Cross-posted from Eye Daily.
Here’s what some councillors had to say about the Climate Change, Clean Air and Sustainable Energy Action Plan, which was discussed and approved by the Executive Committee this morning.
Norm Kelly — Some analysts argue that if India and China don’t sign on to the targets, the impact of all we’re doing will be minimal, a gallant effort on our part, but little reward….[This plan] ignores that our air has been getting progressively cleaner. In the end, this part of the initiative may not turn out to be very effective.
Paula Fletcher — Out of the 48 people who made deputations last week, 46 of them spoke excitedly, passionately in favour of us developing this plan. A message that came through loud and clear was that it’s great to have a plan, but it must be implemented. The public came out to speak about local food policy, energy, renewal, conservation, the tree canopy and transportation. They’re with us and they can help us.
Lindsay Luby — The people who have bought gas powered tools — do you expect them to throw them out in the landfill? How do you expect people to change so quickly? As for the road tolls, would we be charging people to drive on roads that are already built? Would any so-called money from road tolls go back into improving the roads?….My concern arises with the rapidity of change and the cost of the rapidity of change. Bringing the public along with us is important. It’s one thing for people to say, ‘oh yeah, let’s go green!’ It’s another if they have to make changes in their personal life.
Pam McConnell — This document needs to be understood and in the hands of the people of Toronto. Unless we can explain this clearly and in plain language, we will be walking and alone and we cannot do it alone. [Ed. note: the climate change, clean air and sustainable energy document is over 400 pages.] If I was asked what the most important thing was, I’d say communication, communication, communication. People need to see what we are doing.
Howard Moscoe — Ontario intends to be the first province to ban energy-sucking light bulbs. These bulbs contain small quantities of mercury and are breakable and therefore can’t be put in the landfill or the blue box. We need to address how we will deal with disposing of them. The new bulbs are packaged in the most unfriendly packaging I’ve ever seen, and everyone of them is manufactured in China — if these new bulbs are mandatory, there should be a made-in-Canada option.
Glenn De Baeremaeker —This report is so good that I don’t have any motions….This report has action, action, action, plus about one hundred reports to follow….I have an electric lawnmower, which works fine — if this is the greatest hardship we have to face than it’s not much of a hardship. My leaf blower isn’t electric; it’s a rake. Cities across Canada are taking the lead and we will save the world!
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photo by DJ Dan on Flickr
