Here’s are some recent references to For Our Grandchildren in various news stories.
- Climate change impact on health focus of virtual event by 4RG, Peterborough Public Health
Health and environmental advocates in Peterborough will host an online session next week focusing on the health impacts of climate change.
The Monday, Nov. 14, virtual event, called “Climate Change is Affecting Your Health: A Climate Change Awareness Event,” is being hosted by 4RG (For Our Grandchilden) and Peterborough Public Health. The keynote speaker will be Drew Monkman, a naturalist, three-time novelist, columnist, and an advocate for environmental education.
- 4RG Candidate Survey Article in the Peterborough Examiner
Peterborough’s For Our Grandchildren environmental group surveyed all candidates running in the Oct. 24 municipal election in the area with five questions on climate change to raise awareness among the candidates of what kind of actions are possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their community and to give citizens a chance to see where the candidates stand.
The Examiner will be reporting abridged responses of candidates running in the eight townships of Peterborough County in the coming days. Today, we look at four townships. For brevity, answers to only some of the questions are included.
- Thomas Piggott's op-ed features our upcoming Health Event
In this op-ed, Dr. Thomas Piggott, Peterborough's Medical Officer of Health, discusses the linkages between the climate emergency and health around the world and here at home today. He also plugs the 4RG event that we will hold with PPH on November 14th.
- Protecting Peterborough’s Urban Canopy
Look here for the Peterborough Examiner story about our Tree Event.
- Peterborough Examiner coverage of the Environmental Debate
Three of four candidates discussed their party platforms as they relate to environmental issues, especially climate action.
- Malaika Collette Interview for Thursday's Debate.
May 12, 2022 - Malaika Collette was very clear in an interview on CHEX leading up to the Debate on the Environment. "We are not doing enough, and we are not hearing enough about the climate crisis. Local awareness and action are very important to rise to this challenge."
- Guy Hanchet Interview on CHEX in publicity for our Tree Event
May 10, 2022 - Guy Hanchet's interview talked of the benefits of trees in an urban setting, and of the benefits of working with like minded people to combat the sense of eco-anxiety that many ordinary citizens are feeling.
- Mapping Canada's Path to Net Zero
Jan 21, 2022 - In this article, Al Slavin explains the sectors of Canada's energy use and the actions that must be taken to get to net-zero by 2050.
- Drew Monkman on CHEX
Drew was interviewed on CHEX for his take on the recent IPCC report.
- We can make a world of difference for our grandchildren
For our Grandchildren (4RG) has been operating in Peterborough since 2013 to “Inform, Educate and Motivate” on the climate crisis. We offer ways to connect you to the single most important issue affecting you and our children’s lives.
The link will take you to the original article as published in the Peterborough Examiner.
- Guy Hanchet comments on Liberal Climate Plan
Guy Hanchet appeared on CHEX in December, 2020, commenting on the Liberal government's recently announced climate change plan that features an increasing emphasis on their carbon tax which they like to call a price on pollution.
- 4RG Letter to Maryam Monsef
Nov 28, 2020 - Our letter to Maryam Monsef was in today's print edition of the Peterborough Examiner. Copies have been sent to the PM, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, and the Deputy PM as well as to opposition leader parties. We have agreement to discuss in person with Ms. Monsef in the week of December 14.
- Hot November in Peterborough
Drew Monkman explains why the unusually warm November weather in Peterborough reflects bad news for the world. He says that you need to vote for a candidate and party who will act seriously.
- Drew Monkman on CHEX regarding this year's heat wave.
Drew Monkman interviewed on CHEX TV points out that there have already been 32 days above 30 degrees this summer and reminds us that in the 1990’s, there was an average of only 6 days per summer. This is clear local evidence of the accelerating pace of the climate crisis.
- Drew Monkman on Chex TV
Drew's excellent commentary on the Climate Crisis and its link to our current heat wave.
- Peterborough County council says ‘no’ to climate crisis request
Peterborough County Council has denied a request to consider declaring an emergency climate crisis for the region. During council’s teleconference meeting on Wednesday, Guy Hanchet, chair of For Our Grandchildren, along with Kate Grierson, an executive member of the organization, delivered several reasons for the request during a lengthy presentation.
