After a year of listening, sharing, connecting and communicating, the Ottawa Climate Equity Initiative is out with its final report! This project was funded in part by the Government of Canada and was led by the Ottawa Climate Action Fund (an initiative of the Ottawa Community Foundation) in partnership with Ecology Ottawa. The project built essential links between local groups engaged with the climate emergency and social equity organizations to foster connections outside traditional climate circles. The report highlights the tremendous work accomplished by our partners through this inter-sectoral collaboration.
Too often, the environmental movement feels closed off to racialized and low- income communities, or those facing disabilities or other forms of marginalization. This occurs despite the knowledge that these communities often face the worst impacts of the climate crisis. By creating spaces for open communication,, “we’ve identified common areas of interest, like green jobs and affordable housing in walkable, 15-minute neighbourhoods,” says Steve Winkelman, executive director of OCAF.“ And we now know each other well enough to pick up the phone to share an idea, offer support, ask an (embarrassing) question, pursue opportunities and co-create success.”