Big change requires regulations and political will
Politicians at all levels need to hear from constituents that they want to meet or exceed our climate goals. Sometimes it only takes 10 -20 people to reach out on an issue to make politicians take notice.
“We must reset our thinking to understand that nature contains and creates our climate. Our climate allows society to be possible, and within our society is our economy.” Governor General Mary Simon at her inauguration July 27, 2021
Join Our Monthly Advocacy Meetups!
Join us on the 4th Tuesday of every month when we get together virtually to write to government officials. Topics are decided at the monthly Member’s meeting the week before. When you subscribe you will be sent a link to the monthly event a few days in advance so that you can read up on the action of the month.
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What is system change?
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The Power of Your Vote
In September 2020, Fair Vote Canada found that 93% of Canadians think improving democracy is important to achieving lasting changes after COVID-19, and 74% of Canadians support a National Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform as part of the government’s COVID recovery plan this fall.
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Municipal, Provincial or Federal
City Council is responsible for issues at the city level such as green bin programs, public transit, and urban sprawl.
The Province controls land use (incl. Conservation Authorities).
The Federal government has the ability to set national climate reduction targets.
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Who Do You Follow?
Connect with groups working on climate action in the city, your attention will be focused on making change and you will discover many more opportunities to make a difference.
Join local Environmental Town Halls when they occur.
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Money Talks
ESG Investing (AKA: socially responsible investing, impact investing, and sustainable investing) refers to investing which prioritizes optimal environmental, social, and governance factors or outcomes.
In 2006 the United Nations released a set of guidelines for the incorporation of ESG factors into business policy and strategy: Principles for Responsible Investments (PRI).
What industries do your personal and pension investments support?
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Looking Beyond Individual Action
Understanding environmental destruction as a systemic problem of capitalism is a starting point to deal with the climate crisis. It can underpin campaigning for things like: a just transition to a sustainable infrastructure, and accessibilty to public transport.
Restoration of rural bus services would be a real benefit to many even without a climate crisis. They are campaigns which we can build in working-class communities.
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Changing The Energy System
There is no way to avert the climate crisis without keeping most of our coal, oil and gas in the ground.
Massive changes to our national energy grid, a moratorium on new fossil fuel infrastructure and a carbon fee and dividend (that steeply ramps up) are just some examples of visionary policies that could make a difference.
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Intersectional Environmentalism
Intersectionality highlights how aspects of a person’s social and political identities (e.g. gender, sex, race, class, sexuality, religion, disability, physical appearance and more) combine to create unique modes of discrimination and privilege.
It is a concept that transfers very much into environmentalism and the impacts of this climate crisis.
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A New World View
if we would operate our society in an intelligent manner, with the ‘Energy Certificate’, instead of money, then these could be our benefits. The first 25 years of anybody’s life could be devoted to schooling and job training, suiting a person’s aptitude and ability, with no financial burden to student and family. A working age from 25 to 45, with perhaps a quarter the present working hours and than retirement with full purchasing powers and privileges. Equality of men and women. Full medical and dental care for life. No more debts of any kind to anybody. An orderly planned society obviates competition, advertisement and shoddy products to assure continuous sales and service. The whole fear industry could be transformed to render useful service. If there is no financial gain through litigation, a simple ‘excuse me’ or ‘I’m sorry’ would settle most grievances. The present reason for economic crimes, alcohol and drug abuse would be gone. No more need for anybody to prostitute themselves. And no more wars!
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How to be a Multi-Solver
Is the way we are thinking about climate change preventing us from solving it? Elizabeth Sawin tells how we can solve the climate issue by helping other people solve their problems by linking our hearts and linking our smarts.
Elizabeth Sawin is Co-Director of Climate Interactive, a think tank that applies systems analysis to climate change and related issues. She has trained and mentored global sustainability leaders and Dalai Lama fellows. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.
Know Who Your Local Representative Is and Keep In Touch
Follow them on social media - find out what they are seeing on their feeds and tag them on items that interest you. Call them. Send them a personal email - it has more impact than sending a form email, which has more impact than an online petition.
City Council
Provincial
Federal
Local Advocacy Efforts
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Canadian Mining Companies
Ruth Kanu writes her views on the Mining Industry and why the mining industry is full of Canadian mining companies.
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Write Letters to the Editor
Get inspired and view letters submitted to the London Free Press by Climate Action London members.
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London - a Blue Community
In May, we wrote to City Councillors to thank them for supporting the Blue Communities initiative. Copy this letter or send your own.
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Stronger Emissions targets
Ask the federal government to approve more ambitious targets that will make it possible to limit global warming. Adapt this draft letter to highlight the aspects of this issue that are most important to you then email to the Environment Minister and local MPs. Emails are included in the draft letter.
A GOOD WAR: MOBILIZING CANADA FOR THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY
We did it for the Second World War. We can do it again.
4 Hopeful Lessons from WW2 to Confront Climate Change
1. The Government spends what it takes to win.
2. The Government creates new economic institutions to get the job done.
3. Governments shift from Voluntary Policies to Mandatory Measures
4. The Government tells the truth about the severity of the crisis and the measures necessary to combat it.
Watch this 6 min video made by Seth Klein (author of A Good War) and the Climate Emergency Unit (two Montreal Filmmakers).
Learn More: https://www.sethklein.ca/book
Dear League Members and general public,
We are sharing with you a toolkit for actions based in London Ontario, with a variety of ways for you to make change in your community. It describes a variety of actions you can take, like how to organize a protest or how to speak at a public participation meeting. There are many more resources available online, but this toolkit aims to localize as many of the action processes as possible. Check it out here.
Source: Urban League of London
Past Petitions
Help End The Plastic Disaster
Protect Waters From Ocean Plastics
Recovery Plan for Pollinators
End Grocery Food Waste In Canada