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Hello Green Neighbours! 


I hope you all enjoyed time with friends and family over the long weekend and were able to take in the sunshine. 

In this edition of the newsletter find a reminder for the Green 11 event, Let's Reduce Waste in University-Rosedale! Bring Your Own Container Information Event coming up this Thursday, Feb. 20th at 7pm. Also find information and resources about the city budget process. If you have a few minutes before tomorrow, contact John Tory to let him know that the city needs more funding, and more ambitious actions, to reduce our carbon emissions and transition to a net zero carbon city. 

If you have green news and events you would like us to include in the newsletter please contact us at: greenward11@gmail.com.   


Warm Wishes,

Ann Russell
Chair, Green 11




Calls to Action
 

City Council Will Vote on 2020 Budget on February 19th

This is the city’s first budget since declaring a climate emergency in October. The budget does include more staffing for TransformTO, the city’s climate action plan but it does not include new revenue measures that would help bring in funding that is needed for things like the transit system. The budget also lacks an ambitious retrofit program for buildings, which are the source of 52% of the city’s emissions. Toronto Environmental Alliance, offers a comprehensive analysis of the budget HERE.
Some examples of revenue sources and measures that could be included in the city budget are:      
  • A Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT)
  • A commercial parking levy
  • Increased funding for transit
  • Increased funding for retrofits.
If you would like to let Mayor Tory and city Councillors know what you think should be included in the budget, take a few minutes to call before the vote tomorrow at: 416-397-2489 or by email mayor_tory@toronto.ca. You can copy Councillor Mike Layton, here: councillor_layton@toronto.ca
 
For a sample letter about the city budget, see this link on the Climatefast website.
 
You are invited to join Climatefast and Fridays for Future at City Hall to join them on Wednesday Feb 19th, 9:30 am for the budget vote to show concern for climate issues in the budget. Click here to sign up on the Eventbrite page.  




 
Wet'suwet'en Fight Against Pipeline Goes Coast to Coast
 
Climate activists and Wet'suwet'en protestors have rallied together to oppose the Coastal GasLink pipeline by using blockades and occupations. The 670-kilometre pipeline would run through Wet'suwet'en territory in B.C.

Learn more about this critical issue, and the latest news:

"Inside a protest movement: How climate activists are taking Wet’suwet’en fight from B.C. to Yonge Street" - Feb. 11

"Wet'suwet'en: Nationwide rallies erupt through holiday weekend" - Feb. 17
 
Here is a video the Unist'ot'en Camp posted of the RCMP arresting Wet'suwet'en matriarchs.

Read about the situation and responses by fossil fuel industry and the government here.

Solidarity Actions continue to be organized in Toronto:


Wet’suwet’en Strong: In Defence of Land Defenders

Thursday, February 20, 6 – 8 pm
Christian Resource Center, 40 Oak Street

The people of the Wet’suwet’en nation in northern British Columbia are courageously defying a BC Supreme Court injunction by blocking Coastal Gaslink (CGL) from building a pipeline through their territories. The company is attempting to build a 670km fracked gas pipeline from Dawson Creek to Kitimat, but has not secured the free, prior and informed consent of the Wet’suwet’en who remain opposed to its construction. The hereditary chiefs of the nation evicted CGL workers from their territories in early January and called for the construction to cease. The company however has indicated it would not comply, raising the threat of a militarized police invasion similar to the one last year that made headlines around the country. Join us to understand why the land defenders are risking their lives to oppose this and other pipelines, how this struggle is linked to those of Indigenous people here, and how we can support. Speakers: Vanessa Gray and Niloofar Golkar.

