Community environment groups are formulating some “climate conversations” to learn and discuss ways to tackle climate change locally.
Sheila Clarke delegated at Thursday’s energy and environment committee meeting, requesting support from the committee to host and plan discussions, which still need to be formally named. A steering committee will also be created.
Clarke said the meetings are a positive way for everyone to share ideas and to connect with the City of Stratford, which is working on a number of green initiatives.
“This is kind of unique,” Clarke said. “It’s city and community working together in a positive framework.”
The meetings will focus on energy and emission sectors and each one will have a specific topic, from buildings and land use to natural assets and ecosystems, to tourism and industry. Meetings will start in April, to coincide with Earth Day. It is estimated there will be one meeting a month and six-to-eight meetings in total.
The inaugural meeting will highlight the Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP).
The CCAP is currently under development by the city. It is a net zero plan that will guide Stratford in its efforts to reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by 2030, and to ultimately achieve net zero by 2050.
The goal is to make Stratford a more connected and healthy community.
Sadaf Ghalib, climate change program manager for the city, will provide an overview of past and present initiatives at the first conversation, giving an update on where the plan is conceptually, and how it will help guide residents.
The committee voted to support the conversations, though did provide constructive feedback.
Felicity Sutcliffe urged that the meetings evoke more than just conversation.
“The point of community meetings is to have concerted action,” she said, to which Clarke agreed.
“We’re all in this together,” Clarke said. “And we should be working together … There should be a lot of emphasis on the fact that there are things that people can do themselves.”
More information on the climate conversations will be circulated, when available.
