GREYS FOR GREEN: Good climate news springing through the negative
‘Despite the gloom about the climate, innovation and technology offer an abundance of progress and good news,’ says Greys for Green member
“Don’t worry about a thing, ’cause every little thing gonna be all right,” sang Bob Marley in the ’70s. But these days, there are lots of things to worry about — whether it’s about the impact of tariffs on your job, grocery prices, the political state of affairs, or climate change.
As spring arrives, however, there are many things to celebrate. Despite the gloom about the climate, innovation and technology offer an abundance of progress and good news.
Golf courses worldwide are being rewilded and converted back to nature — attracting deer, pollinators, spawning salmon, and people who enjoy nature. A former golf course in Saanich, B.C., is becoming a nature park for people with disabilities by removing physical, cognitive, social and financial barriers.
A utility-scale solar power plant on a 1,600-acre site owned by the City of Medicine Hat is expected to be one of the largest urban solar power projects in North America. It will be a productive use of a brownfield site with limited development potential and will contribute to the city’s transition to clean, renewable power.
In 2001, most of Prince Edwards Island’s power came by cable from the mainland. Since 2023, 30 per cent of the island’s energy comes from wind. Today, P.E.I. is No. 1 in Canada for solar installation, and Summerside, P.E.I., is 100 per cent powered by solar.
In Port Perry, Ont., a developer asked council to use a minister’s zoning order to fast-track a 600-unit development, which included roads through wetlands and a communal sewage project on Lake Scugog shore. Council said no.
In 2024, Quebec committed to 100 per cent renewable energy to heat all buildings, except in the industrial sector. This means a big transition to highly efficient electric heat pumps.
More locally, another celebration is coming. The Town of New Tecumseth’s Earthfest event kicks off on April 30 at 6:30 p.m. at the Circle Theatre in Alliston with a free screening of the award-winning documentary, Plastic People, followed by a panel discussion with environmental health experts from Environmental Defence, the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, and the Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health and Environment.
Earthfest continues at the town hall on Saturday, May 3 (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Events will include a repair café to mend clothing and fix small household items (register through the library), bike repair, electric vehicle demo, and fun activities for the kids. Hear from experts on a variety of topics and meet some local community groups. Greys for Green will be discussing how to ditch plastic in your life; we will be helping in the repair café, and we look forward to meeting you at our table.
Conversations are changing, people are living more sustainably, and there are lots of reasons to be optimistic. Let’s all be mindful of our choices, be kind, and vote.
Louise Montague is a member of Greys for Green in New Tecumseth. She is interested in helping others learn how to make sustainable living the norm. Contact Greys for Green at [email protected] or follow on social media.