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History of EarthWise Thunder Bay
In March 2004, ZWATeam members formed a Steering Committee to garner political and public support for the development and implementation of a comprehensive, integrated community environmental action plan to ensure Thunder Bay is a healthy, sustainable community in the long-term. On May 3, 2004 City Council unanimously approved the development of the plan, which would also serve as Milestone #3 of the Municipality's 2003 commitment to implement the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Partners for Climate Protection Five Milestones to achieve targeted greenhouse gas emission reductions. Council directed that the Manager of the Environment and a City Councillor would represent the City on the Steering Committee. The City hired a CEAP Co-ordinator who applied for FCM Matching Green Dollars for the Plan and related activities. Mayor Peterson signed the EarthWise Declaration of Commitment at the launch of the EarthWise Thunder Bay Community Partnership at Waverley Library on April 26, 2005. David Suzuki was invited to speak at the public launch of the EarthWise Community Partnership on June e, 2005.
A community energy audit was completed by ICLEI in 2007. (Milestone #1) The Municipality targeted a 35% reduction in Municipal GHG emissions below 2005 by 2017 and 10% reduction in Community GHG emissions below 2005 levels iby 2017. (Milestone #2) FCM Ten Working Groups were formed to address community issues including energy, green buildings, planning, waste, air, water, active transportation, pesticides, food security and education. Working Group's draft recommendations for action were presented to the public for input between January and March of 2008.
In October, 2008 City Council unanimously approved the EarthWise Community Environmental Action Plan. (Milestone #3) An EarthWise Advisory Committee (EWAC) was formed to make recommendations to assist Council in overseeing the implementation of the CEAP. Partners for Climate Protection Partners committed to integrating their Climate Change Action Plans into their operations and official documents and actively engaging Community Partners and stakeholders in the sustained implementation of the Five Milestones.The City of Thunder Bay and more than 60 EarthWise Community Partners at the highest signing authority level have signed a Declaration of Commitment to work together on the sustained implementation of the EarthWise CEAP. (Milestone #4) A process will be implemented to measure progress. (Milestone #5)
View the EarthWise CEAP http://www.thunderbay.ca/Living/Environment/EarthWise_Thunder_Bay.htm