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!
Supporters of 50by30 on moving to a safe climate future
50x30 Faith Event: Communities for climate justice
Event hosted by Faith Climate Justice and 50by30 WR
Feb 22, 2021
50by30WR partnered with the grassroots group Faith Climate Justice to co-host "50by30 Faith", a virtual event engaging faith communities across Waterloo Region on climate science, climate justice, and a shared call to action. Over 140 people virtually attended. The result was an in-depth 1.5 hour dive into a deep call for faith communities to come together to engage on local climate justice work, and help increase the political will for action.
Full livestream of the event
Presentation by Dr. Chris Fletcher, University of Waterloo
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
Feb 22, 2021
This decade is crucial in our global fight against climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has stated unequivocally that avoiding the potential of ‘runaway’ climate change will require global CO2 reduction of at least 50 per cent by 2030 (50 by 30). It’s time for Waterloo Region to join other municipal leaders and increase our ambition by committing to the 50 by 30 target.
Radio Interview with Scott Morton Ninomiya on The Mike Farwell Show
After the publishing of this article in the WR Record, Scott Morton Ninomiya was invited to speak on The Mike Farwell Show on 570 News. Listen to the full episode or jump to timecode 88:00 to listen to Scott's interview.
Feb 24, 2021
CKMS NEWS - Engaging locally on climate action
CKMS Radio Segment hosted by Shalaka Jhadav
Feb 16, 2021
In part one of this segment, 50by30 campaign organizers talk about the motivations behind the campaign, the need for local climate action, and our work on a petition leading up to a motion to be presented at Regional Council.
Part two of this series talks about the history of organizing in the Region that the campaign is building on, the importance of building solidarity, and what a just climate future could look like, in the Region.
The ALARM Dialogues: A Climate Conversation
Event hosted by The Museum and 50by30 WR
Jan 27, 2021
The ALARM Dialogues was an event to continue to "ring the alarm" on our climate emergency, co-hosted by 50by30WR and Kitchener's THEMUSEUM, with participation from a wide range of compelling speakers. The event was livestreamed on Jan 27th, 2021, and overall provided a deep dive into why 50by30 is such an important target and movement at this point in time, solutions to help us build a more just, green economy, and many exciting ways to get involved (i.e. we need you!). The event also included presentations on suggested strategies for climate action from five faculty members of the University of Waterloo's Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change (IC3).
Full livestream of the event (about 2 hours)
Presentation by Dr. Sarah Burch, University of Waterloo
Presentation by Dr. Byron Williston, Wilfrid Laurier University
Presentation by Dr. Steffanie Scott, University of Waterloo
Presentation by Dr. Paul Parker, University of Waterloo
Presentation by Dr. Amelia Clarke, University of Waterloo