Newmarket and Aurora residents voiced their concerns about climate change while discussing ways to reduce their carbon footprint at an event hosted by local environmental activists.
Climate Action Newmarket-Aurora welcomed about 100 people to the Newmarket legion on May 29 for a thought-provoking dialogue on conscious consumerism, smart energy choices and activism.
Student Natalie Abor-Gabriel, and friends Omoye Egbodon and Moyin Segede, said she attended for the opportunity to be around like-minded people who want to improve the world.
"Everyone feeds off everyone's ideas," said Arbor-Gabriel. "If one person has an idea, another person will make it better. They can come together to contribute and make the economy better and help tackle climate change."
"I am pleased with the turnout," said Emily Dowdell, a volunteer with Climate Action Newmarket-Aurora. "It was at the upper end of our estimates, and it is so nice how plugged in the different members of our community are. It is encouraging to see there are so many people that do want this information."
Climate activist and keynote speaker Art Lightstone, founder of the Green Neighbour website on climate change, shared a report from the Office of the Auditor General stating that the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions are the oil and gas and transportation sectors.
"On the consuming side, most of that oil and gas is burned in transportation," said Lightstone, "not so much in electricity, not in Canada. Fortunately, we have a green grid across the nation, and that is larger because of hydroelectric power and nuclear power. That is pretty decent.
"It is something you can think about when you're considering how to reduce your emissions. Move more over to electricity and away from oil and gas because if you can do that, especially on the transportation side of things, you can cut out half of your emissions."
Residents actively engaged in the discussion, sharing their perspectives on smart energy choices such as more effective transportation, energy-efficient homes and renovations, eating local, turning down thermostats, and growing your own food.
Dowdell was encouraged to hear the variety of answers.
"I went to different tables, and I thought I would get the same three answers all the time, but I didn't," said Dowdell. "It highlights that it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Different people have different lives. They're going to take different things that work for them, so that's awesome. There is something that works for everyone."
Joe Goode, a member of the climate action group and of the Chippewas of Georgina Island, said he was encouraged by the number of people in attendance, particularly young people and seniors, and found climate change is a topic of high priority.
"What we're seeing is an intergenerational lens and empowerment of taking climate action," said Goode.
Goode finds activism necessary to get governments to take action on climate policies.
"Governments are not going to make decisions around climate policies, or any topic in any case, without the public raising concerns about it," said Goode. "Governments will not put money toward it, update their policies, create policies, create legislation surrounding climate change if we do not organize and if we don't talk to them about it."
Abor-Gabriel also said it is essential to raise awareness of how to address climate change and not be discouraged if you're in a small group.
"Be the change you want to see in the world," said Abor-Gabriel. "When we look around our environment, if we aren't putting recycling in the recycle bins and (are) littering everywhere, that is not us being the change we want to see in the world. That is us making it worse."
Tips to help individuals reduce their carbon footprint by making conscious choices include rejecting overpriced items, eating one meatless meal a week, using up leftovers, buying less food to reduce waste, engaging with friends, neighbours, and politicians about important issues, and opting for sustainable transportation methods like walking and biking. Electric vehicles can be helpful, but it takes a lot of resources to produce and discard them.
"There is ultimately no perfect solution," said Dowdell. "There is going to be waste from electric batteries. We're looking for the lowest emitting in the full life cycle of the product. There is more back end for an electric car because you do discard the battery, but for the entire life of the vehicle, from all emissions that are generated from its lifetime, electric vehicles are ultimately a better choice."
Dowdell said people know climate change is an issue but need help figuring out what to do, adding that she hoped the event provided feasible ideas to start somewhere rather than feeling overwhelmed.