Hosted by OCAP.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2543433562648349/
https://ocap.ca/speakers-series-feb-2020/  
 


Support for Wet’suwet’en

Sat. Feb. 22, 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Queen’s Park

Speakers, Rally and Round Dance. Bring your drums, and your voice, and most of all yourself.
https://www.facebook.com/events/s/support-for-wetsuweten/656788928409775/

 


You can also support #WetsuwetenStrong by:

1. Calling Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland's office with the demand that RCMP stand down immediately  Ottawa (613)-992-5234 / Toronto (416) 928-1451

2. Calling Minister of Crown-Indigenous Affairs, Carolyn Bennett -- (416) 952-3990

3. Using Leadnow’s easy online dialing tool to call BC Ministers https://act.leadnow.ca/call-BC-support-wetsuweten/ (the dialler lets you call one Minister, make a note about the call, and then refresh the page to call another Minister)

4. Donating to the Unist'ot'en Legal fund  

5. Donating to the  Gidimt'en camp  

6. Following Unist'ot'en and Gidimt'en on social media, and share their posts to help spread the news from the ground. 


 
 

Behind the headlines: 6 need-to-know facts about the Teck Frontier mine

Read about the potential impacts of the Teck Frontier mine mega-project on Greenpeace Canada’s website. The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change will be deciding soon about whether to approve the project. If you would like to send a message to Minister Wilkinson expressing concerns about Teck Frontier.  You can use the template letter Greenpeace Canada has written or you can sign the petition by Leadnow.




 
Encourage Chrystia Freeland to Attend Guy Dauncey Presentation in Ottawa:
 
Guy Dauncey, author of Journey to the Future, will be presenting his paper, Climate Emergency: A 26-Week Transition for Canada to the Climate Caucus of MPs and Senators in Ottawa, Room 268, Valour Building, 151 Sparks Street, on Tuesday, February 25th. Doors will open at 6:30 pm, and the presentation will begin at 7 pm. This event is not open to the public, but Parliamentarians are welcome.
 

Climate Emergency: A 26-Week Transition Program for Canada
by Guy Dauncey FRSA, PIBC (Hon)
 
This paper shows how Canada could target a 65% reduction in emissions by 2030 and 100% by 2040. It proposes 164 new policies and programs, financed by $63 billion a year in new investments, without raising taxes or increasing public sector borrowing. 
 
In this imagined world, the new programs and policies are announced every Monday morning between January 6th and the end of June 2020. To learn what they are, visit:
 
https://thepracticalutopian.ca/2020/01/05/climate-emergency-a-26-week-transition-program-for-canada
 
To let Chrystia Freeland know about this presentation and encourage her to attend, contact her office at: Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca
 
 
Contact Guy Dauncey :
 
www.thepracticalutopian.ca
www.journeytothefuture.ca
Ladysmith, BC
250-924-1445
 
 


Help make Ontario’s waterways #LessSalty

Applying huge piles of salt to our public spaces is wasteful and unnecessary, harmful to the environment, and damaging to infrastructure. Studies show we can balance safety and the environment by being #Less Salty. It takes less than a cup of salt to melt ice on a metre of pavement. When it comes to road salt, less is more. Sign the petition and tell Ontario be #LessSalty


https://act.environmentaldefence.ca/page/54439/action/1
 


 
 Green 11 Event Reminder
 


 
Let's Reduce Waste in University-Rosedale!  
Bring-Your-Own-Container (BYOC) Information Night


 
Thursday, February 20th, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Trinity St. Paul's Centre (Chapel)
427 Bloor Street West (one block west of Spadina)
 
Are you interested in reducing waste in your neighbourhood? Join Green 11 to learn about waste reduction efforts in Toronto and how neighbourhood groups are working with local businesses to reduce waste. This event will be a great opportunity to learn the do’s and don’ts of setting up a BYOC program in your neighbourhood.
 
Guest Speakers: 
 
Emily Alfred, Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA)  - Emily Alfred is the Waste Campaigner at Toronto Environmental Alliance.
 
Laurna Germscheid – Team Leader of Green Wave West Reducing Waste Together Initiative
 
 
Participating Businesses in Green Wave West BYOC Program -

Liza Lukashevsky, co-owner Nuthouse

Bruno Pejlak, owner Strictly Bulk
 
For more information and to reserve your free tickets, visit: https://unirosbyoc.eventbrite.com

Doors will open at 6:40pm, so please arrive early to register and enjoy light refreshments. We encourage you to bring your own containers, mugs and cutlery. Also, we will be collecting containers for a food redistribution program called Food Rescue, operated by Second Harvest. If you have any empty containers suitable for leftovers that will not leak at home, we will welcome those donations. 




