Poster courtesy of Fridays for Future Ottawa The world has a huge plastics problem. There’s ample evidence that plastics contain toxic chemicals, break down into microplastics that harm our bodies and ecosystems, and contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions—because most plastics are fossil fuel-based, they’re a big part of the climate crisis. Curbing plastics is also a matter of social justice, as the production, use and “disposal” of plastics affects some communities disproportionately. Dealing with the plastics problem is partly about individual action: individuals can choose pla ..read more

Red dresses on Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Search the Landfills International Day of Action, September 18, 2023 – D. Deby photo [Content Warning: Contains references to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People. Please seek support if directly affected or needing local mental health supports.] As I wrote in a previous post, “green living” in Ottawa—unceded Anishinabe Algonquin territory—has to include recognizing Canada’s basis in settler colonialism that continues to separate Indigenous people from their lands. It also entails taking responsibility to listen to, learn fro ..read more

Image courtesy of Stop Nuclear Waste A million cubic metres of radioactive waste, to be stored permanently a kilometre from the Ottawa River, upstream from Ottawa-Gatineau, on unceded Algonquin territory: that’s what Canada’s nuclear regulator recently approved. Despite objections from 10 Algonquin First Nations, more than 140 municipalities, many environmental groups and concerned individuals, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has authorized Canadian Nuclear Laboratories to build a “near surface disposal facility” on its site at Chalk River. CNL already houses nuclear waste at the site ..read more

Image courtesy of Stop Nuclear Waste A million cubic metres of radioactive waste, to be stored permanently a kilometre from the Ottawa River, upstream from Ottawa-Gatineau, on unceded Algonquin territory: that’s what Canada’s nuclear regulator recently approved. Despite objections from 10 Algonquin First Nations, more than 140 municipalities, many environmental groups and concerned individuals, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has authorized Canadian Nuclear Laboratories to build a “near surface disposal facility” on its site at Chalk River. CNL already houses nuclear waste at the site ..read more

Children’s shoes and toys placed around the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill in June 2021, following news of the discovery of potential unmarked graves on the grounds of former residential schools. Photo by D. Deby If you’ve attended a local event in the past few years, you’ve likely heard a land acknowledgement—a recognition that the event is taking place on unceded Anishinabe Algonquin territory. I’ve been thinking a lot about what “green living” means in “Ottawa,” i.e. unceded Indigenous territory. What I’ve learned so far is that it requires understanding Canada’s colonial past and pres ..read more

Alt text: “Global Climate Strike 2023: Friday 15 September, 1:00 p.m. Parliament Hill” appears to the right of an icon depicting a globe, the left half covered in orange flames and the right half covered by blue earth and green trees. Below this, four images show (1) smoky skies above Parliament Hill, (2) a burned forest, (3) a house with a broken roof, and (4) an emergency worker walking towards cars on a flooded street. Along the bottom, text reads “Four reasons to be there! FridaysForFutureOttawa.org.” Image courtesy of Fridays for Future Ottawa. If you’re reading this, you don’t need me to ..read more

Alt text: “Global Climate Strike 2023: Friday 15 September, 1:00 p.m. Parliament Hill” appears to the right of an icon depicting a globe, the left half covered in orange flames and the right half covered by blue earth and green trees. Below this, four images show (1) smoky skies above Parliament Hill, (2) a burned forest, (3) a house with a broken roof, and (4) an emergency worker walking towards cars on a flooded street. Along the bottom, text reads “Four reasons to be there! FridaysForFutureOttawa.org.” Image courtesy of Fridays for Future Ottawa. If you’re reading this, you don’t need me to ..read more

People Power by Quinn Dombrowski on flickr – Creative Commons – Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic – https://www.flickr.com/photos/quinnanya/15229787189 Image modified (cropped) Ottawa City Council has officially recognized that Ottawa is in a climate emergency. The City has a climate change plan, active transportation plans, a housing and homelessness plan, and other commitments to sustainability and equity. Beyond such public statements and plans, though, the City’s progress toward these goals depends on how the City allocates public resources—which largely happens at municipal budget time ..read more

People Power by Quinn Dombrowski on flickr – Creative Commons – Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic – https://www.flickr.com/photos/quinnanya/15229787189 Image modified (cropped) Ottawa City Council has officially recognized that Ottawa is in a climate emergency. The City has a climate change plan, active transportation plans, a housing and homelessness plan, and other commitments to sustainability and equity. Beyond such public statements and plans, though, the City’s progress toward these goals depends on how the City allocates public resources—which largely happens at municipal budget time ..read more

“Vote climate” signs on Parliament Hill – D. Deby photo One of the most important things you can do for a sustainable and just Ottawa is vote in the municipal election on Monday, October 24, 2022. One mayoral candidate offers a clear, achievable path towards this future: Catherine McKenney has a compelling vision of what Ottawa could be, and has offered feasible, community-based and costed ways of providing sustainable, accessible and equitable services while addressing the climate emergency. They have the commitment, experience, integrity and ability to bring people together to make positive ..read more