Category: News

Weekly Climate Strikes begin in Huntsville & Other News

CAM
Climate strikers in Huntsville, Autumn 2019
Climate strikers in Huntsville, Autumn 2019

Exciting news! Weekly climate strikes are starting in Huntsville tomorrow! Friday February 7, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm in front of Town Hall, 37 Main Street East.

Bring a sign if you can. If not, we can find you one. Come out and meet new friends and talk climate action. #climatestrikehuntsville.

If you’re not free this Friday, we will be there every Friday from now on, same time, same location!

Weekly Gravenhurst and Bracebridge Climate Strikes Continue

Also, congrats to the Bracebridge team, which is coming up on its 21st weekly climate strike since September 21! Find us at Memorial Park every Friday from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm as well. #climatestrikebracebridge

And to the folks in Gravenhurst: this will be their third week. (Heck, let’s start keeping track!) They gather in front of the Post Office at Muskoka Rd. N. Everyone is invited. #climatestrikegravenhurst

Climate strikers in Bracebridge, January 2020

Pop Up Climate Strikes

Minimize your driving! How about organizing a climate strike right in your neighbourhood! It only takes two people, some signage and an hour a week to raise awareness of the urgent need for climate action. #HonkForClimateAction #FridaysForFuture.

Climate strikers! We invite you to take a picture of your #MuskokaClimateStrike and send it along to us, or post it on the @ClimateActionMuskoka Facebook or Instagram page. We’d love to see #climatestrikebala #climatestrikehoneyharbour or heck, #climatestrikemcnabbstreet!

Whereever you are, we hope you can join us!

CAM Sub-Committees Making Progress

Our group’s ad-hoc steering committee held a very fruitful meeting on Sunday February 2nd in which members of our new sub-committees worked on their roles and objectives. We encourage everyone who is interested in getting involved in a sub-committee, or in sharing ideas and resources, to contact us at climateactionmuskoka@gmail.com.

A group of climate activists sitting in a circle in an office.

Sub-Committees are: Communications | Presenting to Council | Endorsements | Transportation | Waste | Food | Built Infrastructure | Water. Read our blog about it.

Recommended Read of the Week

Picture of Celine MacKay shopping at the Muskoka North Good Food Co-op.

Our Top Eco Actions of 2020. This is an inspiring line-up of positive steps we can all take, both in our individual actions and in our thinking. Bonus list of recommended reads at the end. There’s a heck of a lot in here. Kudos to Celine MacKay and Sustain Eco Store in Huntsville and Peterborough for pulling this important blog together!

Remember: We Climate Strike Every Friday

Rome wasn’t built in a day. We climate strike in Gravenhurst at the Post office at Muskoka Rd. N. and Bay, and in Bracebridge at Memorial Park and now Huntsville at Town Hall every Friday from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Come when you can. #fridaysforfuture #climatestrike

About Climate Action Muskoka

Climate Action Muskoka is an inclusive, non-partisan group concerned about climate change in Muskoka who believe in working together and supporting one another 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. We have a landing page and a few news items. More to come.

Facebook = Climate Action Muskoka | Instagram @climateactionmuskoka
climateactionmuskoka@gmail.com and hello@climateactionmuskoka.org.
Please follow the group and use the #climateactionmuskoka hashtag.

Inspirational Quote of the Week

“You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life.” ~ Zig Ziglar

Making Progress

CAM
Group of about 20 people sitting in circle.

Our ad-hoc steering committee held its third meeting on Sunday February 2nd. It’s great to hear the ideas and progress that each sub-committee is making in determining its roles and objectives.

The committee list is below. Absent members are not named. Please contact us if you would like to help out with a sub-committee or share your thoughts, ideas and resources. Email climateactionmuskoka@gmail.com, with the name of the sub-committee in the subject line.

Group of about 20 people sitting in circle.
We’re all ears!
Communications: Bet, Sheryl, Tamsen and Steve
Presenting to Counci and Endorsements: Sue, Len, Diana and Linda
Transportation: Arleigh, Robin and Gord
Waste, Food and Agriculture: Amy, Celine, Christine, Lesley, Susan and Trisha

Built Infrastructure is headed up by Melinda, who was unable to attend.