Join the Annex-Harbord Reduces Campaign

Annex-Harbord Reduces Planning Meeting 
 
Wednesday, February 26th, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
  Karma Food Co-op, 739 Palmerston Ave.

Hosted by Annex Reduces

 
The Annex-Harbord Reduces campaign team is looking for more volunteers. Annex-Harbord Reduces seeks to replicate the success of BYOC campaigns across the City that started with Roncy Reduces early last year.  Join Annex-Harbord Reduces at their next organizing meeting if you are interested in helping to reduce plastic and "take out" waste in the Annex and Harbord neighbourhoods. They will be planning how to roll out the Annex-Harbord Reduces initiative, aimed at helping businesses commit to allowing patrons to bring their own containers for purchases. For more information contact: annexreduces@gmail.com.

RSVP on the Facebook Event Page






Green Courses


Rooted and Rising Program

This is a radical education program to meet the climate urgency. Schools haven’t equipped us to cooperate or handle this emergency. This program is certified by York University but runs very differently than a typical classroom. It’s a response to the global youth call to take this crisis seriously. Rooted and Rising will empower young people to take control over their lives and our collective way of living. This is a healing space for radical disruption. 12 week program March – June. Free to youth. Apply by Feb. 28.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeWJ2YRB7lniEtWKJbedBvzEAQrHYv2-biLoHVhgUl3xIiqYQ/viewform





 Upcoming Toronto Green Events
 

Zero Waste Cafe

Tonight! Tues. Feb. 18, 6:30 pm

David Suzuki Foundation, 179 John Street (north of Queen)

Have you ever felt isolated speaking with friends about environmental concerns? Are you looking to make a difference but aren’t sure where to start? New to the topic? Few years into your zero-waste journey? Don’t have many friends/ family members who “get it”? Join us for a coffee & mindful climate conversation with our guest speaker Sophi from @yourecofriend! Sophi will be discussing eco-anxiety and sharing some tips to help overcome it. 

https://www.facebook.com/events/505408030069292/



 

Wasted! The Story of Food Waste, with panel

Tonight! Tues. Feb. 18, 6:30 – 8:45 p.m.

Hot Docs, 506 Bloor Street West

90% of food waste ends up in landfill, significantly contributing to global greenhouse gas emissions. Through the eyes of culinary superstars, learn how to make the most of every kind of food and transform your leftovers into incredible dishes to create a more sustainable food system. Wasted! shows us we can all have an impact through small—and delicious—changes. Learn how to reduce food waste with a post-screening panel

https://www.facebook.com/events/631581794282081/

https://boxoffice.hotdocs.ca/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=111847~fff311b7-cdad-4e14-9ae4-a9905e1b9cb0

 


 

Get The Jump On Spring & Seedy Saturday

February 22nd, 10 am-3 pm
Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence East


TBG’s annual Horticultural Open House with exhibits by horticultural societies, garden clubs and environmental organizations, talks, gently-used gardening book sale, a silent auction, gardening advice from Toronto Master Gardeners and more.

For more info visit: torontobotanicalgarden.ca/enjoy/special-events/jump-on-spring

 



 

Skating Party with Councillor Mike Layton

 
Feb 23, 2020 1:30 PM 
Ramsden Park 1020 Yonge St.
 
Family-friendly skating to music with skates available to borrow. 1:30 pm. Free. At the Outdoor rink in Ramsden Park.

mikelayton.to
 




Post Fossil Fuel Economics And The Indigenous Green New Deal

 
Feb 27, 2020 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM 
Bloor Street United Church 300 Bloor West 

Talk by American environmentalist, economist & author Winona LaDuke with with Michelle Daigle & Uahikea Maile.

