The provincial government is facing calls to bring back a climate plan.
Last fall, emission targets and reporting requirements were eliminated in legislation.
A group of health professionals, policy experts, Indigenous leaders, and others believe that a science-based, accountable climate plan is essential for safeguarding public health and ensuring the province’s economic future.
Dr. Mili Roy from the Ontario Climate Emergency Campaign warns that the government’s choice endangers the future health and wellness of the province.
She urges the Ontario government to facilitate more renewable energy projects.
“Real solutions such as a large-scale renewable energy transition, including Indigenous-led development, represent a massive opportunity to protect our health, our sovereignty and affordability, to create more jobs, and competitively attract investment,” says Roy.
Bushra Asghar from Organizing for a Youth Climate Corps believes Ontario has regressed at a time when the province is already feeling climate change’s effects.
“It’s costing us in worsening wildfires, smoke-filled summers, extreme heat events, and flooding,” says Asghar.
“It costs us constrained health care systems, damaged infrastructure, uninsurable private property, and rising costs for families.”
Doris Grinspun, Chief Executive Officer of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, states that climate change is also putting additional pressure on healthcare services.
“Nurses see seniors arriving with heat strokes from an overheated apartment; in Indigenous communities displaced by wildfires or flooding many will work directly on other evidence-based practices. We’re seeing increased respiratory and cardiovascular emergency visits due to asthma attacks and other acute symptoms caused by wildfire smoke and elevated fine particulate matter,” Says Grinspun.
Supporters gathered at Queen’s Park on Wednesday to deliver a petition requesting a new climate plan along with an expansion of renewable energy projects.
This month saw the announcement of fourteen new solar projects.
The groups argue that their expected megawatt production falls significantly short of what electricity forecasts indicate is needed.
Randy Thoms is a veteran news broadcaster with over 40 years’ experience. He is based in Fort Frances and covers stories across northwestern Ontario. Contact Randy at thoms. randy@radioabl. ca.
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