The Case To Become A Member
By Gord Ball – Special to SUNonline/Orillia
Perhaps our small community can’t change the world, but we can show how the change can be done. And maybe – just maybe – our children and grandchildren will inherit a stronger, more resilient, more sustainable place to live.
Sustainable Orillia (SO) has plans to grow from a local organization into a local movement. This will happen with the support of people who share a commitment to making our community more sustainable for the long-term.
The COVID crisis enabled SO to reflect on what’s most important to us in Orillia. Certainly our health, the health of our city and of our planet, must be near the top of any list. It is becoming increasingly apparent how much our economic and social success depends upon the ability of nature to provide for us. Climate scientists, medical professionals and political leaders are calling for a public mobilization and inspired action to confront the climate crisis.
Sustainable Orillia is a network of citizens whose mission is to engage the community in actions that build more rewarding and healthy lives for the people of Orillia and area. SO wants to make Orillia a city our grandchildren’s grandchildren will be proud of and enjoy.
Membership in SO is open to anyone who believes we must meet our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
SO members want to see our area become a community that:
- travels many fewer kilometres in fossil-fueled vehicles, and many more kilometres by foot, bicycle and public transit,
- boasts many more electric vehicles and charging stations,
- substantially expands renewable energy sources,
- builds and retrofits energy-efficient, low-carbon houses and other buildings that are much, much better at separating heat and cold,
- ensures everyone is permanently housed, local food production is increased, and jobs are created,
- shifts financial investments away from fossil fuels towards greener choices that do not put nature further in debt,
- ensures access to clean water and clean air for all,
- adds more plant-based sources of protein to our diets,
- plants more trees and pollinator gardens, and grows food in our own or in community gardens,
- protects our lakes from damaging storm-water run-off, excessive nutrients, toxic substance, and invasive species,
- phases out single-use plastic and reduces food waste,
- knows that the true measure of wealth is our health – both personal and planetary,
- acknowledges and celebrates the positive contribution every Orillia citizen can make to our collective health and well-being,
- recognizes that Indigenous wisdom and voices are essential to moving forward, and that actions lifting up these voices are climate actions.
Any area resident is welcome to become an SO member. Of course, donations are welcome, but there’s no membership fee. Members will receive newsletters, updates, and notices of Annual Members Meetings and events.
Become a member of Sustainable Orillia today and join in making our community a better place to live. Help make Orillia a model community for others to see, and imitate.
You can join SO’s growing movement online,
(Images Supplied) Main: Sustainable Orillia art by Tristan Sanabria.
