Concerned about Climate Change?
For those looking at getting more involved in climate activism, I encourage you to review, support and connect with the many organizations that are active on climate issues.
Foundation for Environmental Stewardship
Toronto Environmental Alliance
Coffee Cups Now Accepted in Blue Box
As of July 3, 2024, Toronto residents are able to recycle beverage cups at home and other eligible locations. Full details here.
Please follow these instructions for easier sorting and processing at the recycling facility:
Rinse the cup: Empty your cup of any remaining liquids and give them a quick rinse to remove any residue.
Separate components: Remove lids, sleeves, and any other accessories from the cups and place them loosely in your recycling bin.
Loose placement: Place the cups loosely in the recycling bin, without stacking or nesting them together.
Single-Use and Takeaway Items Bylaw
On March 1, 2024, the City of Toronto’s Single-Use and Takeaway Items Bylaw took effect. The bylaw includes:
- An “ask-first/by-request” approach for items such as straws, napkins, stir sticks, utensils, condiments, shopping bags (except those for bakery or prescription items)
- Compatibility of paper bags with the City’s diversion programs (i.e., no metal grommets or plastic handles)
- Acceptance of reusable shopping bags and reusable beverage cups provided by customers at retail business establishments
Be part of the solution. Try one of these sustainable swaps to help reduce your everyday waste:
|
Disposable Item |
Sustainable Solution |
|
Coffee cup Disposable cutlery Plastic or foil wrap Coffee pod Plastic produce bag Dryer sheet Bottled water Disposable bag |
Reusable travel mug Say ‘no’ if you don’t need them Reusable container Brewed coffee or reusable coffee pod Mesh or reusable bag Dryer ball Reusable water bottle Tote or reusable bag |
CLIMATE CORNER
Renewable Energy: How do Ontario and Canada compare to the rest of the world?
By Seniors for Climate Action Now!
2023 was a very good year for renewable energy around the world. Thirty percent of the world’s electricity now comes from renewable sources. This is a sharp increase. Solar and wind have led the way over the last 10 years.
Solar power around the world has increased by eight times. The leaders: the U.S., Australia and Mexico, as well as smaller countries such as Austria and Poland. But Canada increased its solar energy by a mere 2.5 times.
Wind energy has tripled around the world over the last 10 years; but Canada’s rate of growth is much lower than the world average.
What About Ontario?
Ontario is headed in the wrong direction.
The power grid, power distribution grid, electrical grid, or whatever you want to call it, generates and distributes electricity across a large area.
Ontario’s grid was 96% carbon-free in 2017, with hydro and nuclear providing the bulk of it. In 2023, the grid was only 89% carbon-free. What happened?
The Ontario government started putting all its power generation eggs in the gas and nuclear basket. They want to build new high-cost nuclear facilities, which take 10-15 years to complete. They also are spending money to refurbish aging nuclear plants. Wind and solar are not on their radar.
Wind farms can be built in 12 months. The cost per unit of power in watts is just over one half of the cost for power from nuclear facilities. And while those facilities are being built, our grid will be increasingly gas-based. The end result: more carbon emissions from our grid.
Do It Right
Offshore wind farms are not permitted in Ontario. But the Great Lakes offer the possibility of enough carbon-free wind-power to meet Ontario’s needs in both the short and medium term. The moratorium on offshore wind needs to be lifted as soon as possible.
New technologies have made solar power even more attractive. There is a company right here in Ontario installing solar power as apartment balcony railings. Have you heard of increased efficiency solar panels or bifacial solar panels? Neither had we. These are exciting innovations that the Ontario government needs to look into.
Electric vehicles are not a panacea, as we look to reduce individual vehicles in favour of collective means of transportation. However, they are clearly an improvement on gas-powered vehicles. Planned walkable cities would mean more walking, cycling or public transit.
People power is what it takes to pressure governments to reduce our emissions. Let’s go, Ontario.
SCAN! Toronto is a regional group of Seniors for Climate Action Now!
Earth Day Summit 2024 Recording
Learn more about waste management in condos, single-use bylaws in Toronto, benefits of heat pumps, lithium-ion battery safety, and more! Watch the recording here.
Earth Day Summit 2023 Recording
MPP Glover and his guests discuss saving the Greenbelt, EV charging stations in condos, and building innovations. Watch the recording here.
