CLIMATEFAST DECEMBER NEWSLETTER! CALL FOR CLIMATE ACCOUNTABILITY!

• Climate Accountability Letter Writing workshop Sun Dec 13
• Hot News This Week!
• Petitions! Trainings! Resources!
• Climate Justice - Wiigwaasika

Dear friends

Tis the season for climate – accountability and action. It’s the 5^th anniversary of the Paris Accord and there’s so much we can do! We hope you will join in with us and our allies for change.

CLIMATE ACCOUNTABILITY LETTER WRITING Sun Dec 13, 7 pm (online)

The Trudeau Government has finally introduced a new piece of legislation with the stated purpose to help meet its climate goals - the Net-Zero Emissions Climate Accountability Act.

Yet, the current text of the bill is wildly insufficient: it does not include a target for 2025 and it won't require the government to commit to serious climate action soon. It won't establish a clear pathway to limit warming to 1.5C. This is not good enough!

In response, Climate Fast is running a digital workshop to inform citizens about the bill and empower everyone to have their say.

Join us on December 13th at 7 PM as we advocate together for policy that truly protects the next generation!

1.Please Register for the letter writing party here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/fight-for-15-a-2025-climate-target-letter-writing-party-registration-131218601369. 

*Dr. Anne Keary will present on the bill, how it compares to similar legislation around the world, and the ways in which the current version is insufficient to safeguard a healthy climate.

*Participants will then have the chance, with the support of ClimateFast volunteers, to write customized letters to their elected representatives. This will work best if you have ready access to your email program.

We need to advocate for policy that will enable a just transition and protect a safe climate future for all. Join us and learn how to make your voice heard by government on this crucial climate legislation! 

Share on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/420604909123846

HOT NEWS THIS WEEK

ClimateFast and the Wilderness Society (Ontario) put together a small demonstration

Greenbelt Council Chair David Crombie called this move to gut conservation authorities ‘high-level bombing’ that ‘must be resisted’ in his letter of resignation. And resist we did. Sadly the Ford government did as expected and moved forward using their majority to enact these disastrous polices. They passed Bill 229 with Schedule 6 which will prevent Conservation Authorities from protecting wetlands and watersheds and Schedule 8 which guts the Endangered Species Act. We must not forget these cuts.

‘We won’t forget Ford’s cuts to Nature’

Our press release here.

FRIDAYS FOR FUTURE YOUTH FOR 1.5 – QUEEN’S PARK ON DECEMBER 9TH

There’s an international groundswell calling out to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees. This will require effort – and so we need to push. On the 5^th anniversary of the Paris Accord. The #FightFor1Point5 campaign demands that world leaders step up to fight for a liveable future for all!

FFFTO Fight for 1.5 is a pledge that is being promoted internationally.  More info here.

MORE HOT NEWS PHOTOS HERE!

https://www.cycleto.ca/keep-activeto-petitionhttps://www.cycleto.ca/keep-activeto-petition

MUNICIPAL ACTION! COMING TO COUNCIL THIS WEEK – REIMAGINE YONGE ST. PLEASE SIGN NOW!

 https://www.cycleto.ca/news/reimagining-yonge-north-york

FOSSIL FUEL NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY!

If you agree that we need an international agreement to stop exploring for, developing and using fossil fuels then we invite you to sign on: https://fossilfueltreaty.org/home

Both individuals and group signatures are invited. More steps will be coming in the New Year.

LOOKING FORWARD TO TRAINING!

January and February will bring new training opportunities:

1. (Tentative) Monday January 18^th – budget training to help you understand the City’s budget through a climate lens, and hone your skills in writing a deputation, meeting with your councillor and helping to make a difference to the future of our city. Save the date!

2. Sunday Jan 31, 1 – 5:30 pm Help Make a Difference – Climate Change Empowerment Workshop with Henry Wai. By donation: [email protected]
   
   

3. KITCHEN TABLE CLIMATE CONVERSATIONS  Save the dates! February 1, 8, 15 & 22 will be evening training dates for facilitation of Kitchen Table Climate Conversations: our plan is to reach out widely across the GTA and through Ontario to offer these conversations – in a virtual format – to small groups in many ridings. Your help is needed! Registration information will be sent in early January.

January will also bring an opportunity to get involved in a Food Waste Challenge! ClimateFast is a co-sponsor of this Drawdown Initiative. For more information and to fill out an initial survey go here.

RESOURCES

For the Love of Creation offers resources for setting up faith-based Faithful Climate Conversations. Check out the program here. There are recordings of 5 webinars held in November 2020.

Dr. Dianne Saxe – offers a series of podcasts on Green Economy Heroes. Highly recommended! https://www.saxefacts.com/climate-podcast/

ClimateFast has 73 videos including short clips and full programs offered since the spring of 2020. Thanks to volunteer Mark Shapland for organizing our youtube channel collection. Check it out here:

The Energy Mix, www.theenergymix.com, climate and energy news 3x per week, free!

Auditor-General report! Perhaps you heard that the Auditor General came out with a critique of the Ford government’s environment record. You can find the reports here: Auditor-General Value for Money Audits: https://www.auditor.on.ca/ Reports include: Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Buildings and Conserving the Natural Environment

MORE RESOURCES HERE: https://myclimatechange.home.blog

CLIMATE JUSTICE CALL OUT IN TORONTO #LANDBACK INITIATIVE – WIIGWAASIKA

Wiigwaasikaa is an Indigenous youth led land reclamation in the region of Tkaronto covered by the Rouge Tract Claim of the Mississaugas of the Credit River First Nations that was submitted in 2015. Help Wiigwaasika fund two teepees needed for their program!

https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/fundraiser-in-support-of-project-landback-wiigwaasika

Learn more about this initiative

ClimateFast would be very grateful for your support, any amount. Can you consider giving a donation as a gift for a friend who cares about climate but maybe doesn’t have time to get involved? Easy to donate, just use this link. You’ll help us to keep going and reaching out for new members in 2021! To volunteer sign up here.

ClimateFast participants are volunteers; your donation will be used for expenses such as 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