Water is headed up by Erin, also absent.

We look forward to telling you more soon.

Update – January 30, 2020

CAM
Gravenhurst climate strike-courtesy of Muskoka Region

Weekly Climate Strike Tomorrow — in Gravenhurst and Bracebridge

This is a reminder that weekly climate strikes are happening in Gravenhurst at the Post Officeat the corner of Muskoka Rd. N. and Bay, and in Bracebridge at Memorial Park. We hope you can join us!

Bring a sign if you can. If not, we can find you one. Come out and meet new friends who want to talk climate action. Bring a friend or family member.

And if you’re passing by, honk for climate action!

Congratulations Sue, Len, Nancy and the rest of the crew in Gravenhurst on a successful first week! Here is our webpage with media coverage about CAM’s various activities. If you see a news story about CAM, please let us know and we’ll add it to the page.

Climate strikers Judy and David in front of Climate Action Muskoka banner in Bracebridge.

Recommended Read of the Week

Image of article: The Power of Living Soil: picture of a slice of bread. Read the article and you'll know why.

Our own Bet Smith has written a wonderfully engaging and informative article about Regenerative gardening called The Power of Living Soil. If you ever even thought about gardening, this read will be a real treat. Thanks Bet!

Seeking A Recycling Enthusiast

Do you know someone who is very into recycling? I mean, knowledgeable enough, and into it enough to shout it from the rooftop? I’m looking for a lively inteviewee for Muskoka Drawdown, a new radio show on Hunters Bay Radio. Please contact me to discuss. tamsentillson@gmail.com. Thanks!

Inspirational Quote of the Week

“They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” ― Andy Warhol

Weekly Climate Strikes Begin in Gravenhurst

CAM

Update January 23, 2020

Exciting news! Weekly climate strikes are now happening in Gravenhurst, starting tomorrow! Friday January 24, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Post Office, which is at the corner of Muskoka Rd. N. and Bay.

Bring a sign if you can. If not, we can find you one. Come out and meet new friends who are as concerned as you Bring a friend or family member.

If you’re not free this Friday, we will be there every Friday from now on, same time, same location!

Weekly Bracebridge Climate Strikes Continue

Also, congrats to the Bracebridge team, which is coming up on its 18th weekly climate strike since September!

Find us at Memorial Park every Friday from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm as well.

We hope you can join us!

Climate striking in Bracebridge

Recommended Read of the Week

Sustainable Severn Sound, seven area municipalities, one of which is Georgian Bay Township, has developed the area’s first Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP). View/Download PDF

Climate strikers Judy and David in front of Climate Action Muskoka banner in Bracebridge.

This is the closest municipal overview and plan in this region (correct me if I’m wrong on this, please!) and provides a good snapshot.

Sustainable Severn Sound says its objective is to educate communities and municipalities on climate change and ways we can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, the use of fossil fuels, lower our energy consumption, and adapt to our changing climate.

Inspirational Quote of the Week

“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
~ Martin Luther King Jr.

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Invitation to Participate in Climate Action Muskoka

CAM
Climate strikers in Bracebridge, January 2020

For Immediate Release
January 20, 2020

MUSKOKA — The group Climate Action Muskoka (CAM) is inviting everyone in Muskoka concerned about climate change to get involved.

Inspired by student climate demonstrators in Muskoka and worldwide this past September, CAM is an inclusive, non-partisan group of Muskoka-based citizens with a shared commitment to working together to face the climate crisis.

The group’s broad mandate is to provide community support and work with municipalities to build a more resilient community as Muskoka transitions to a post-carbon future. The group will hold its 18th weekly climate strike in Bracebridge this Friday to raise awareness of the urgency of the issue.

Earlier this month an informal steering committee of about 24 CAM participants held its second meeting to get more specific about what urgent climate action in Muskoka might look like.

Attendees at our January 12 meeting.
Attendees at our January meeting.

“The scope of this crisis can feel overwhelming, and it’s so easy to just tune it out or to worry in isolation,” said Sue McKenzie of Gravenhurst. “But having been at these climate strikes, and seeing the expertise and the momentum in the room at our meetings, it’s clear to me that there’s a whole lot we can do. It’s truly heartening.”

