Hi Friend,
As people take the summer to enjoy time in nature, the effects of Climate Change feel closer than ever - forest fires are bringing on air quality advisories, tick vigilance is at an all time high - but the more people can see the effects in their own backyard, the more they understand the urgency to act.
We are gearing up for a busy fall, with opportunities to meet in person increasing, so take this last summer month to step outside and remember what we are fighting for.
See you in September,
Gord, Sue and Emily
- ALUS Plan Accepted by County, and other NBCS
- CNL to build interest in County-wide Climate Action Plan with public survey
- Canada on Fire - Demo in Perth
- Learning and Events
- Local Climate Action in the news
- Actions you can take
|
|
1. ALUS-Lanark Approved and other Nature-Based Climate Solutions
|
On August 9, ALUS Canada confirmed that it will support the start-up of ALUS Lanark with administration and salary costs for the next three years. This is an important step in driving Nature-Based Climate Solutions in the County. What is ALUS? Why is this important? And what are Nature-Based Climate Solutions?
|
Nature-Based Climate Solutions
Protecting forests, wetlands and natural areas provides health, economic, environmental and social benefits, particularly those that address the twin crises of climate change by increasing carbon storage or avoiding GHGs as well as biodiversity loss and species collapse — these “solutions” are referred to as Nature-Based Climate Solutions, or, NBCS. According to a Nature United report, NBCS could reduce Canada’s GHGs by 78Mt a year by 2030 — more than 10% of our total emissions. NBCS include protection, restoration and improved land management,
Lanark County is primarily Shield country of forests and wetlands and farm land — just ripe for NBCS.
ALUS, Alternative Land Use Services
ALUS is a national not-for-profit organization that pays farmers to undertake environmental projects that provide ecological services that we all benefit from. CNL has been working with ALUS-Canada for the past two years to win their support to create an ALUS program here. We brokered a partnership of Lanark County and the two area conservation authorities to serve as the legal entity for ALUS-Lanark. Next step will be to establish the Lanark ALUS committee, made up of local farmers, that will run the program here.
Other NBCS Work
With Nature Canada and a number of local partners, CNL has launched a three-pronged strategy for NBCS: communications; get NBCS language and policies into municipal official plans; and land stewardship..
|
Last word to Dr. Paul Keddy. He has been a professor of Ecology for over 30 years and we are lucky that he lives here in Lanark County and has applied his knowledge to this area. Dr. Keddy has prepared a video on the wild places of Lanark County and how we can protect them. His book A Guide to the Natural Environment of Lanark County (formerly Earth, Water, Fire — An Ecological Profile of Lanark County) is a real gem.
Interested in finding out more / joining our group, please contact Gord
|
|
2. CNL to Build Interest in County-wide Climate Action Plan with Public Survey
|
The fall is bringing some exciting developments: Not only will there be all the pressure, possibilities, and media attention with COP26, but Lanark County will engage with the community to develop our own local Climate Action Plan.
And all the municipal governments in Lanark County are also revising their Official Plans, which provides an additional opportunity to put climate change front and centre with our local governments. Just to reiterate, our local governments have control or influence over half of our Greenhouse Gas emissions so there is much we can do locally.
With the County, CNL will conduct a survey of public attitudes on the climate issue that will:
- Increase awareness throughout Lanark County and Smiths Falls of the development of Climate Action Plans (CAP) by the County and the lower-tier municipalities.
- Provide the results of the survey to both the County and CNL
- Inform our citizens of the opportunities to contribute ideas for Greenhouse Gas reduction and climate action when developing the County CAP coming this fall.
- Collect names and contact information so we can inform them of CAP community consultations and other climate community meetings
- Allow local politicians to hear directly from constituents about their thoughts and concerns on the climate crisis.
CNL will reach out to its volunteers to help conduct the survey very soon.
|
|
3. Canada on Fire - Demo in Perth
|
On July 29th, Climate Network Lanark joined 350.org’s Day of Action to call on politicians to take emergency-level climate action to address the record-breaking climate impacts we see erupting across Canada and within our very own riding. 24 people (and one enthusiastic dog) gathered in the rain on Highway 7 in Perth, and a climate pledge was delivered to MP Scott Reid. Read the full story in Inside Ottawa Valley
Upcoming CNL will be participating in Fridays for Future’s September 24th Global Climate Strike. We are looking for community help in organizing local demos across Lanark County. Please contact us if you would like to be involved.
|
|
5. Local Climate Action in the News
|
Regrowth and Regeneration By Chandler Swain, The Humm
Local farmer Alberto Suarez-Esteban speaks about his regenerative agriculture CSA, and how soil health is key to fighting Climate Change.
|
- Volunteer to help organize Fridays for Future’s September 24th Global Climate Strike by sending us an email
- Apply for the David Suzuki Foundation’s Art for Climate Justice project. Due Aug. 15th
- The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville is preparing an Active Transportation Plan survey. The survey is aimed at folks who live or work in the neighbouring Counties of Leeds and Grenville, but a strong Climate focus from our neighbors can provide a template for our own Active Transport plans.
- Join our Nature Based Climate Solutions Working Group
|
|
