Tag: Climate action

Climate sanity

“An impassioned generational perspective on how to stay sane amid climate disruption.”

Climate and environment-related fears and anxieties are on the rise everywhere. As with any type of stress, eco-anxiety can lead to lead to burnout, avoidance, or a disturbance of daily functioning. 
 
In Generation Dread, Britt Wray seamlessly merges scientific knowledge with emotional insight to show how these intense feelings are a healthy response to the troubled state of the world. 

BOOK LAUNCH — Generation Dread:
Finding Purpose in an age of Climate Crisis

Now available in bookstores, audiobook and e-book… GoodWork.ca/BrittWray

On CBC Radio & Podcast — Thursday May 26

Britt Wray on Generation Dread — On CBC Ideas, Thursday, May 26, 2022
In a world of climate crisis and inaction, the kids are not alright. Neither are many adults, including those considering parenthood. Science writer and scholar Britt Wray was one of the latter when she made a 2018 IDEAS documentary on the topic. Now she is a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University, specializing in the mental health impacts of the ecological crisis. Her new book details her work and conversations, and synthesizes her insights. It shares productive ways to cope, think, and act while facing an anxious ecological present and uncertain future. At an event recorded at the Toronto Reference Library, Britt Wray talks to Nahlah Ayed about Generation Dread: Finding Purpose in an Age of Climate Crisis. — CBC Ideas | Schedule (May) | Radio Schedule | Podcast 

“The antidote to anxiety is action”

Canada Is [Still] On Fire — Mass Organizing Call

Climate scientists just declared a code red. But our politicians aren’t acting like it’s an emergency. Time to ramp up the pressure. 

Join us on Tuesday, August 17 at 3pm PT / 4pm MT / 5pm CT / 6pm ET / 7pm AT / 7:30pm NDT to learn about our bold, unapologetic plans to demand real action on the climate emergency.

Sign up – https://act.350.org/signup/still-on-fire

Extreme heat early this summer has sparked one of the worst wildfire seasons on record. We’ve seen smoke cover cities, flooding, droughts and just heard from the IPCC that this is a “code red” moment when it comes to tackling the climate emergency. And, this is all happening with the specter of an election on the horizon. That’s why we’ve got a plan to bring climate action to the forefront of the Canadian political landscape but we can’t do it without you.

Spread the word – twitter | facebook

Work for Climate Action – Jobs, Internships, Volunteer, Action: GoodWork.ca/Climate

A home without a furnace?

Talk about climate action!
“the house you can heat with a hair dryer”

“Passive houses” are popping up in Ottawa — proof of a concept that’s taking off worldwide. They are beautiful, comfortable homes. They also happen to use a tiny fraction the energy of conventional homes. They’re affordable — but ready to weather energy hikes and climate change alike.

So why aren’t more people building them? “Home buyers buy the finishings, not the home”, say the builders. In other words, the typical buyer is more likely to be sold on granite countertops, than on a properly built home. When it comes to new homes, we’re colour blind. We continue to build cold little boxes that are becoming nothing less than death traps, in the face of a changing world.

Choosing a passive house:

  • is much more comfortable than other homes
  • is comfortable and resilient in all weather — from deep freezes to heat waves
  • saves money year after year
  • saves energy, year after year
  • reduces ghg emissions
  • is slightly more expensive to build, but pays for itself in energy savings

In many parts of the world, building codes already stipulate that only passive houses can be built.

Will we continue to be distracted by shiny countertops, locking us into a cold, unsustainable future? Or will we wake up and get up with the times?

Passive houses in and near Ottawa:

Resources:

Passive House Canada — national non-profit organization advancing a green building standard in Canada/ “Our mission is to make the International Passive House standard of building performance understood, achievable, and adopted by government, industry, professionals, and homeowners across Canada through education, advocacy, events, and building projects.” passivehousecanada.com

“Comfort is key in a passive house — Passive homes are the height of energy efficiency, but getting average owners to buy in to the extra cost remains a tough sell.” (Ottawa Citizen)

Canadian Green Building Council (many shades of green including Passive House cagbc.org

Green Building and Environmental Jobs

Let’s Talk Green Economy

We all know that taking action on climate is necessary, but how can concerns about the environment fit into the logic of small and medium businesses here in Ottawa?

