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CEA in the News |
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Essex County joins in declaration of climate change emergency Lindsay Charlton, Updated November 21 “What is the cost of doing nothing? Can we afford to do nothing?” The question posed by Essex County Warden Gary McNamara after a brief exchange Wednesday night before county councillors unanimously declared a climate change emergency. “We need to step up, we need to step up and do our part,” McNamara said. “Especially for the younger generation, because they’re going to inherit this climate and we certainly need to leave it in better hands.” “The only way we can do that is by starting to turn the tide and every one of us has the responsibility to do that.” The motion came forward after presentations from the Essex Region Conservation Authority, the Windsor Essex County Environment Committee, Citizens Environment Alliance of Southwestern Ontario and the Windsor Law Cities and Climate Action Forum. The delegations spoke about the dramatic impact climate change has had on the region urging county council to take action. Conservation authority climate change specialist Claire Sanders said the region had been under a flood watch for 175 days this year — noting the impact conditions have had on farmers and the resurgent blue-green algae blooms. Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald said she took issue with some of the language in the declaration. She felt the wording which includes “robust and permanent changes” in how municipalities are doing business. She noted that she represents some of the poorest people in the county and had concerns about basing every financial decision on this latest declaration. Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain said it’s about giving 100 per cent of what you can and said that may look different to each municipality. “As long as we’re all in there working as a team, digging in there trying to make changes — that’s what counts,” he said. “To what degree, as long as we’re doing the best we can, that’s what counts.” MacDonald said Bain’s words convinced her. “I didn’t say that I don’t believe in climate change, but I also am a realist and know what my people can afford. But I will pledge to do 100 per cent of what we can do.” Essex County joins about 468 jurisdictions including Amherstburg and Windsor in the declaration of a climate change emergency. © Copyright (c) Windsor Star |