TEA urges the City to put climate change in the City Budget

TEA urges the City's budget subcommittee to include money for climate change preparedness in the 2015 City Budget.  In January, TEA's Executive Director speaks at a community forum on the 2015 City Budget. In February, TEA deputes in front of the Budget Subcommittee to highlight the costs of inaction on climate change and preparing for severe weather. 

TEA puts climate change and severe weather on the agenda for the municipal election

In the 2014 municipal election, TEA engages city council and mayoral candidates on environmental issues including climate change and severe weather. As a part of the Green Action Agenda, TEA lays out concrete actions council should take to prepare for climate change. TEA creates a survey for candidates and holds a mayoral debate on the Green Action Agenda. 

January: TEA in the Toronto Star: Lessons to learn from the flood and ice storm

After the ice storm crisis, the Toronto Star publishes an online editorial by TEA Executive Director, Franz Hartmann on what City Council should do to prepare for more severe weather events that climate change will bring. 

Severe flood and ice storm hits Toronto

In July, a severe flood hits Toronto and causes over $800 million in damage. CBC Metro Morning interviews TEA about the link between this severe flood and climate change. 

In December of 2013, Toronto is hit with a devastating ice storm, causing more damage to Toronto and leaving over 300 000 people without power. 

City Committee takes action on climate change report

In January, Toronto's Parks & Environment Committee considers the Toronto's Future Climate report. TEA urges the Committee and City Council to move quickly and act on the report's findings. 

Fortunately, the Committee took the report seriously and requested an update on Toronto's Climate Change Strategy, as well as an Adaptation Toolkit to ensure City decisions plan for future severe weather!

TEA victory! City Council adopts TEA's recommendations on climate change

On January 9, TEA writes a briefing note for a special Council meeting with recommendations about what City Hall can do to prepare for climate change.

On January 13, TEA recommendations are adopted by City Council! (See Sections 5 L and Z of Impacts from the December 2013 Extreme Winter Storm Event on the City of Toronto, City Council Decision)

TEA rings the alarm bells on city climate change report

In November 2012, the City of Toronto releases a new report: Toronto's Future Weather & Climate. The report predicts some severe and alarming weather patterns for Toronto by the year 2040, based on current global warming trends. 

TEA rings the alarm bells, showing that Toronto's infrastructure is not prepared for climate change.