Ottawa, ON

Mayor: Larry O'Brien

Date of Adoption:
2005-02-01

Primary Contact:
Jean Langlois

Why My City is Cool

Ottawa Takes the Next Step to Reduce Potent Greenhouse Gases!
On Sept 21, 2009, the City of Ottawa finally launched its expanded Green Bin program, which will collect food scraps and other household organic waste from another 240,000 households. This will have a huge impact on our community’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Why? Because right now this organic matter gets dumped in the garbage and goes to the landfill where it produces methane, a greenhouse gas 23 times more dangerous than carbon dioxide. (Methane is also what makes landfills stink.)

Instead we can collect this waste separately and compost it. No methane, less pressure on our landfill sites, and lots of compost to improve soils.

Congratulations to City Council!

And a special thank you to Sierra Club Waste Diversion Campaigner Rod Muir (second from left in the photo from the launch event) who worked closely with our local Cool Cities group to encourage this next step.

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Ottawa City Council adopted a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in 2004. The city has even made some progress, but still has much to do to meet its goals. We would be happy to welcome you in our steadily-growing group of activist in Ottawa - Help us help our city follow through on its commitment!

Register on this site (use the Get Involved link) and contact the city leads Marilyn or Jean now...

Next Local Meeting:

Monday October 5, 2009
7:00 p.m.
at Sierra Club Canada national office
1 Nicholas street, suite 412, Ottawa

Meanwhile you can congratulate your City Councillor. Find them at:
http://ottawa.ca/city_hall/mayor_council/councillors/index_en.html

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Tous sont invités - joignez-vous à notre équipe!



 Get Involved with Cool Cities

Milestones Completed (about)

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Milestone 1: Establish Campaign COMPLETE
  • Convene a Cool Cities campaign team of 3-7 activist volunteers
  • Write a city profile on the Cool Cities website
Milestone 2: Engage The Community IN PROGRESS
  • Create a Campaign Plan
Milestone 3: City Signs Agreement COMPLETE
  • Municipality makes formal commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (US: Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement or Cool Counties Agreement. Canada: Canadian Partners for Climate Protection)
Milestone 4: Initial Solution Steps IN PROGRESS
  • City initiates early implementation actions (e.g. energy efficient light bulbs at city offices)
  • City performs an audit of city operations
Milestone 5: Advanced Smart Energy Solutions IN PROGRESS
  • City performs community-wide "global warming audit"
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News & Announcements


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Links

Register to the Sierra Club's social networking site, Climate Crossroads, and join the Cool Cities group to view blog entries, read about happenings in your city, and connect with other members

Join the Cool Cities group on Climate Crossroads!

Yellowknife and Ottawa city councils took up a challenge from Sierra Club Canada, to see which group of councillors would have the highest rate of green commuting.

Yellowknife Council Wins Green Challenge with Ottawa

Provides step-by-step guidance and resources for municipal governments to become more sustainable

Learn more about the Green Playbook

Ecology Ottawa is working to promote citizen participation in decisions that shape Ottawa's environment and to hold city council accountable for its environmental performance.

Ecology Ottawa