Ontario election: June 2, 2022
Prevent catastrophic climate change NOW.
Build a future in which our children and grandchildren can thrive.
We're entering an age of unpredictability. Life has always been uncertain and somewhat unpredictable. With the climate crisis, our lives are becoming more unpredictable than ever.
Ian Lipton
"The climate crisis calls for new priorities now"
Never in human history have we faced a threat like catastrophic climate change. At our current rate of carbon pollution, the planet will exceed a 1.5 degree Celsius increase above pre-industrial temperatures within the next 10 to 20 years.
We're currently at 1.2 degrees.
We're witnessing increasing incidents of catastrophic floods, wildfires, droughts, heat beyond human tolerance, and extreme storms all year round.
And Ontario is not prepared.
What must we do NOW to prepare?
We must begin by allocating sufficient resources to ensure that our homes and businesses are protected; that our populations (especially the elderly, our children, and the vulnerable) are safe; and that our critical services and public infrastructure can withstand the conditions that are sure to come.
"We know from the pandemic crisis that the public are willing and able to make big changes in their lives"
Scientists of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have warned that we have 10 years to cut our carbon footprint in half. Despite this warning, our carbon emissions continue to rise.
There are some countries and provinces that are making real progress reducing their carbon emissions. Ontario is not one of them. Ontario emits about as much carbon into the atmosphere now as we did in 2014 and more than in 2017.
For our children and grandchildren to thrive, we must challenge ourselves to make the changes needed NOW. We must abandon practices that are leading to rising emissions.
While we each have our own responsibility in making these changes, government must co-ordinate all sectors of society to take immediate carbon-reducing action based on forward, systemic, and long-term thinking.
"The Ontario Green Party's Climate Action Plan is the most comprehensive climate strategy ever presented to the people of Ontario"
Here's what must happen in Ontario if we're to prevent catastrophic climate change and build a future in which our children and grandchildren can thrive:
- Cut fossil fuel use in vehicles in half by 2030 and to net zero by 2040
- Cut fossil fuel use in all buildings 40% by 2030 and to net zero by 2040
- Stop urban sprawl by freezing urban boundaries
- Double renewable energy supply by 2040, electrify everything practicable, and get to a 100% renewable energy grid as fast as possible
- Replace soil-depleting farming practices with regenerative agriculture
- Protect and restore our carbon-sequestering forests, grasslands, and wetlands
- Create a circular economy that discourages needless consumption
- Address housing, healthcare, education, transportation, equity, and poverty through a climate change lens
"What we've been doing isn't working"
The Conservatives, Liberals, and NDP have not demonstrated a grasp of the urgency and magnitude of the crisis, nor the commitment to do what it takes to prevent catastrophic climate change.
All 3 legacy parties are outdated in their quest for unlimited economic growth. Unlimited economic growth is impossible on a planet that cannot sustain it.
Ontario Greens stand for an economically and socially sustainable Ontario. Our plan is for an economy that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
"If we act now, we can lessen the impact on people’s lives by creating a strong, sustainable economy that will reduce carbon emissions, train hundreds of thousands of people for the new jobs, and allow everyone to adjust to a greener world."
Make Toronto-St. Paul's a Model in Sustainable Living
Climate Resiliency
- Create neighbourhood climate change resiliency plans
- Incentivize home owners and landlords to invest in climate change preparedness
Low-Cost, Carbon-Free Electricity
- Build roof-top solar energy
Increase Housing Supply and Affordability
- Strongly discourage speculative investment in housing with tax penalties. Remind investors that housing in Ontario must not be treated as a commodity
- Strongly incentivize the development of environmentally and socially sustainable buildings and homes
- Develop co-operative housing
- Support increased densification through low-rise, multi-family, innovative development
Promote Mixed Market Housing
- Encourage the development of neighbourhoods that integrate mixed-income and mixed-use buildings
Support Independent Living
- Amend the building code to require new-builds to accommodate the needs of senior citizens and those with disabilities
- Support seniors living in their homes as long as possible through home-based long-term support and healthcare
Support Mental Health
- Create a comprehensive, community-based mental health program for people of all ages
Who is Ian Lipton
Climate change & sustainability expert
- President, The Carbon Accounting Company
- Lecturer, University of Toronto, Institute for Management & Innovation
Devoted father and loving husband
Runner, fitness enthusiast