Climate Action Muskoka Update

October 29, 2020

Climate Strikes in Bracebridge and Huntsville  

Please join us tomorrow and every Friday for our weekly Fridays for Future climate strikes. In Huntsville at Town Hall at 37 Main Street E. and at Memorial Park in Bracebridge.

It can sometimes feel like we're the only ones, but we sure aren't! Here's a map from the Fridays for Future website. Click on it to see the world map of climate strikes that continue to happen. 

Pandemic measures — Two metres apart please

We ask that everyone observe physical distancing guidelines and stay two metres apart. Outdoor gatherings are limited to 25, so if we are already at our limit when you arrive 😀please just march! Don't forget to post on social! #climateactionmuskoka #muskoka #fridaysforfuture Thank you!

Slay Your Phantoms This Halloween

It is called "phantom" or "standby" power, and it could account for up to 10 per cent of your home’s energy use. The average Canadian home has 25 or more electronic devices that use phantom power, producing about 157 kgCO2e, costing you about $150 a year. Find out how much energy your electronics really use and the top ten ways to fight the phantoms.

Find smart ways to save in every room of your house from Hydro One in the Phantom Power Room-by-Room Guide.

While you're at it, have you taken the 50% by 2030 Community Carbon Challenge yet? Learn more, take the challenge!

POLITICAL ACTION OF THE WEEK

Take the Northeastern Ontario Rail Corridor Survey

Take advantage of this limited-time opportunity to tell the Ontario Government how you feel about having train service along the rail corridor between Toronto, North Bay and Cochrane/Timmins. Your feedback will help inform their plan to improve the transportation system in northeastern Ontario. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and closes on November 20th. They will report back in Winter 2021. Take the Survey.

Muskoka Drawdown — The True Cost of Road Salt

Doesn't this picture just make you cringe? Imagine 1,000 salt trucks dumping their load into Lake Muskoka. It's too scary for Halloween, right? Unfortunately, Dr. Norman Yan checked, and that much road salt really is in Lake Muskoka.

Join us for Climate Action Muskoka's Muskoka Drawdown on Hunters Bay Radio this Saturday at 7:30 am, when we explore the true cost of road salt.
Thanks so much to Dr. Norman Yan for coming on the show. Norman is one of the top experts in this field, and he'll tell us about some ground-breaking research he has just published with the Friends of the Muskoka Watershed. The good news is you'll also get some tips on how you can help.

Muskoka Drawdown is on Hunters Bay Radio, this Saturday at 7:30 am. Listen live at 88.7 fm or stream it online. If you miss the show, it will be available as a podcast afterwards. (Norman's report itself, 'Road Salt Threat to the Muskoka Lakes: Answering 10 Key Environmental Questions' is available for download on FOMW's Resources Page.)

Pension Fund Capitalism and the COVID-19 Pandemic — Planet Haliburton

Alternatively (or, these two local, climate-conscious radio shows both being available as podcasts), in addition, in neighbouring Haliburton, Planet Haliburton on CanoeFM (100.9 fm) will be airing "Pension Fund Capitalism and the COVID-19 Pandemic," Saturday October 31 from 7:00 am to 8:00 am. Learn more and listen. 

Signed Up Yet? GHGs and Your Carbon Footprint — A Special Presentation

Climate Action Muskoka proudly presents "GHGs and Your Carbon Footprint," a webinar this Sunday November 1st at 7 pm. Our guest is Ben John (above), Climate Change & Energy Specialist at the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve, and designer of the Carbon Tracker we are using for our 50% by 2030 Community Carbon Challenge.

Ben will discuss what you need to know about greenhouse gases (GHGs) and your carbon footprint. You'll also receive context behind how your rural carbon footprint compares to the Ontario and Canada averages. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer period. You must register for this Zoom call in advance. Space is limited. Register now.

Take the Wilson Falls Trail Redevelopment Survey

The community is invited to complete a short survey to give input for redevelopment of Bracebridge Wilson Falls Trail. The survey will be open until Friday Nov. 13. (Note that you have to register as a user first. The whole thing took about 15 mins.) https://engagebracebridge.ca/wilsons-fall-trail-redevelopment  

Muskoka council's climate resolution hollow copy of group's decree — Letter to the Editor

Len Ring of Climate Action Muskoka on what went wrong with the climate emergency declaration recently passed by District Council in this letter to the editor published in Muskoka Region. Read the letter. 

About Climate Action Muskoka

Climate Action Muskoka is an inclusive, non-partisan group of citizens concerned about climate change in Muskoka who believe in working together to inspire individuals, groups, and every level of government to make the dramatic changes needed to meet this historic challenge.

You can find us online at www.climateactionmuskoka.org.
Facebook = Climate Action Muskoka | Instagram @climateactionmuskoka
climateactionmuskoka@gmail.com and hello@climateactionmuskoka.org.
Please follow the group and use the #climateactionmuskoka hashtag.