What Federal, Provincial and Local Leaders Must Do NOW to Address a ‘Code Red’ Climate Emergency

A Commentary by Liz Benneian, a Niagara, Ontario resident and leader of a large coalition of conservation groups across the Niagara region called the Biodiversity and Climate Action Committee – Niagara

Posted August 9^th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

A Brief Foreword from Doug Draper at Niagara At Large –

This brief commentary by Liz Benneian follows in the wake of a United Nations report, released this August 9^th, that concludes that we may have reached the point of no return, globally, on dealing with a climate crisis that is responsible for devastating wildlfires, floods, wind storms and other disaster know playing out in Canada, the United States and many other countries around the world.

This comment from Liz Benneian is just a first take and I am sure that she and many others, including this reporter, will have much more to say about this in the days ahead.

In the meantime, where in hell is the leadership from our governments?

• Doug Draper, Niagara At Large

Now here is Liz Benneian’s comment – 

What could our Federal, Provincial and Local governments be doing that they are not?

Here’s just a couple of things they should do.

Too many discussions by our federal, provincial and municipal leaders sound like this. Where is the Climate Action Plan we need to save any kind of quality life for our children?

Federally: Stop subsidizing the fossil fuel industry; support green energy; increase rebates green vehicles; create a Climate Corps that would provide jobs for people focusing on reforesting and other climate change mitigation and adaption actions.

Provincially: Restart a Green Energy Program; reinstate electric vehicle rebates; change the building code to require more fuel efficient building; change the PPS and the Planning Act to protect agricultural land and natural areas, and focus development within current urban boundaries. Stop building highways and build fast efficient public transportation networks; expand the Greenbelt; re-empower Conservation Authorities.

Locally: stop expansions on green fields; protect natural areas and farmlands and cancel plans to destroy those things with new Regional roads; make all decisions with Climate impacts in mind (budgeting/staffing/planning/ purchasing/contracting and ensure that this happens through all departments being accountable to a body which ensures compliance; green communities; alleviate floods risks through tree planting, rain gardens, downspout disconnections, rain barrels, protecting wetlands and runoff areas.

And that’s just a start.

• Liz Benneian, a resident of Niagara, Ontario and a long-time advocate for saving our environment

To read news Niagara At Large posted earlier this August 9^th on the United Nation’s ‘Code Red’ warning on the climate crisis, click on – https://niagaraatlarge.com/2021/08/09/united-nations-sends-a-code-red-warning-to-the-world-on-climate-crisis/

To visit the online site of Biodiversity and Climate Action Committee – Niagara, click on – https://www.facebook.com/Biodiversity-and-Climate-Action-Committee-Niagara-114688909983836/ .

NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space Following The Bernie Sanders Quote Below.

“A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” – Bernie Sanders