News:

Environment Hamilton Launches Climate Change Project
Ward One neighbourhoods to benefit

By Citizens at City Hall
February 28, 2005

The federal government has provided $19,560 for a climate change program in Hamilton to encourage residents to reduce their personal greenhouse gas emissions and reward them with trees. “Tonnes for Trees” was launched yesterday at City Hall by Environment Hamilton.

On hand for the launch of EH's climate change project were (L to R) Brian McHattie, councillor for Ward One, MP Dave Christopherson and MP Russ Powers. Also present, but not in photo was Chris Phillips, the special policy advisor to Minister Tony Valeri.

Residents can go to a calculator on the group's website and register their commitments to reduce the pollutants that cause global climate change. Each tonne of reductions will earn two free trees – one for their backyard and one for the community – Kirkendall, Westdale or Strathcona neighbourhood.

In handing over the cheque on behalf of Environment Canada, MP Russ Powers noted that “unless we make a significant impact on climate change, we're going to lose the maple trees in southern Ontario”. The launch was also attended by MP Dave Christopherson and councillor Brian McHattie, as well as Chris Phillips, the special policy advisor to Minister Tony Valeri.

Christopherson pointed to the health benefits of reducing air pollution. “At the end of the day, that is what this is about – making sure that our children, and our grandchildren and our great grandchildren have clean air to breathe – cleaner than what we have. Is that much to ask of society that we conduct our business in such a way that future generations don't choke on the air they breathe?”

McHattie noted that the project calculator has recorded over 40 tonnes of reductions in the first two days of operation and said he was “in the process of finding extra trees for the program”. The first 100 trees for the program are subsidized by the city through Clean Air Hamilton and Green Venture.

The project is also supported by the Hamilton Community Foundation and the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The calculator can be accessed at http://www.environmenthamilton.org/tonnes/index.htm.