Toronto celebrates Earth Day virtually today
The City of Toronto is inviting residents to celebrate Earth Day virtually this year as Toronto remains in the Shutdown Zone of the Province’s COVID-19 response framework and is under the provincial Stay-at-Home order.
In his Earth Day video message to Torontonians, Mayor John Tory thanks residents for the actions they take every day to green their lives. He also talks about what the City is doing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, address the climate emergency and advance TransformTO, Toronto’s Climate Action Strategy to make our city a healthier, more equitable and prosperous place. The video is available online at https://youtu.be/ZdtletQiPKc .
“The City is developing innovative solutions to tackle climate change. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, and of course we’ve still got a long way to go. That’s why we’re committed to Toronto’s climate action strategy – TransformTO,” said Mayor John Tory. “The strategy will see Toronto become a carbon neutral city and a healthier, more equitable and prosperous city as we take action to reduce carbon pollution. I thank all Toronto residents for the action they take every day to green their lives and our beautiful city.”
This evening at 7 p.m., the City’s Women4Climate Mentorship Programme will host a virtual Earth Day celebration and recognize the next generation of climate leaders in Toronto. Event host Candace Batista, National Eco Expert for the Marilyn Denis Show, will be joined by Councillor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment and Committee and the City’s Chief Financial Officer Heather Taylor, to discuss women’s climate leadership and announce the winner of the City’s final pitch competition. Launched in 2020, Toronto’s inaugural Women4Climate Programme offered mentoring and training to 12 women to help them bring their climate action idea, project or startup to life. The event is free and residents can register to attend at www.eventbrite.ca/e/women4climate-earth-day-celebration-tickets-150647997215
Today, the City also announced the latest recipients of its PollinateTO Community Grants. The grants provide up to $5,000 per project for community-led initiatives to create or expand pollinator habitats in Toronto. A total of 33 projects will receive funding, including 12 located in Toronto’s Neighbourhood Improvement Areas. The grants are a component of Toronto’s Pollinator Protection Strategy, adopted by City Council in 2018. More information is available at www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/environmental-grants-incentives/pollinateto-community-grants/.
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