SUSTAINABLE ORILLIA
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Sustainable Orillia has launched!
Over 100 citizens attended each of the two events organized over last weekend to kick off the community program - with calls for action on all fronts.
The Orillia Community Church on Colborne Street hosted 130 people for a viewing of the film Anthropocene on Friday, May 24. The award-winning film looks at the many ways in which human activity is re-shaping the planet, and many who attended found themselves shocked by the extent to which the planet is being affected by the variety of activities described from potash mining to the creation of a vast garbage dump in Nigeria.
While some of the activities actually create some beautiful images, they also evoke a sense of horror at the violence being done to the Earth. Many conversations took place at the following reception, with the last of the audience leaving close to 10 p.m.
While some Friday night patrons also appeared on Saturday morning at Lakehead’s Sustainable Orillia conference, there were many new faces in the crowd — again, well over 100 coming and going throughout the day.
The morning crowd heard Mayor Steve Clarke express his support for seeking a more sustainable lifestyle in Orillia, one that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, waste and pollution.
He was followed by Ellen Field, a Lakehead lecturer, who explained how to talk about sustainability, and how NOT to. Research has shown that communication about the planet’s situation has to be expressed in terms of hope, while stressing a doomsday scenario leads to passivity and inaction from most people.
Brad Dibble and Bruce Nagy spoke about the effects of climate change. Dibble expressed the view that we now need to use the term “climate crisis” instead of “change” and focussed on the positive actions that are being taken worldwide and in Canada.
Nagy listed project after project which are resulting in “zero carbon” or “carbon neutral” buildings and reduced emissions in transportation and elsewhere. Both seeded the ideas that were to flow during the afternoon.
After lunch the focus shifted to breakout sessions with discussion and generation of action lists for each of the nine sectors identified for the conference. By the end of the day, hundreds of suggested actions had been submitted.
Sustainable Orillia would like to extend a huge thank-you to the businesses and organizations that helped sponsor the weekend: Brewery Bay Food Co., Mariposa Market, Apple Annie’s, Madison County Beverage Co., the Orillia Community Church (OCC), Bakes by the Lake, The Bird House, The Simcoe County Elementary Occasional Teachers, Lakehead University, Jackie Ramler of Raymond James Wealth Advisors, and, of course, the City of Orillia.
The Task Force and sector chairs now get to work on organizing and analyzing all the ideas in the days and weeks to come. With so many ideas generated, we need to develop common themes, look at the potential benefits of each idea and how much time and other resources are required.
We will look for “quick wins” and “game changers” as well as just good everyday things to do. We will be looking for ways to integrate ideas across sectors while also seeking ways to work with City of Orillia committees and other community organizations for both consultation and cooperation.
You will be hearing from us very soon.
The Sustainable Orillia Task Force will provide a report back to the community by early fall. An implementation plan will be developed which will include monitoring and measurement of many of the initiatives. A schedule of special events during summer and fall will be developed.
One idea to emerge from the weekend was that people in the community can take small steps toward more sustainable daily habits - refuse to buy plastic water bottles, refuse plastic wrapping, make one meal a week meat-free, walk or bike to work at least one day a week, and take transit instead of your car. And these actions can start today!
The members of the organizing team wish to thank all who took part. For those who were unable to, or are just finding out about Sustainable Orillia, there’s still room for your participation.
Bookmark our website www.sustainableorillia.ca to learn more and join us.
Every action you take will help - and you’ll feel better for having taken it.
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