Meeting the Challenge: A Mississauga Climate Action Toolkit
As part of our ongoing delivery of virtual events, we’ve presented a number of webinars meant to inspire local action on climate change. These webinars were made possible by a grant from Climate Impact. Climate Impact’s stated mission is “to fund local climate education and action initiatives to empower citizens to combat and adapt to climate change to embrace a sustainable future.”
We want to thank Climate Impact for their ongoing support of The Riverwood Conservancy, and giving us the ability to present this important series of webinars, along with the list of resources below. You can watch all of the Meeting the Challenge webinars, and find resources and speaker information related to each webinar, below.
If you attended or watched any of our Climate Impact-supported webinars we’d love your feedback, which you can provide in our viewer feedback survey.
Webinar Playlist
Healing with Nature
Climate Change and COVID-19 are unprecedented challenges facing our planet and are taking a toll on individual mental health. In this webinar learn how to reconnect with nature through connections between nature, mindfulness, and hope for the future. Climate Impact supported two on-site programs at Riverwood following this webinar to give participants the chance to connect with the land in a more personalized way.
Speakers
Stephanie Keeler, Community Program Coordinator, The Riverwood Conservancy
Julianna Alaimo, Placement Student, Peel Psychology and Therapy Centre
Bansi Javiya, Intake Associate, Peel Psychology and Therapy Centre
Arushi Singh, Intake Associate, Peel Psychology and Therapy Centre
Resources
– A Room with a Green View: The Importance of Nearby Nature for Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic
– Nature and Mental Health: An Ecosystem Service Perspective
– 40 Ways to Help Wildlife in your Backyard
– 10 Ways to Reconnect with Nature During a Pandemic
– Bring Nature Indoors
– Sierra Club BC Sit Spot Activity
– Keeping a Nature Journal
Greening Your Portfolio
Learn how to align your investments with your environmental values and prevent your money from supporting companies that exacerbate climate change. Gain a better understanding of how low-carbon investing can help the planet while also solidifying your financial future.
Speaker
Carol Smith, Financial Advisor, Desjardins Financial Security Independent Network
Resources
– Investing in the Fight Against Climate Change
– Climate Change Fact Sheet for Investors
– Supply Chain Fact Sheet for Investors
– Impact Investment Fact Sheet for Investors
– Global Food Security Fact Sheet for Investors
– Investing for Change: Profit from Responsible Investment
– Our Planet: Too Big to Fail
Green and Resilient Homes
Learn how to invest in green home improvements, save on utilities, and ensure your home is prepared to withstand the worst effects of climate change. We hear from an expert in green home energy consultations, and experiences from a green homeowner.
Speakers
Chelsea Dalton, Acting Sustainability Manager, University of Toronto Mississauga – Sustainability Office
Stephen Magneron, Lead Energy Consultant, Homesol Building Solutions Inc.
Resources
– Canadian Association of Consulting Energy Advisors
– Sustainability – It Doesn't Cost the Earth
– 12 Small Changes to make your Home More Eco-Friendly
– Planning & Designing Sustainable Green Homes
Food, Climate, and You
Learn how you can make a difference in combatting climate change through the foods you eat and reducing food waste and get to know local organizations in Mississauga that promote sustainable food systems.
Speakers
Colin Cotton, Aquaponics Farm Supervisor, The Mississauga Food Bank
Deanna Hove, Food to Table Coordinator, Ecosource
Resources
– Map of Peel Community Gardens
– Local Food – Ecosource
– Aqua Grow Farms – Canada's First Aquaponic Food Bank
– Reclaim Fresh: Food Rescue Program – The Mississauga Food Bank
– Environmental Impacts of Food Production
– Plant-based Diet can Fight Climate Change
Greening Our Community
We explore the field of green infrastructure and look at the fiscal and environmental benefits of community investment in green projects.
Speaker
Kyle Menken, Technician – Integrated Water, Credit Valley Conservation
Resources
– Bioretention and Rain Gardens
– Green Roofs
– Soakaways, Infiltration Trenches and Chambers
– Green Infrastructure Ontario Coalition
– Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program
– Green Infrastructure is Making an Impact in the Region of Peel
– GreenBelt: A Green Infrastructure Guide for Small Cities, Towns and Rural Communities
Getting Around Green
We explore the roles of transit, bikes, and e-vehicles in Mississauga. A panel of local experts from MiWay and the University of Toronto Mississauga joins us to share their thoughts and answer questions from our webinar audience.
Speakers
Patricia Runzer, DTM Team Leader & Community Outreach, MiWay City of Mississauga
Chelsea Dalton, Acting Sustainability Manager, University of Toronto Mississauga – Sustainability Office
Resources
– MiWay Furthers the City's Commitment to Climate Change with First-Ever 60 Foot Hybrid-Electric Buses in Ontario
– New Hybrid Electric Bus
– Plan a Trip Using Public Transit
– How to use E-scooters and Bikes with Miway
– Mississauga Cycling Map
– UTM BikeShare & Rentals
Climate Victory Gardens
Your yard can help us win the fight against climate change. In this webinar we’ll provide an overview of rain gardens, pollinator gardens, food gardens, and how you can start them.
Speaker
Jeanne McRight, President, Blooming Boulevards
Resources
– Climate Victory Gardens
– Can Climate Victory Gardens Help Solves the Climate Crisis?
– Thousands of People are Growing 'Climate Victory Gardens' to Save the Planet
– Making a Difference: Climate Victory Gardens
– Reclaiming Victory Gardens from our Racist History
– Urban Harvest vegetable seeds
– Seeds of Diversity vegetable seeds
– Wildflower Farm native plant seeds
– North American Native Plant Society native plant seeds