Free | Accessible space | ASL interpretation. 

For info: uoft.essu@gmail.com; facebook.com/events/2714527401995698
 


 

Food Sovereignty, Climate Justice and Racial Justice: Making the Links

Tuesday, February 25, 2020 - 2:30pm to 4:30pm
York University, Founders College, Senior Common Room, FC Room 305, York University, 4700 Keele Street
 
Our industrial model of growing and consuming food is contributing to both climate change and social inequity. In this panel discussion, organizer, educator, and writer, Kali Akuno, will share his experiences organizing with Cooperation Jackson, an emerging network of worker cooperatives and supporting institutions based in Jackson, Mississippi. He will be joined by local voices, including Leticia Deawuo of Black Creek Community Farm and Adabu Brownhill Jefwa of the National Farmers Union. **Event is FREE and open to the public**
 
Please RSVP at kali-akuno-yorku-2020.eventbrite.com
 
 


 

Parkdale Seedy Saturday and Green Fair

 

February 29 @ 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Parkdale Public Library
1303 Queen St. West, west of Dufferin
 
Vendors – Seed Exchange – Gardening Demonstrations

Presented by Greenest City and Toronto Urban Growers

Find out more here: http://tcgn.ca/event/parkdale-seedy-saturday-2/
 


 
Repair Café Toronto
 
 
Is there a Repair Café coming up near you? Check the map for Repair Cafés taking place across Toronto.
 

Volunteer with Repair Café!
Repair Café Toronto is always looking for volunteer fixers to repair items or help others learn how to make the repairs. Learn more about how to get involved.

 



Toronto Public Library Events
 
 
Toronto Public Libraries host free environmental, community, maker, builder, and repair events. This includes fibre, needle and textile arts (like crocheting, knitting and mending), health and wellness, and much more. You can view the "What's On" print publication for January to March, or check out the full list of programs and classes HERE.
 
 
 
Zero Waste Events in Toronto
 
 
Visit Zero Waste Hub's page on Facebook for a list of zero waste events in Toronto. 
 

 
 
 
 

 Green News and Resources 



 
Launch of TD Park People Grants
Park People recently launched the third year of its TD Park People Grants program! The grants will provide $2000 to groups from the GTA and across Canada to build community and support environmental stewardship in parks or green spaces.
This is an opportunity to make green space in your community great by having events like park clean-ups, tree-planting and movie nights. If your group is interested, please visit the Park People website to get all of the details, helpful event ideas and application form for the TD Park People Grants program. Applications close on March 2nd.




 
Dropping speed limits in central Toronto has made pedestrians safer, new report says

In a recent Toronto study, people on foot were killed or seriously injured 67% less and 28% fewer pedestrians were hit by motorists on roads that reduced speed limits to 30 kms/hr. “Everything points towards the wisdom of implementing consistent, blanket-style speed limit reductions throughout the whole city,” Mr. Black said. “I really don’t think that we’re going to make a lot of progress on Vision Zero unless we get serious about blanket speed limits”


https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/toronto/article-dropping-speed-limits-in-central-toronto-has-made-pedestrians-safer/
 





Borrow Return Reusable Dishware Lending Programs in Toronto 

Check out Zero Waste Hub Toronto's listing for 13 borrow return reusable dishware programs available for parties, festivals, special events, & takeout places.



 
Mark Carney, named UN Special Envoy on Climate Change, says the smart money is on transition from fossil fuels

Canada has committed to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050; that means Canadian industry and gov’t must transition. 32 min. radio interview


https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thesundayedition/mark-carney-named-un-special-envoy-on-climate-change-says-the-smart-money-is-on-transition-from-fossil-fuels-1.5462453




 
‘Overwhelming and terrifying’: the rise of climate anxiety

Experts concerned young people’s mental health particularly hit by reality of the climate crisis. This articles gives tips to parents when dealing with children. 
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/10/overwhelming-and-terrifying-impact-of-climate-crisis-on-mental-health
 
 
 
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