Climate Action in Burlington – What the City is Doing

Please see the media release below issued by the City of Burlington.Burlington, Ont. — Nov. 7, 2019 — It’s been a busy year in Burlington when it comes to the climate and environmental concerns. The latest in a series of meetings for residents on climate action is being hosted by the Burlington Sustainable Development Committee on Tuesday, Nov. 12.The event will feature City of Burlington staff highlighting projects and initiatives they are working on to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to our new climate. There will be five presentations with time for Q-and-A's on:

• Climate Change Projections and Impacts in Burlington
• Energy Management – City Facilities
• Forestry
• Stormwater Management
• Climate Action Plan update

"The Climate Action Plan is a pathway for all of us to work collaboratively towards the goal of being a net carbon neutral community. The city has been taking climate action initiatives for many years, including installing EV chargers, improving energy efficiency of our public buildings, addressing flooding in neighbourhoods, adding tree planting funds, developing a community energy plan, hosting solar panels on city roofs, investing in public transit, and many other initiatives.  The programs in the Climate Action Plan will support a prosperous, healthy and green community." — Lynn Robichaud, Sr. Sustainability Co-ordinator, City of Burlington

The event runs from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and the doors open at 6 p.m. at the Burlington Public Library, Central Branch, Centennial Hall, 2331 New St., Burlington. To register for this free event, please visit https://attend.bpl.on.ca/event/3288329.Attendees will be given the chance to win climate change related door prizes including one free Home Flood Protection Program inspection available to owners of single or semi-detached homes and townhouses. Other prizes include an Ecobee Smart Thermostat and a home carbon monoxide detector. Coupons for $75 off a smart thermostat will also be available.Quick Facts

• On April 23, 2019, Burlington’s City Council unanimously passed a motion to declare a climate emergency ‘for the purposes of deepening our commitment to protecting the economy, environment and community from climate change.’
• On June 17, 2019 City of Burlington staff presented the Take Action Burlington – An Update on Our Local Environment to Council. Council endorsed this Update Report which provides an overview on the state of Burlington’s environment and highlights local sustainability efforts and actions that can be taken.
• This report has four themes; land, air, water and waste. Each theme is broken down into climate change connections, what the city is doing and what residents can do to help the environment. Climate change connections are included in the report to help residents understand that how we live and move around have an impact on climate change (mitigation) and the effects of climate change will impact our everyday lives (adaption).
• On June 17, 2019, City of Burlington staff also presented a Climate Action Update Report for Burlington to respond to Council directions included in the Climate Emergency Declaration and provide a summary update on the initiatives the City is involved in to address climate change.
• City staff will present a follow up report to the Committee of the Whole, outlining the proposed Climate Action Plan on Monday, Dec 2. The proposed Climate Action Plan will be informed by resident and stakeholder feedback received earlier this year. A follow-up report with the final Climate Action Plan is expected in March 2020.

Burlington has been experiencing more extreme events including the ice storm in 2013, the flood in 2014, high Lake Ontario levels in 2017 and 2019 and increased windstorms. Such events have impacted Burlington residents and businesses financially. The Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation has also reported impacts of flooding on mental health.Links and Resources

• Dec. 2 Committee of the Whole Meeting
• June Take Action Burlington Report to Council (item 3.4)
• June Climate Action Update Report for Burlington to Council (item 4.2)
• Take Action Burlington – An Update on Our Local Environment Report
• Online story map
• www.burlington.ca/environment
• Take Action Burlington blog
• Intact Centre on Climate Adaption

--*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor's Media and Digital Communications Specialist.