Meanwhile Environment Canada predicts the rest of our summer will be long, hot, and dry and with the changing weather year over year – the conversation around protecting and enhancing Toronto’s urban tree canopy is more relevant than ever.
Working at Project Neutral, I understand the incredible value that trees bring to cities. So I was delighted to welcome Jessica and Amanda from LEAF to our neighbourhood workshops in May, where they reached out to residents in both the Junction and Riverdale to talk about what steps can be taken to enhance the tree canopy in our own backyards and our communities. Many people turned up to listen, learn, and ask questions about varied topics from the emerald ash borer to the link between trees and safer communities.
At Project Neutral we enable neighbourhoods to take action at the individual and community levels, transitioning away from high levels of greenhouse gas emissions toward net carbon neutrality. One of our key services is a household carbon footprint survey that measures the occupant’s use and consumption of energy, water, transportation, and high-impact foods (those that require high-carbon inputs to produce and/or transport). To capture carbon positive actions, we ask people completing the survey to specify the width of their tree canopy, looking at individual trees on their property.
Naturally, we’re excited to learn about LEAF’s brand new Ontario Residential Tree Benefits Estimator, a valuable resource and educational tool for individuals and environmental advocacy organizations across the province.
Awareness is growing in our neighbourhoods. We know the urban tree canopy has an important role in helping us mitigate the effects of, and adapt to a changing climate. One example is the work by our friends at the Withrow Park Tree Care in Riverdale. They recently planted 100 new trees in the neighbourhood park and are now getting local residents actively engaged in urban forest stewardship by coordinating their care among volunteers in the area. On our end we’re starting to investigate the potential of local carbon offset projects in our neighbourhoods, which could include planting trees as a means of sequestering carbon.
Of course planting is not just a practical way of responding to climate change. Trees are also highly desirable in their own right. They draw neighbours together, create healthier, more aesthetically pleasing surroundings, and revive our ever-tenuous connection to nature. So the next time there’s an extreme heat advisory in Toronto, consider relaxing under the shade of a favourite tree – that’s likely where you’ll find me!
Jonathan is the Coordinator for Project Neutral, a grassroots, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to transforming neighbourhoods towards carbon neutrality. To learn more or get involved you can email jonathan [at] projectneutral.org or call 647.799.4009.