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TB OPINION: DOWN TO EARTH ONTARIO’S CHOICE: LIVABLE FUTURE OR A SLIPPERY SLOPE TO CLIMATE CATASTROPHE? DOWN TO EARTH ON EARTH DAY WE ARE AT A CLIMATE CROSSROADS, WRITES ONTARIO GREEN PARTY LEADER AND GUELPH MPP MIKE SCHREINER The choice infront of us is a massive o one. a livable futures or a re ay slope to climate catastrophe? Just last month, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change deliv- ered yet another crystal- clear warning: any new MIKE SCHREINER: Column fossil fuel developments are utterly incompatible with the net zero emis- sions required for a safe, Lvablef future. We need honest, ambi- tious climate action now. But unfortunately, On- tario has a premier who is still investing in expensive fossil gas plants, paving over wetlands and farm- lands, and climate pollution with ex- pensive urban sprawl. We can't let this be our stams ae ally when we have. vlenty of affordable solutions that can crush pollution, create jobs a help people save money by saving energy — enabling us to take neces- sary action while also making life more afford- able for everyone. In Ontario, we can cre- ate hundreds of thousands of jobs retrofitting our buildings, in: EVs and heat pumps, and creating low-carbon prod- ucts and technologies. We can finally listen to housing experts, who are overwhelmingly clear that we can build connected, af- fordable communities within existing urban boundaries — not on the Greenbelt. We can strengthen pro- tections for the places we love, the ecological sys- tems we need, and the food and water resources that sustain us. We can expand the Greenbelt by adding anew Bluebelt that protects our supply of clean water. And wecan help munic- ipalities expand and re- store their infrastructure to be more resilient in the faceo of extreme weather. imate crisis has given ‘is: a opportunity to embrace a future where we take care of each other and the planet. But we must act on these solutions now, not five years from now, ant certainly not decades into the future So this ‘Earth Day, let's make choices that build a stronger, safer, more af- fordable tomorrow. Choices like supporting green innovation that leads to new businesses, careers and better jobs, and that makes it more costly for: industries to Pol. 3 lute and profitable — for them ‘o. ‘embrace cle Z mate-friendly —_alterna- g tives. £ like covering > 228 OINHEO | € Choices workers so that we are pre- § pared to launch a massive 8 green workforce. And choices like giving people and communities the tools they need to thrive — tools like livable wages fordable housing, and access to comprehen- sive health care and men- tal health care. The path to a climate- ready future is not easy, but it is clear. It's time to roll up our sleeves and get to work. Mike Schreiner is the leader of the Ontario Green Party, MPP for Guelph and a member of Torstar's Guelph and Erin Advisory Council. *TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY 7100 IN REBATES* {Carrier Turn to the experts HEATING & COOLING A 905-849-4996 ‘www.aireonewest.ca Peter Watson. MBA, CFP, CIM, RFP, FCSI MBA, CFP, CIM Watson Investments m info@watsoninvestments.com BOOK A MEETING Watson Investments can help you. to learn more about how (905) 842-2100 woo-uoyeyepIsu!