The Greater Peterborough Area Climate Action Plan was written in 2016 with specific targets for Selwyn Township. Goal: Reduce the Township’s carbon emissions by 39% from 2011 levels by 2031.
Tactics:
- make existing and new homes more energy efficient
- encourage cycling with paved shoulders and bike lanes
- encourage walking with sidewalks
- support transition to electric vehicles with the installation of charging stations
- develop a tree planting plan on public and private property
- integrate climate change mitigation measures into all planning and infrastructure
improvement.
Lily Murrow, our sustainability coordinator, reported on September 27, 2022, that Selwyn has reduced its corporate greenhouse gases by 54%. That is good. Now we must reduce greenhouse gasses in the rest of the township.
Next steps include implementing the tactical options developed in 2011 and reiterated in 2022: develop a tree planting program, undertake a landfill waste audit, evaluate the current Link bus route, and, most importantly, cultivate partnerships and collaborations with individuals, businesses, and volunteer groups.
The partnerships and collaborations must be a part of our infilling developments and the development of Lakefield South and elsewhere in the township. For example, a 2009 feasibility study established the viability of geothermal heating and cooling for all new homes. We must ensure that all development creates a walkable, bikeable, community built for people and not cars and that all development includes parkland containing active elements for kids and families.
The climate crisis is real and it is upon us. We must do our part to mitigate it. We can’t do everything. But that is not an excuse to do nothing.
John Boyko 