Citizens Working with Resident Associations in Toronto to Advocate for Climate Concerns with City Councilors

I am an atmospheric scientist who has worked in the university and federal government sectors in Canada. I am the founder of the outreach initiative Impact Net Zero (impactnetzero.ca), aimed at informing and engaging the Canadian public on climate change and energy transition issues. In this talk, I discuss my efforts at engaging local Resident Associations (RAs) in mid-town Toronto, and working with City Councilors and their staff to address local climate concerns. We use the urban heat island as a focal theme. Key elements in the engagement process with the RAs are forging relationships, sharing stories, and building trust. A group of about 10 representatives from 8 different RAs met with a City Councilor and 3 city staff, and initiated a discussion of local concerns – widespread construction of concrete towers, and the use of tree canopies and green roofs to address heat island effects. Potential competing concerns such as densification to create affordable housing and green initiatives are acknowledged and discussed. Follow up meetings are planned. This is an example of how a group of concerned citizens exercising their civic responsibility can take steps to effect changes. I will also review how committed members of RAs, working with building developers, local community, and the City of Toronto, have impacted positively on the ongoing construction of a specific tower.