Malaika Collette — a 17-year-old from Lakefield who is a member of the group Peterborough Youth Empowerment — told council members during the presentation that her generation is the last that will be able to make a significant impact on climate change, before there is irreparable damage.
https://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/news/peterborough-region/2020/06/25/peterborough-county-council-says-no-to-climate-crisis-request.html
- Panel Discussion on YourTV
Guy Hanchet and Malaika Collette from Peterborough Youth Empowerment joined Jim Hendry, Taylor Clysdale, and Jeff Leal for a discussion on what Peterborough City's recent moves to implement the Climate Change Action Plan.
- Public forum on Climate Emergency for Peterborough
4RG and Peterborough Youth Empowerment joined forces with Robert Kiley, Councillor from Kingston, in presenting reasons why now is the right time for Peterborough to declare a Climate Emergency.
- Peterborough Green New Deal Town Hall
Here is coverage in The Examiner of the Green New Deal Town Hall.
- TVO story cites Donations to support Peterborough Climate Change Action Plan
TVO story talks about the Peterborough Climate Change Action Plan and 4RG role in gatting some teeth behind it.
- Peterborough puts some teeth into Climate Change Action Plan
Peterborough city council passes several motions that will lead to implementation of the actions of the Peterborough Climate Change Action Plan.
- 4RG Urges Peterborough Council to fund the Climate Change Action Plan
Al and Linda Slavin lead a 4RG delegation urging council to fund the Climate Change Action Plan while there is still time to take action.
- Climate Emergency Fee proposed for Peterborough
4RG proposes that Peterborough implement a Climate Emergency Fee to fund the provisions of the Climate Change Action Plan.
And here are some Letters to the Editor from members of For Our Grandchildren.
- Clarke pushed for city climate reforms
Oct 14, 2022 - A recent column criticized Henry Clarke for wanting to leave the Parkway expansion as an option for the city. The article went on to say, “These climate impacts threaten our infrastructure, our businesses, our health and safety, and are costly to respond to.” This is true, and I am personally in favour of retaining green space over extension of the parkway.
However, in fairness to Henry, he is the councillor who has set the stage for the city to make real inroads on its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In 2020 Henry moved the establishment of a Climate Change Reserve Fund (CCRF) that created an annual budget line for $264,000 to address this problem.
Since then, the city has used that money to fund many projects that otherwise probably would not have been funded, given the reluctance of council to add expenses to its established budget. According to staff Report IPS21-019 from June 2021, the CCRF allowed the 2022 budget to include an Alternative Fuel Study for Transit, EV Charging Infrastructure for the city fleet, a GHG Reduction Pathway Feasibility Study (Buildings) including $100,000 toward the new net-zero Fire Station, other sustainability projects totalling $65,000, and the climate change co-ordinator Position. These are all essential parts of a real GHG reduction program.
Prior to the formation of the CCRF, the city had done very little toward meeting the goal of a 45 per cent reduction in GHGs by 2030.
It will be up to the next council to ensure that the studies paid for by the CCRF actually get implemented. Hopefully, Henry’s legacy will live on whether or not he is elected.
Kate Grierson
- 'Hybrid' heating incentive an ‘expensive trap’
Al Slavin's letter published in several newspapers.
As a trial program, Enbridge Gas is partnering with the Ontario government to offer homeowners in four Ontario cities Sault Ste. Marie, St. Catharines, Peterborough, and London, an incentive of $3500 to $5000 to install a “hybrid heating” system. The hybrid system combines an air-source heat pump or ASHP, (which can work efficiently down to about -25 C), with a high-efficiency gas furnace which cuts in at lower temperatures. Enbridge states that this will reduce energy costs over the long term (compared to gas heating only), reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly, and also provides air conditioning on hot days.
All this is true.
However, what the Enbridge offer does not say is that there is a cheaper approach that reduces greenhouse gases even more and also provides air conditioning: using an ASHP with a resistive heating element that cuts in at very low temperatures, which will happen only a few days a year.
The upfront installation cost is higher for this system than for a gas furnace, but a recent calculation by the Clean Air Alliance (https://tinyurl.com/4brrf4yk) shows that the average Ontario homeowner would save $4,000 over the 15-year lifetime of the equipment; this includes using the $5,000 federal incentive for installing an ASHP. Moreover, when this is combined with an ASHP for domestic water heating rather than a gas water heater, you can totally disconnect your gas line and save the $22/month Enbridge fixed charge which is there even if you don’t use any gas.