That’s what our free workshop series Let’s Talk Green Economy sets out to explain: green can work for your business. Let us show you how.

Find answers to questions like:  What is the Green Economy? How do I Save Energy? Can my Business be Green?  Can Green Grow My Market? Does my Impact Matter?

Let’s Talk Green Economy Workshops will be offered across Ottawa from January to March 2020. Free for Ottawa Businesses! Delivered in-person and online, at your business or at a public space. You choose what works best for you and your staff.

Contact us today to book a workshop at your place of business or to find out about upcoming public workshops.

https://www.envirocentre.ca/de-mystifying-the-green-economy-one-workshop-at-a-time/

Workshops included in the series

10 Steps to a Low Carbon Workplace

An interactive workshop that will provide you with practical tips on reducing your environmental impact in the workplace. Learn how to assess your current greenhouse gas impact and simple ways to reduce it. Register today!

Make Green Work for Your Business

The business landscape is changing, and getting ahead of those changes gives your workplace a competitive advantage! Get past the jargon, and discover how to make “green” work for your business. No matter what sector, services or products you’re providing, you can take action to reduce your footprint now. Register today!

Building Retrofits for SMEs: Where to Start (part 1)

An interactive workshop for Business Owners on energy savings in renovation and the meaning of Net Zero labelling. Register today!

Building Retrofits for SMEs: From Plan to Project (part 2)

An interactive workshop for Business Owners on how to add energy savings to your renovation plans and even reach Net Zero. Register today!

Workshops for Builders & Contractors

Retrofitting to Net Zero: Knowing the Landscape (part 1)

A workshop for Builders, Renovators and Contractors interested in learning about Net Zero Housing. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of what Net Zero means, what its benefits and costs are, and what Net Zero looks like in Ottawa today.  Register today!

Retrofitting to Net Zero: Getting it Right (part 2)

A workshop for Builders, Renovators and Contractors that will take a deeper dive into the building science behind Net Zero. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of the available training opportunities, green building certifications, and how to move from plan to action. Register today!

Run, hide, pretend it’s not happening?

Think about it.

If I walk down the street naked, harming nobody, I’ll be arrested.

But if I drive a belching muscle car down the same street, or idle it for hours, I’ll be fine.

Nudity is a crime — but escalating the Climate Crisis and endangering millions of lives, is still  considered a normal, acceptable thing to do.

Air travel causing climate change

At this moment, a friend is flying to BC — where Climate Fires of historic proportions have created so much smoke it’s dangerous to exercise. She’s going hiking.

Not to judge, but spot the irony here? Flying is the single worst thing you can do, to inflate the fires and drive us towards climate disaster.

Are we totally out of touch with reality?

In the age of climate breakdown, we still feel it’s “okay” to fly, to drive for fun, to use as much energy as you like.

It’s “okay”, it’s “normal”, “everybody else does it”.

We’re facing fires, floods, drought, famine — yet we’re more concerned with vacations, shiny cars, home renos. We save for retirement, while at the same time destroying our chances of having anything left to retire to.

While we dilly-dally, the planet burns. We edge dangerously closer to a runaway climate scenario / tipping point — mass famine, even the end of civilization.

Photo of car with road kill

Are our lives, our morals dangerously out of date?

Should recreational, gratuitous use of fossil fuels be shameful, the new nudity?

Or, impose enormous carbon taxes to fund climate action, mitigation?

When will we take our feet off the gas?

What do you think? How does this make you feel?

