Climate change and the case for fossil fuel divestment

By Lenore Fahrig

Can fossil fuel divestment affect the forces that are driving climate change? What is behind the divestment movement? How does fossil fuel divestment compare to and connect with other actions aimed at stopping climate change? Should the City of Ottawa divest from fossil fuels? Is fossil fuel divestment even possible for Canadians and Canadian organizations?

Join the Environment Committee of the Glebe Community Association for a presentation and discussion about these issues and more, at 7:30 p.m. on June 11 at Ecclesiax Church, corner of Fifth Avenue and Monk Street.

 

Ottawa sidewalks covered in orange to mark trip hazards - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, May 29, 2015

You might be coloured confused by the amount of orange paint decorating Ottawa's sidewalks, but the man in charge of roads and sidewalks says that's due to stricter provincial rules on crack repairs. Workers are using orange spray paint to mark cracks on city sidewalks that have been deemed "trip hazards," according to Luc Gagné, the city's manager of roads services, via Ottawa sidewalks covered in orange to mark trip hazards - Ottawa - CBC News.

Computer glitches throw wrench in OC Transpo bus system
Ottawa Citizen

By Anais Volski, Ottawa Citizen, May 29, 2015

An as-yet unidentified computer bug continues to cause all sorts of scheduling and operational problems for OC Transpo buses, the service said Friday. The glitches began early Friday and travellers have been advised to expect delays of up to 15-20 minutes as operations such as dispatching are handled “manually.” via Computer glitches throw wrench in OC Transpo bus system | Ottawa Citizen.

O’Connor Street bikeway up for discussion
Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, May 29, 2015

Nearly four years after the opening of a segregated bike lane on Laurier Avenue West created an east-west cycling spine through the downtown core, the city is moving ahead with plans to create a similar north-south route between Parliament Hill and Lansdowne Park. “That’s going to make a big difference for cyclists in the city,” said Alex deVries of the advocacy group Citizens for Safe Cycling. via O’Connor Street bikeway up for discussion | Ottawa Citizen.

Around Town: Riverkeeper Gala an island paradise
Ottawa Citizen

By Caroline Phillips, Ottawa Citizen, May 28, 2015

An empty, dilapidated old building, previously locked up and littered with trash, was turned into a stunning party palace for the third annual Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, held Wednesday night on the Ottawa River’s Albert Island. The former industrial site, which is to eventually become a vibrant and sustainable urban waterfront community, saw 350 guests soak in scenic views while surrounded by great music, food, drinks and decor. Evan Solomon, host of CBC TV’s Power & Politics, was back to head the organizing committee as it pulled off another sell-out event. via Around Town: Riverkeeper Gala an island paradise | Ottawa Citizen.

Release the swans! Royal birds set free on the Rideau
Ottawa Citizen

By Blair Crawford, Ottawa Citizen, May 28, 2015

The long winter is over for Ottawa’s 11 Royal swans, who were released Thursday for their annual summer fun and frolic on the Rideau River. The spring tradition dates back 47 years. The white mute swans are direct descendants of swans given to Ottawa by the Queen in 1967 to mark Canada’s centennial year, while the dark Australian black swans are descendants from a pair obtained in 1974. via Release the swans! Royal birds set free on the Rideau | Ottawa Citizen.

Hazmat team treats shoppers hit by fumes at Giant Tiger
Ottawa Citizen

By Meghan Hurley, Ottawa Citizen, May 28, 2015

Paramedics said a number of shoppers at the ByWard Market Giant Tiger were assessed but didn’t need further medical treatment after bleach-like fumes surfaced at the store Thursday. Firefighters later ventilated the building at 98 George St. and used air monitoring equipment to make sure it was safe. via Hazmat team treats shoppers hit by fumes at Giant Tiger | Ottawa Citizen.

Eels’ recovery slowed by their own genes
Ottawa Citizen

By Tom Spears, Ottawa Citizen, May 28, 2015

Once kings of the Ottawa and St. Lawrence Rivers, eels have nearly disappeared here. Now a Canadian study says their genes are one reason why it’s hard to help them recover. Eels are hatched in the Atlantic Ocean but travel far inland, then return to the Atlantic to breed years later. Dams, turbines and other obstacles block their migration. via Eels’ recovery slowed by their own genes | Ottawa Citizen.

Denley: Ottawa has a water problem of its own making
Ottawa Citizen

By Randall Denley, Ottawa Citizen, May 27, 2015

City of Ottawa councillors and staff want to change the way we pay for water and sewers, but they are still exhibiting the same fuzzy thinking that got the city into trouble in the first place. The issue is that the city’s water and sewer rates don’t bring in enough money to cover the cost of operating and repairing the system. There was a $22-million shortfall in revenue last year, almost seven per cent of the budget. Over the last three years, the cumulative shortfall is more than $36 million. That has forced the city to cut back some repairs and borrow to complete others. via Denley: Ottawa has a water problem of its own making | Ottawa Citizen.
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