The group plans to approach the District of Muskoka and its six Towns and Townships to support the push for a Climate Emergency declaration. More than a symbolic gesture, a Climate Emergency declaration is a formal acknowledgement of the seriousness of the climate crisis. It includes a commitment by the community to invest in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and to prioritize community resiliency while doing so. As of October, more than 460 municipal, provincial, and territorial governments across Canada have declared a Climate Emergency.

The group has agreed to form sub-committees to set additional goals and plan actions in the following areas:

  • Waste
  • Transportation
  • Food Security
  • Building
  • Water
  • Communications
  • Developing presentations to area councils
  • Gathering community endorsements for the Climate Emergency declaration

If you are interested in working with the group in one or more of these areas or just want further information, please email us at: climateactionmuskoka@gmail.com. State in the subject line which
committee you are interested in.

CAM’s regular Fridays For Future climate strikes continue at Bracebridge Memorial Park from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm on Fridays. The group is expanding the weekly strikes to Gravenhurst starting this Friday, January 24th at the Post Office from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Other Muskoka communities are to follow.

Visit us online at www.climateactionmuskoka.org. We’re also on Facebook and Instagram @climateactionmuskoka.

-30-

Sue McKenzie | lensue@hotmail.com | 647-884-1531
Tamsen Tillson | tamsentillson@gmail.com | 705-645-5225

Weekly Climate Strikes begin in Gravenhurst

CAM
McKenzie, Sue and Len climate striking in Bracebridge.

Let’s do this! In addition to Bracebridge, we’re going to start weekly climate strikes in Gravenhurst, starting this Friday! #climatestrike #gravenhurst #climateactionmuskoka

Climate Action Muskoka is expanding its weekly Fridays For Future Climate Strikes (#FFF) to Gravenhurst starting this Friday, Jan 24th, 2020, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Post Office, located at the intersection of Muskoka Rd. N. and Bay Street.

Bring a sign if you can. If not, we can find you one. Come out and meet new friends who are as concerned as you! Bring a friend or family member! Sue and Len will be there every Friday from now on, same time, same location! If you want further info, please contact her directly. If you don’t have her email, reach her through us at climateactionmuskoka@gmail.com.

Please carpool if you can.

And if you’d like to start up another weekly climate strike in Muskoka, you can coordinate through us.

#actnow #strongertogether

Update, January 16, 2020

CAM
Group that gathered for January 12 meeting

This is a reminder that we are climate striking tomorrow, Friday January 17, 11:30am to 12:30pm at Memorial Park in Bracebridge. We hope you can join us! Dress warmly! #fridaysforfuture

Objectives & Sub-Committees, Oh My!

Group that gathered for January 12 meeting

Do we call ourselves a steering committee? A lot of expertise and passion in the room on January 12, as this group sat down to talk about the shape we’d like to see Climate Action Muskoka take. So much to do, and Muskoka, we know this community is up for the challenge. We’re creating sub-committees. We’re developing our short- and long-term objectives. We’re working toward weekly climate strikes in other Muskoka communities. United in our mission to work together to face climate change. Contact us for meeting notes. ❤️ ? #climateactionmuskoka. #drawdown #climateaction #resilience #recovery #Muskoka

Muskoka Drawdown — The Radio Show

Organizer Tamsen Tillson (speaking of myself in the third person) was approached by Jeff Carter of Hunters Bay Radio to put together a monthly 22-minute radio show about climate activism on behalf of Climate Action Muskoka.

We’re planning to call it Muskoka Drawdown. Based on the Project Drawdown premise and applying it to Muskoka, it will be a solutions-based exploration of what is being done, who is doing it and how we can all work together to reverse global warming in Muskoka.

I’ll be looking for lots of help! If you are on this mission personally and/or professionally, or you know of someone else who is, and especially if you have radio experience, please contact me. Launch date to be confirmed. Please stay tuned…

Recommended Read

How to Stop Freaking Out and Tackle Climate Change: A five-step plan to deal with the stress and become part of the solution. From the New York Times.

Remember: We Climate Strike Every Friday

Rome wasn’t built in a day. We climate strike at Memorial Park in Bracebridge every Friday from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. All are welcome. If you don’t have a sign, we’ll try to find you one. (If you’re making one, “Honk for Climate Action” has been very popular with passers-by!) Bring your family and friends. We hope to see you there!

