If you’re reading this, you don’t need me to tell you that the climate emergency is here, now. Beyond compelling evidence from successive climate reports, the reality of increasing wildfires, floods, storms, drought and extreme heat around the world is impossible to ignore. Just in Ottawa, over the last few months, we’ve experienced smoke-filled skies, damaging hail and severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and record heat.
Taking action as individuals can feel more difficult than ever, in the face of the scale and magnitude of the emergency, compounded by the failure of many elected leaders, and the companies most responsible for disastrous climate change, to do what’s necessary. It can help to join with others to call for action—that way, we’re not alone, and our collective voices can make a difference.
Here are some upcoming opportunities:
2023 Global Climate Strike
Fridays for Future Ottawa, along with other environmental and Indigenous groups and individuals, are inviting people to gather on Parliament Hill on Friday, September 15, 2023 at 1 p.m. for this year’s Global Climate Strike. We’ll be calling on the federal government and other decision-makers to take climate action: to cap emissions; end fossil fuel extraction, use and subsidies; and support the transition to sustainable and just alternatives. (There’s also a petition to the federal Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland here.) The local event, which includes a range of speakers and musicians, is part of the Global Fight to End Fossil Fuels taking place around the world from September 15-17 this year.
“Fossil fuels—coal, oil and gas—are by far the largest contributor to global climate change, accounting for over 75 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90 per cent of all carbon dioxide emissions.”
United Nations
Community Bike Rides
A number of residents and groups offer opportunities to remind our elected leaders that investing in sustainable, safe and affordable cycling infrastructure is an essential part of climate action and community-building. For example, every month, cyclists get together for a community bike ride—a “self-organizing” Critical Mass ride—that demonstrates the importance of, and celebrates, active transportation. There’s a Critical Mass Ride for Climate on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 10 a.m. departing from the Canadian War Museum.
Inspired by critical mass events, Kidical Mass is a family-friendly bike movement created to “celebrate the joy of biking while calling for a need to create streets that are safe for kids and therefore safe for everyone.” Bike Ottawa, For Our Kids Ottawa-Gatineau and School Streets Ottawa are co-hosting a Kidical Mass Ottawa bike ride on Sunday, September 24, 2023, starting with bike decorating at 9:30 a.m. at Sylvia Holden Children’s Park, 641 O’Connor Street, followed by a ride along Queen Elizabeth Drive to Confederation Park at 10 a.m., and activities in Confederation Park from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.; see the event page for details.
Rally for Public Transit
There’s no denying that the erosion of Ottawa’s public transit system, along with continuing fare hikes, are not helping residents shift from car-dependent to more sustainable and equitable transportation. Free Transit Ottawa and other groups are holding a rally on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. calling for accessible, affordable and reliable public transit.
Petition for Municipal Climate Action
Ecology Ottawa has made it easier to call on Ottawa’s Mayor to address the climate emergency, by posting a petition demanding that Mayor Sutcliffe to take the lead in reaffirming the City’s commitment to and implementation of climate action. Please sign and share!
Green Living Ottawa 