By Andrés Fuentes Martinez and Justin Williams
Community changemakers in Waterloo Region have worked across municipalities to develop a unified vision and targets for climate action. After successfully advocating for their municipalities to declare climate emergencies in 2019, advocates formed 50by30 WR and worked with eight different municipal councils to set the target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% before 2030. This article looks at how 50by30WR formed, created community buy-in, worked with municipal staff, and ultimately convinced elected officials to support setting this ambitious target.
This is an excerpt of the article published by Climate Action WR. Follow the link to view the full article
TransformWR endorsed by all eight municipal councils in Waterloo Region
By Mara Mackay
July 8, 2021
The TransformWR strategy outlines our community’s pathway to an 80% greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reduction by 2050. In addition to endorsing the TransformWR strategy, all Councils passed an additional interim absolute community GHG emissions reduction target of 50% by 2030 brought forth by local grassroots organization, 50by30WR. Bold and immediate actions from the provincial and federal government will be required to reach this deeper reduction target.
This is an excerpt of the article published in Cambridge Today. Follow the link to view the full article
Local news by Mehreen Shahid for Cambridge Today
June 10, 2021
'If we reject 50by30, we are rejecting the science,' said Coun. Scott Hamilton, in response to hesitation by fellow councillors.
Cambridge will be putting its foot on the pedal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 50 percent by 2030.
This is an excerpt of the article published in the WR Record. Follow the link to view the full article
Local news by Mehreen Shahid for Cambridge Today
June 3, 2021
One local group believes bold science-based actions grounded in social justice is needed now that Region of Waterloo councils have declared a climate emergency.
50by30 Target Approved Unanimously by City of Waterloo to Secure a Safe Climate Future!
May 31, 2021
The City of Waterloo’s Council made a bold statement today that we need to take climate science seriously and lower our society-wide emissions 50% by
2030, to secure a safe climate future. At today’s council meeting Council approved the
TransformWR report which outlines a local strategy for Waterloo Region for an 80%
reduction by 2050 and a 30% reduction of emissions by 2030, achievable with proven local capacity and resources. In addition, Council also endorsed the bolder emissions reduction target that grassroots advocacy group 50by30WR has been pushing for of 50% by 2030 to better align with the action climate science says is necessary to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, and align with the Paris Climate Agreement’s stated threshold of limiting warming to no more than 1.5°C for climate safety.
This is an excerpt of the article published in the WR Record. Follow the link to view the full article
Opinion by Scott Morton Ninomiya for Waterloo Region Record
April 17, 2021
Waterloo Region's Climate Action Strategy proposes an undeniably inspiring vision that by 2050 Waterloo Region will be “a leader of climate action in Canada”. However, a commitment to a 30 per cent greenhouse gas emissions reduction target by 2030 hamstrings our community’s potential to be true climate leaders. We must raise the bar locally and demand that provincial and federal governments do likewise.
Voices from Waterloo Region call for 50by30!
Community members from across Waterloo region share their endorsement of the region-wide campaign for a 50% emissions reduction target by 2030 (50by30), in line with climate science and centering social justice. THANK YOU to everyone who shared their video, and who continues to support this campaign. Together, we can do this! It's time to #BeAmbitiousWR for a just, safe climate future!
Voices from Waterloo region call for 50by30!