MISSION: Reduce carbon emissions through community action within Dundas.
Goal 1) Improve the public transit service in Dundas to be more convenient, safe, reliable and affordable.
Goal 2) Develop a fully-integrated bike lane system.
Goal 3) Ensure that all pedestrian paths and walkways are wide enough for people to walk side-by-side.
Goal 4) Implement an “Open Streets Dundas” event in the downtown core on a regular basis, by temporarily closing off King St. Between Cross and Sydenham to build community support for a strong downtown.
Goal 5) Change the building code, creating bylaws to ensure that all new building and renovation moving forward is LEED certified “net zero” energy efficient.
In the near future I expect that governments at all levels will be earmarking huge amounts of stimulus money into the economy at large, and into the Dundas economy as well. I believe that it is critical that we all evaluate “the old ways” of doing business”, (the carbon based way) and that we vehemently oppose this. Economic recovery cannot be based on the old philosophies or principles. Rather every proposed development, renovation, building, roadway, bikepath etc must be assessed by its potential for lessening emissions and for creating a healthier living space and natural environment. I’d also encourage you to take a look at the Environmental Defense Thursday webinar series. This week’s webinar is GREEN RECOVERY - How to build a clean economy.
Here are some comments from Joanna Chapman, May 8th 2020:
I have yet to see any concern or suggestions for assisting other species to cope with climate change, by which I mean the smallest insect to large mammals, the tiniest fern to the tallest tree. We will survive as a species, but the same can not be said for the songbirds - we have already lost around 50%. What can we do locally to assist? ‘The environment’ is not just for people, it is for trees, plants and wildlife of all kinds. The more you increase things like path width, and pathway numbers, the more you take away from other species with whom we share this fragile planet.
How about:
- Take an inventory of all trees and shrubs in Dundas parks.
- Ensure that human traffic does not further encroach into wildlife areas.
- Find out more about the ‘pollinator programme’ and protect insects and ensure suitable native plants are grown.
The public square on King Street in front of the police station is under utilized. I think strategies to improve that space should be explored.
Supporting and encouraging the use and rehabilitation of existing buildings will lower carbon emissions by preserving embodied energy, reducing waste from demolition and reducing carbon costs associated with new construction. LEED now recognizes rehabilitation of existing buildings as good for the environment. Parkside Highschool was a lost opportunity and was demolished. The Valley City industrial complex remains vacant, let’s encourage the reuse of that site.
I see a need to promote other emissions reducing actions
how to switch from using natural gas for heating and cooking
how reducing consumption overall results in lower emissions; what does a lower consuming lifestyle look like?
how renovating homes with better insulation and triple glazing reduces heating demand and enables switching to air source heat pumps for heating
how to pay for some of the items above.......