October 26, 2015
The City of Toronto's TalkTransformation! initiative invites residents, experts and community leaders to share their ideas to reduce Toronto's greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.
"Toronto and other cities the world over are taking action to cut greenhouse gas emissions to address climate change," said Councillor Gord Perks (Ward 14 Parkdale-High Park), Chair of the City's Subcommittee on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation. "As we look to build on our leadership and become one of the most sustainable cities in the world, we also have a unique opportunity to improve our health, equity and prosperity. I encourage all interested parties to share their ideas and vision for Toronto's future."
The City is seeking community input through two means:
• TalkTransformation! event series: This series will see diverse community leaders share ideas, insights and strategies in high impact areas such as transportation, buildings and energy use, health and more. The series consists of six events, hosted by the City's Subcommittee on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption.
• Online workbook: Anyone can complete an online workbook to share their ideas and suggestions, and to provide examples of initiatives they have seen adopted in other countries.
TalkTransformation! is part of TransformTO, a new project that will create a detailed action plan to reduce Toronto's greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by 2020, based on 1990 levels, and a longer-term vision to achieve the City's 80 per cent reduction target by 2050. The City's targets were unanimously adopted by City Council in 2007. To date, city-wide emissions have been reduced by 25 per cent.
Toronto's Environment and Energy Division and Toronto Atmospheric Fund are co-leading TransformTO. In 2016, the process will include stakeholder engagement and broader public consultations.
With a focus on buildings and energy use, the next TalkTransformation! event will take place on October 29 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. (doors opens at 6:30 p.m.) at North York Memorial Community Hall in the North York City Centre, 5110 Yonge St., just north of Sheppard Avenue. Speakers include Councillor Sarah Doucette (Ward 13 Parkdale-High Park), a member of the Subcommittee on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation; Michael Brooks of REALpac; Katie Harper of Project Neutral; and Leslie Malone of the Acadia Centre.
Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit
http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.
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Media contact: Valerie Cassells, Strategic Communications, 416-392-8306, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
