West Grey recently adopted a corporate climate action plan, and it was met with mixed reactions from residents.
Several residents spoke at council’s Oct. 17 meeting as the climate plan was on the agenda for discussion and approval.
One resident who identified herself as Lucy Leone criticized it.
“In the first page of the plan, the municipality states human activity, namely the burning of fossil fuels is the primary driver accelerating the rise of global temperatures. They are blaming us for the whole thing, that’s absolutely ludicrous,” Leone says.
Michael Risk, a West Grey resident and professor emeritus of earth, environment and society at McMaster University, was supportive of the plan.
“If you approve this plan, know you have the support of every scientist in the world and three quarters of the people living here,” he says.
The action plan says it is the municipality’s response to the global climate emergency, but Mayor Kevin Eccles described the situation as more of a concern.
“This climate action plan is the corporate action plan, it’s not putting any constraints, restraints on private citizens,” says Eccles. “I am not 100 per cent sure why West Grey became the poster child for the anti-climate change group, but there is a large number in our area I know that feel that way.”
The plan says, “West Grey is already taking action to address the causes of climate change. Local climate actions already undertaken in West Grey include waste diversion initiatives like curbside giveaway days, roll out of public EV chargers and the updating of all streetlights to LED bulbs.”
A report from Environmental Officer Nicole Heber says there are various opportunities for the municipality to employ corporate strategies to meet energy and green house gas reduction targets, including energy efficient new buildings, developing an energy efficiency strategy for existing buildings, and introducing new free cups to dispose of various oils, fats and grease.
Council can request a cost and long-term benefits analysis on each of the actions.
Coun. Doug Townsend said during the meeting, “It’s really important that we all understand this is a living document as things develop and things change,” adding, “we can always go back and and make the adjustments we need as we go, as things develop.”
