You asked: What is the Town of Georgina doing to combat climate change?

From converting to LED lights to using new salt technology, Georgina is working toward climate change policies

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 18, 2019
Amanda Persico

For Georgina resident Tyler MacRae, climate change is an issue faced by every level of government.

“I’m tired of everyone saying it is the government at the federal and provincial levels that need to do something about (climate change),” said the father of two.

He posted to a social media, asking what the Town of Georgina is doing about climate change. Does the town have policies in place? Is climate change discussed in council?

“I want to know what the town is doing because they have a direct impact on me,” he said. “Towns need to look after its people.”

Here’s what we found out about the town's climate change action:

Let there be light:

• The town has replaced all of its 4,230 street lights with energy-efficient LED lighting and has retrofitted the Georgina Ice Palace, Georgina Sutton Arena and other community halls with LED lights;

• Other efficiencies include replacing old HVAC systems with new energy-efficient technology and computer monitoring systems to help control humidity levels in arenas.

It’s all part of the plan:

• The town’s current official plan includes a number of climate change initiatives through sustainable development -- including maximizing vegetation to support improved air quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, maximizing opportunities to use renewable energy sources, promoting active transportation, and reducing electricity consumption;

• The town’s new Corporate Strategic Plan includes the preparation of a sustainability plan to promote responsible growth.

Future planning:

• Both the region and the town are legislated to incorporate climate change goals and policies in future town official plans and secondary plans;

• Some of the official plan policies as legislated by the province include: building complete communities, supporting transit plans, stormwater management planning that considers the impacts of extreme weather and uses green infrastructure, watershed planning and protecting natural heritage systems, and promoting local food security through healthy soil and agricultural land protection.

Pass the salt:

• With the increased number of icy conditions, the town has to up its salt percentage in the salt/sand spread;

• The town uses an engineered, treated salt product during the winter months that reduces the amount of rock salt needed.