This increases the lifetime savings to about $10,000. Going the Enbridge route locks you in for the 15-year lifespan of the equipment, costs more overall, and damages the climate much more.
The time to prepare for this changeover is before your current heating system reaches the end of its lifetime. Note that not all ASHPs are equally efficient, so do your research beforehand and get several quotes from installers.
Alan Slavin
Otonabee, Ont. - Letter of support for Henry Clarke as mayoral candidate
I am encouraged by the article in the Examiner reporting that Henry Clarke, one of the candidates for mayor, has opened his campaign with a clear, strong, policy statement committing to place climate change at the top of his priority list if elected. His policy statement, published on his website, highlights specific actions he will undertake so that Peterborough can meet its promises made in the declaration of a climate emergency three years ago.
The article shows no sign of any consideration of climate action from the other candidates interviewed. I can only hope that other mayoral and council candidates will stand up for the climate as Mr. Clarke has done, and that citizens will take the past records and current platform positions on climate change into consideration when voting in the upcoming municipal election, both in the city and in the townships.
Keep in mind that municipalities have a direct influence on roughly half of the greenhouse gas emissions in Canada when researching your candidates and casting your vote.
- Canada can do more to address climate change
The Peterborough Examiner- 12 Apr 2022
As a concerned Canadian citizen, I am disgusted by my government’s disregard for the science of climate change. The IPCC has made it clear, again, just last week, that we must not develop any new fossil fuel projects. The Bay du Nord project just adds fuel to the fire that is burning the world.
Any claim about net-zero emissions for this project is a lie — the stuff it will dig up from the bottom of the sea will be burned. When it is burned it will contribute to CO2 concentrations that just topped 420 PPM last weekend.
The economy of the Maritimes is no excuse for adding to the poison that is choking and burning the world. Why don’t you instead enable building of offshore wind generation?
I am particularly upset with Stephen Guilbeault, minister of the environment and climate change, because I know that he knows better. Mr. Guilbeault, you can do better. You must do better. I beg of you to do better. No short-term political gain is worth this destructive action.
Guy Hanchet, Lakefield
- Why approve new fossil-fuel projects in Canada?
The Peterborough Examiner, 12 Apr 2022 In response to the latest IPCC report on the climate crisis, the head of the UN, Antonio Guterres, says “Investing in new fossil fuels infrastructure is moral and economic madness.”
We don’t like to think of our government as morally and economically mad. However, we cannot understand why you have decided to make the climate crisis worse by approving the development of new fossil fuels in the Bay du Nord project off Newfoundland.
We have to reduce fossil-fuel production rapidly, not increase it!
We do not like our country to be governed by “truly dangerous radicals,” another phrase appropriately used by Guterres. Newfoundland does have an employment problem that could be addressed through the development of re-training programs for fossil-fuel workers and more investment in green energy solutions.
The government has already made plans to reduce emissions, but has just nullified them by increasing the production of fossil fuels.
We don’t have time, and carbon capture is not the answer.
If your kitchen sink is overflowing, you start by turning off the tap, not by reaching for a mop!
Linda and Alan Slavin, Wallace Point Road
- Guy Hanchet in Toronto Star re Bay du Nord
Here’s what the Bay du Nord oil project will do — and why it’s controversial, April 6
As a concerned Canadian citizen, I am disgusted by my government’s disregard for the science of climate change. Just last week the IPCC made it clear, again, that we must not develop any new fossil fuel projects. The Bay du Nord project just adds fuel to the fire that is burning the world.
Any claim about net zero emissions for this project is a lie — the stuff it will dig up from the bottom of the sea will be burned. When it is burned it will contribute to CO2 concentrations that just topped 420 PPM last weekend. The economy of the Maritimes is no excuse for adding to the poison that is choking and burning the world. Why don’t you instead enable building of offshore wind generation?
I am particularly upset with Stephen Guilbeault, minister of the environment and climate change, because I know he knows better. Mr. Guilbeault, you can do better. You must do better. I beg of you to do better.
No short-term political gain is worth this destructive action.
Guy Hanchet, Lakefield, Ont.
- Ford Continues to ignore Climate Science
Mar 10, 2022 - Linda Slavin's letter to the Examiner criticizes Doug Ford's policy of expansion of natural gas pipelines into rural areas with a subsidy of over $26,000 per customer.
