The next ten years are crucial in deciding what the rest of the century will look like with respect to climate change.
The current trajectory of our greenhouse gas emissions threatens the livability of our planet in our children’s lifetime. We are in our final window to avoid the truly worst impacts of the climate crisis.
Climate science is very clear on the actions we need to take. We must reduce global emissions by a minimum of 50% below 2010 levels in the next ten years and reach carbon neutrality by 2050 if we are to have a chance of reducing the worst impacts of climate change, and upholding Canada’s own commitments in the Paris Climate Agreement.
Immediate action is vital to safeguard our own survival and that of our children, the natural world, and future generations. This is recognized by major cities and countries around the world including the Region of Waterloo that along with all the cities and townships within it, declared a climate emergency/crisis last year.
Now is the time to act on these declarations and to do so in a way that both aligns with science and builds a more sustainable, caring and just society. The goal of the 50x30WR campaign is to accelerate local action and inspire political leadership to create a more just climate-resilient future for our Region.
As the Region of Waterloo prepares their ten-year Climate Action Plan, our campaign is seeking their commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our Region by a minimum of 50% by 2030 (“50×30”), in line with climate science. We believe this commitment to near-term action will serve to spark a much-needed wave of innovation and creativity to build a caring, low-carbon economy in the next decade and beyond, and build the resilience necessary to safeguard our future.
Architects do a marvelous job of helping people to visualize what has yet to be built. For this reason, we are partnering with BRIDGE Centre for Architecture + Design students through the University of Waterloo on Saturday, November 28th, to host a virtual visualization workshop “Imagining a Just, Green Waterloo Region by 2030” (3-5 pm). This visioning workshop will help our community to collaboratively envision the thriving, caring, low-carbon society we are calling on our Region to create.
In the midst of the pandemic, a window of hope and opportunity has opened: an opportunity for us all to shape the economy of the 21st century in ways that are greener, cleaner, healthier, more just and equitable and more resilient. In other words, we have an opportunity to recover better.
There is no greater responsibility than protecting our planet and people from the growing threat of climate change, while building a more caring, just society that is able to work together to address the changes to come. Please join our campaign to work together to address this global challenge with a bold local response.
We can build a thriving, caring, low-carbon society in Waterloo Region! Now is the time to get started. Join us!
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