(a) Not my fault / not my problem
(b) It’s overblown / “climate is always changing”
(c) We’re screwed, nothing you can do about it
(d) China’s fault / the US / rich people / anybody other than me
(e) I’m going to DO something, as long as I am able

 

Waking up to Climate Crisis, Climate Action

It’s finally happening, the world is waking up to the climate crisis. Oil companies are in court for lying, the truth is coming out about climate breakdown, and millions are standing up for truth and action. All this is thanks to you — everyday people who care about our future — and are doing everything we can. It is only with our eyes wide open, that we have the opportunity to rebuild our world.

tell-the-truth-2In the news:

markus-spiske-tyfI3RGqL7Y-unsplashWhat you can do:

  • Support groups and organizations working for climate action: Climate Action Network Canada | GoodWork. Join two or three that seem most important to you. Without you and me, they are nothing — our participation is crucial.
  • Live as sustainably as you can. Reduce your consumption, fly less or not at all, switch to renewables. It might sound difficult, but it will lead to a happier, healthier life. Top Ten Things You Can Do About Climate Change
  • Participate in nonviolent Climate Strikes. Strikes continue every Friday in thousands of locations worldwide. The next Global Strike is planned for Friday November 29. Join a strike or start your own: Fridaysforfuture.ca | FridaysforFuture.org | GoodWork.ca/Strike

Do meaningful work:

Because, without a stable climate and a healthy ecosystem, there is no economy, no future.

Environmental News

Global Climate Strike – Fri Sep 27 – Ottawa & Worldwide

On March 15th, more than 150,000 students were officially on strike across Québec, and young people across Canada marched in the streets, demanding action today to ensure we have future generations.

Young people have been going on strike every Friday the several months, young people have been waging creative protest to push politicians to take bold action and tackle the climate crisis head on.

On September 27, the planet is on strike. Not just students, but also workers, citizens. Because the climate crisis spares nobody, we must all be mobilized. Let’s make this date a historic moment. The one of true change.

Because it is high time we take matters into our own hands.

Join us at the Global Climate Strike to demand accountability and action regarding the climate crisis!

Let us know you’re coming! RSVP now at this link:  https://www.ecologyottawa.org/ottawa_climate_strike

We need organizers! Will you step up to invite your friends to join you on the big day? Contact Clara to see how you can help out.

CONTACT: Clara Cuny · clara.cuny@ecologyottawa.ca · 613-860-5353

For more information about the march, please see the event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2358161320964436/

We will be meeting at Confederation Park at 11:30am.

Hope to see you there!

WHEN: September 27, 2019 at 11:30am – 2pm
WHERE: Confederation Park (Laurier Ave. and Elgin St.)

Strikes across Canada, worldwide, organizations & resources: https://GoodWork.ca/strike

Ottawa Energy Summit 2019

Time to roll up our sleeves and create some strategies to help Ottawa meet its climate targets!

Be a part of the funding strategy and strategic partnership forming process as we solidify the community led plan to help reduce emissions from buildings by 80% by 2050! This work will culminate in a variety of funding proposals to federal, provincial and municipal programs all aligned to the same vision – a Vibrant Ottawa Built Together! We need you as leaders of building and renovation companies, non-profits, progressive financiers, Invest Ottawa, The City of Ottawa planning and finance, to join us in this great work for the future!

Ottawa Energy Summit 2019We want to lower GHG emissions and kickstart the Green Retrofit Economy in Ottawa!

When: June 5th – 9:00-4:00
Where: Jean Pigot Place, Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave

Register: https://ecologyottawa.ca/2019/05/27/strategy-summit-ottawa-energy-collective-impact/

Green buildnig jobs: https://GoodWork.ca/GreenBuilding

School Strike for Climate Action: May 3

School Strikes for Climate
Friday May 3, across Canada

OTTAWA:

More locations: Fridaysforfuture.ca | Fridaysforfuture.org

#FridaysForFuture | #ClimateStrike

“Adults are jeopardizing our future. You say you love your children above all else, and yet you are stealing their future in front of their very eyes. Something big needs to happen. People need to realize our political leaders have failed us. And we need to take action into our own hands.” — Greta Thunberg

“Our house is on fire. I am here to say, our house is on fire. I want you to act as you would in a crisis. I want you to act as if our house is on fire. Because it is.” — Greta Thunberg

“What’s the point of going to school if I won’t have a future?” – Sophia

Greta Thunberg — Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

GoodWork.ca/Fridays (resources, volunteering, organizations, more)