is about to become a lot dirtier – what can we do to stop it?
We don’t have much time left to reduce our emissions and halt the climate crisis. Thankfully, Ontario’s power sector has had a head start. In 2019, 92% of the electricity that came out of our province’s sockets came from zero-carbon sources.
However, emissions from electricity have since been creeping up and are now threatening to grow dramatically if the Ford government pushes through its plans. (Photo by Siarhei Kuchuk from pexels.com)
Read moreWhy Toronto Council should endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, and 4 simple actions you can take to make it happen
Lytton, B.C.
Our hearts go out to the residents of Lytton, B.C. Record temperatures, wildfires, a town destroyed and residents devastated. This is the climate crisis in real time.
We can begin our help here.
Photo by Dave Hoefler on Unsplash
Climate’s Role
It is evident the change in our climate played a role in the heat-related deaths and wildfires in B.C. These northern areas were hotter than the Middle East. Scientists fear this indicates a new dimension of the global crisis.
Johan Rockström of the The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research stated the recent extreme weather anomalies were not represented in global computer models that are used to project how the world might change with more emissions. The fear is that weather systems might be more frequently blocked as a result of human emissions. “It is a risk – of a serious regional weather impact triggered by global warming – that we have underestimated so far”, he said.
It is clear that the Climate Emergency created this crisis and it is time to act. In Canada the fossil fuel industry is the biggest source of impact on the climate. As residents of Toronto, we need our electricity production and home heating to be free of fossil fuels. Now is the time to commit to doing this.
What needs to be done
There is a global movement calling for national governments to negotiate and ratify a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to stop the further expansion of fossil fuel production, phase out fossil fuels, and ensure a global just transition for all.
Toronto350 has endorsed this treaty along with hundreds of other organizations including the Cities of Vancouver, Los Angeles, Barcelona, as well as seven other cities and sub-national governments. As Canada’s most populous city, it is time for Toronto to add our name and endorse this treaty. By endorsing it, Toronto is committing to a fossil free future, and sending a message to our provincial and federal governments to stop investing in oil and gas, and use funds to transition away from them.
What can you do?
Consider any or all of the following actions:
- Add your name to the petition for Toronto Council to endorse the FFNP Treaty.
- Send a letter to Mayor Tory and all city councillors asking that they endorse the treaty. Use this tool to make it easy!
- Phone your councillor and leave a message asking them to endorse the treaty. You can find your councillor’s contact information here.
- Personally endorse the treaty at https://fossilfueltreaty.org/#endorse
Join the over 12,000 individuals including over 1300 scientists, academics, and researchers, and over 480 world wide organizations who are working to make this treaty a reality!
Choosing a Climate-Friendly Credit Union (in Toronto)
You’ve read about how Canada’s major banks use your savings to finance fossil fuels.
You’ve joined the BankSwitch campaign and told your bank that you will be closing your accounts unless they clean up their act.
And now, since your bank hasn’t made a lot of changes, you’re wondering where you should take your business instead.
We think local credit unions are a great option.
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Fossil Banks No Thanks: A Day of Action
On January 29th, Climate Pledge Collective is running an event called Fossil Banks No Thanks along with For Our Kids to bring their demands to as many branches as possible.
TO350 encourages everyone to participate! We are planning to join in on January 29th with some of our own socially distanced actions. Stay tuned for more details, signs & shareables.
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Why BankSwitch? Why Now?
Toronto350 supports the BankSwitch initiative that is ongoing now! Read on to see how it works and how to sign up.
Read moreNovember 29th Climate Strike and Fossil Banks No Thanks RBC Action
For the Global Climate Strike on November 29 (11:30 at Queen's Park), Toronto350 joins Fridays For Future Toronto/GTA to demand climate justice. As a key part of the rally and march, we will confront RBC, Canada's largest financer of the fossil fuel industry. The action is part of an international campaign, Fossil Banks No Thanks, targeting global banks as major drivers of the climate crisis. The following is a statement from Fossil Banks No Thanks.
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Low Carbon Luxury Part 1
This is the first part in a series of posts on “Low-Carbon Luxury” by Matt Lie-Paehlke, Climate Pledge Collective Co-Founder and Member of Toronto350.
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