Climate Action Team (CAT) GreyBruce didn’t plan to celebrate its first anniversary during a global pandemic, but the timing creates multiple opportunities to consider parallels.
The pandemic has shed a light on how humans wait until they are attacked to respond. We aren’t good at anticipating and avoiding catastrophic events, even when we know they are coming.
The relationship between climate change and future pandemics is a recurring theme in 2020 conversations. The risk of pandemics is increased by factors related to climate change. The impact of climate change on wildlife habitat is predicted to change animal/human contact which is believed to be the cause of COVID 19. Deforestation is the largest cause of habitat loss.
There have been positive environmental impacts from measures to reduce the spread of COVID. Our air is cleaner, there are fewer emissions and wildlife is enjoying a respite. People are recognizing their capacity to adapt to a different lifestyle during a crisis. But it took a Declaration of Emergency and immediate action by governments to enforce.
CAT GreyBruce spent their first year engaging residents in recognizing the urgency of collective and personal action to address the impact of climate change.
400+ people attended a standing room only premier of the climate change documentary film Resilience: Transforming Our Community at the Roxy Theatre in May 2019. Film Maker Liz Zetlin and Scientist John Anderson’s collaboration presented a message of action and hope.
Inspired by Resilience, close to 100 people came together a year ago to talk climate action and planted the Climate Action Team seeds that have developed strong roots and have borne much fruit in 12 short months.
CAT GreyBruce has focussed on 4 key roles; building engagement, public education, supporting municipal collaborations/partnerships and outcome based projects.
Issue committees related to Communication, Waste, Youth, Renewable Energy, Bicycle Transportation and Letter Writing have been formed.
In Grey Bruce, 3 municipalities have declared Climate Emergencies. Seven Environmental Committees with public participation have formed.
Public panels and workshops have been held on topics including Declaring a Climate Crisis, Recycling, Carbon Conversations, Earth Day, and Regenerative Agriculture. Municipal councillors, county and municipal staff, community activists, and youth leaders have taken part in the presentations.
400+ people receive the monthly newsletter from CAT GreyBruce. CAT GreyBruce networks with other area groups including Grey Bruce Sustainability Network, Grey Bruce Health Unit, First Nations communities, and has made presentations to municipal councils and provided input to the City of Owen Sound official plan.
COVID has taught us that by working together and taking personal action, we can flatten the curve. Find out how you can extend this civic responsibility to climate action by connecting with CAT GreyBruce via e-mail ([email protected]); website (greybruceclimateaction.ca): Facebook (Climate Action Team BGOS).
We have a lot to celebrate together. Click here to read our “CAT GreyBruce Report on First Year.”
source: media release, Climate Action Team Grey Bruce