Carpooling

If you live outside of Bracebridge, please consider carpooling. You can either post on the Climate Action Muskoka Facebook page, or email us at climateactionmuskoka@gmail.com and we’ll see about making some introductions.

Climate Strike Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Dorset….?

All it takes to start a weekly climate strike is for a few passionate people to agree to come together and, as Nike says, Just Do It. If you are from another town in Muskoka and would like to help organize and support a weekly climate strike closer to home, let’s talk! Again, Facebook or email, or heck, face-to-face any Friday.

Inspirational Quote of the Week

“What great thing would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?” ~Robert H. Schuller

Honk for hope!

CAM Update — January 9, 2020

CAM
Young climate striker in Bracebridge

Hi everyone, This is a reminder that we are climate striking tomorrow, Friday January 10, 11:30am to 12:30pm at Memorial Park in Bracebridge. We hope you can join us!

Carpooling

If you live outside of Bracebridge, please consider carpooling. You can either post on the Climate Action Muskoka Facebook group, or email us at climateactionmuskoka@gmail.com.

Climate Strike Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Dorset….?

All it takes to start a weekly climate strike is for a few passionate people to agree to come together and, as Nike says, Just Do It. If you are from another town in Muskoka and would like to help organize and support a weekly climate strike closer to home, let’s talk! Again, Facebook or email, or heck, face-to-face any Friday.

Recommended Read of the Week

Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming. This book is not about stopping global warming. It’s about reversing it.

Audacious, comprehensive and accessible, this explanation and ranking of the top 100 solutions to reverse climate change is a must-read. You can get it at the Bracebridge Library (though not at the moment as yours truly has it out). There is also a Drawdown website, which is up-to-date. (The book was published in 2017.)

Remember: We Climate Strike Every Friday

Rome wasn’t built in a day. We climate strike at Memorial Park in Bracebridge every Friday from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. All are welcome. If you don’t have a sign, we’ll try to find you one. (If you’re making one, “Honk for Climate Action” has been very popular with passers-by!) Bring your family and friends. We hope to see you there!

Inspirational Quote of the Week

“We convince with our presence.” – Walt Whitman

Young climate striker in Bracebridge

How November 29 Climate Strike in Muskoka Went

CAM
Climate strikers march up Manitoba Street in Bracebridge

Thank you to everyone who was able to come out to the Global—Muskoka—Climate Strike on Friday November 29 at Memorial Park in Bracebridge. Very moving speeches and music, including from 12-yo-activist Cailan Punnewaert, Aaron Rusak of the Muskoka Conservancy, BMLSS student organizer Kelsey Smith, plus an incredible original song by Bet Smith. Thank you to Tom Cowan for hosting and providing the inspiring playlist. (Lots of Spirit of the West…RIP John Mann!)

  • Bracebridge Town Councillor Andrew Struthers at climate strike November 29 in Muskoka
  • Signing petitions for November 29 climate strike in Muskoka
  • Crowd and stage at November 29 climate strike in Muskoka

We were so pleased that Bracebridge Town Councillor Andrew Struthers was able to attend and tell us a bit about some of the great things Muskoka Watershed Council has been doing to prepare for, adapt to and to fight climate change. We’re looking forward to speaking further and supporting that good work.

  • BMLSS student Kelsey Smith speaking at November 29 climate strike in Bracebridge
  • Bet Smith performing
  • Climate strikers march up Manitoba Street in Bracebridge

Regarding numbers: my count was between 60 and 70, though fewer did the actual march down and up Manitoba. More than that passed through and offered their support though, as the 109 additional signatures added to the provincial petition and 99 signatures on the federal petition indicates. (Climate Action Parry Sound, we’ll get those back to you.)

  • Mom, carriage and signs at November 29 climate strike in Bracebridge
  • A climate striker holds up a picture of Greta Thunberg
  • Snowmen saying Save Us: Sign from November 29 climate strike.

We are back to our regular climate strike routine, every Friday from 11:30 to 12:30 with one IMPORTANT CHANGE. Please note that we’re now meeting at MEMORIAL PARK in Bracebridge. See you tomorrow!