Our friends at Ecology Ottawa asked us to share this upcoming event:Earlier this week, the harsh reality of climate change continued to play out before our eyes: a new federal study show Canada is experiencing warming at twice the global average. This means we will see, among other climate impacts, more frequent and extreme flooding, deadlier heat waves, and wildfires razing larger swaths of our forests.ÌýThis report reminds us that Canada is not exempt from the climate crisis, and neither isÌýOttawa.
This is the second time I’ve been faced with the reality of my home being ravaged by climate change. Twelve years ago, as a teenager in Vietnam, I was forced to grapple with fear, anxiety and helplessness upon learning that my hometown, Ho Chi MinhÌýCity, will be underÌýwater in the coming decades as world temperatures rise. Since then, I have adopted Ottawa as my new home. I have continued to advocate for climate action, and have come to admire the incredible power of everyday people standing up to protect their home.
Ottawa, it’s time for us to do just that.ÌýThe effects of climate change are already being felt: record floods in 2017; devastating tornadoes in late 2018; summers of extreme and deadly heat; and winters with erratic freeze-thaw cycles. Fighting climate change isn’t just about protecting the environment, but about safeguarding our way of life, protecting our most vulnerable residents, and building a more vibrant and resilient city.ÌýThisÌýis a climate emergency, and we have the tools to respond to the scope and scale of the crisis.
OnÌýTuesday, April 16, councillor Shawn MenardÌýwill bringÌýforward a motion to the Environment Committee declaring a climate emergency and proposing bold actions to safeguard Ottawa’s neighbourhoods and ecosystems.Ìý
A strong display of support for this motion is absolutely integral if we are to make our representatives understand the dangerous realities of climate change in Ottawa.Ìý
Find out more about what a climate emergency means byÌý.
I hope you’ll stand with me andÌýthousandsÌýof other Ottawa residents on Tuesday, April 16 as we fight for a more liveable, vibrant and resilient Ottawa.ÌýBecause we all love this city.
Thank you for all you do.
Vi, Robb, Lauren, Velta, Albertine, Héloïse, Juliette, Erik and the Ecology Ottawa team