VERY EXCITING TIMES! TORONTO ABOUT TO ADOPT NET ZERO BY 2040 TARGET! ADVOCACY NEEDED!
We had a fantastic turnout at the committee deputations with nearly 50 speaking in favour of the plan, and over 500 letters were sent in! You know who you are - and we thank you! Now let's make sure the Mayor - and your councillor - hear your voices and implement the steps needed to make this plan a reality.
Can you let your councillor know that you want this to be a meaningful target with a GREAT plan and all the resources required to make it a reality? We’veprovided a draft letter (below). This should not take more than 10 minutes and will send an important message!
IF THIS PASSES: Toronto will be the first big city in Canada with this ambitious and needed target. But a target is only as good as its implementation. Your letter will help that to happen
But first! TWO MINUTE ACTION: Sign this letter in support of the plan put together by Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA)
NOW FOR THE LETTER! DRUM ROLL PLEASE!
We invite you to give a call or write a letter to your councillor to express your support and your views on how this plan can be further strengthened!
DRAFT LETTER - PLEASE COPY AND PASTE INTO YOUR EMAIL PROGRAM, and feel free to adapt!
I am writing to express my support for all of the excellent recommendations of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee regarding TransformTO’s Net Zero by 2040 Strategy plan which will come before Council on December 15th, including those amendments referred for staff review before Council meets. I also want to underline my support for the following points which I urge you to support because I believe that they will greatly strengthen the implementation of the plan.
1) A Climate Corps to develop the workforce needed to quickly decarbonize the city’s infrastructure
2) Full funding for implementation of the Net Zero plan
3) Requirement that Toronto Hydro work closely with the City to achieve the climate target
4) Community hubs for educating and engaging the public
5) A public information campaign and companion internal information campaign to build broad public understanding of and commitment to the Net Zero by 2040 mission.
It is really important to have an equitable plan that provides benefits for the community, such as job creation, and works to create greater health and safety for those most vulnerable in our city.
Find your councillor's email address (model is: councillor_lastname@toronto.ca)
Please cc:mayor_tory@toronto.ca, and bcc climatefast@climatefast.ca
Now's the window when Councillors and the Mayor need to hear loudly from their constituents -- ahead of the Dec15 Council vote.
MEDIA COVERAGE! We are pleased to see the City’s Net Zero by 2040 plan in the media! Read David Miller’s op ed in the Star, and read the story in CBC with a special mention of ClimateFast and our deputations.
View the IEC meeting here. Cecilia Fernandez overview of Net Zero by 2040 starts at 4:2 and deputations start at: 4:47.
THANK YOU!
It is really essential that we all work together to meet our net zero targets. . These are ambitious targets and our best chance of success is through the combined efforts of the City and its citizens.. Thank you for being a voice of support for a climate-safe future.
Together we can really make a difference!