Drawdown Newmarket-Aurora encourages town to declare climate emergency

Yorkregion.com
November 7, 2019
Teresa Latchford

A climate emergency has to be more than a declaration.

It was a clear statement made by Debbie Fletcher-Queen, on behalf of the environmental-minded group Drawdown Newmarket-Aurora, as she stood at the podium during an Aurora council meeting.

She was there to speak in support of a motion put forth by Aurora Coun. Rachel Gilliland proposing the town officially declare a climate emergency.

“The federal government’s 2019 report on Canada’s changing climate indicates Canada is experiencing warming at twice the rate of the rest of the world, threatening our homes, businesses and infrastructure,” Fletcher-Queen said. “We seek to inspire individuals and civic action at the local level.”

There is a need to raise awareness of the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, she continued. The group is encouraging local municipalities, including Aurora, to focus on mitigation, energy efficiencies and emission reduction through initiatives related to transportation, infrastructure and industry. She also suggested incorporating mitigation into development and operations planning.

“By incorporating the definition of a climate emergency into the planning and development process as well as through communication and education of the public, the town will be taking a step forward,” she said. “There is also significant opportunity for Aurora to be a leader in transitioning from a fossil fuel economy into a modern, sustainable, energy-efficient, low-emission and waste-free economy.”

The mission is to limit the risks of severe weather and climate-related disasters that could result in personal loss or have negative financial impacts through increasing insurance rates due to the adverse climate effects.

“What we are up against is huge but not hopeless,” Fletcher-Queen said. “We request that you give urgent thought to Coun. Gilliland’s motion and we will be addressing Newmarket council with a similar request in November.”

The motion tabled proposed the town declare a climate emergency to deepen its commitment to protecting ecosystems by identifying key criteria to help reduce its carbon footprint. It also recommended staff be directed to make the creation of a Climate Action Plan a priority once the Regional Municipality of York releases its climate action plan report while also looking for opportunities for economic growth and stimulation in the low-carbon economy and cost benefits for all who consume energy.

“Those that are here tonight show the residents do care and want us to keep this top of mind,” Coun. Gilliland said. “I’m aware and proud staff have already begun adaptations and mitigations however, there is much more work to do.”

There could be green considerations worked into the procurement process, automatic bike lanes on all new and renewed road projects, boosts to the tree-replenishing policy or a new section in reports focused on green impacts or benefits, she added.

Coun. Harold Kim supported the motion but made it clear he didn’t want it just to be a symbolic motion but rather a call to action for the town.

“Hopefully this will lead us to an action plan,” he said. “But we also have to make sure that the public is on board.”

He discussed the move to clear garbage bags in the last term of council, which he claims received pushback due to the public not being ready.

“This will have costs associated with it and personally I would be willing to pay more,” he said. “We have to make sure the public is aware of the costs.”

According to Mayor Tom Mrakas, Aurora has already been a leader with its support for the Blue Dot movement, adoption of green procurement policies and implementation of various initiatives to protect the environment.

“What Aurora needs is a plan to include a climate lens in our decision-making. When it comes to addressing the impacts of climate change, we need workable solutions now,” he said. “But we need an integrated approach; we need collaborative solutions for an effective outcome.” Council supported the motion to declare a climate emergency unanimously