To address the climate emergency and improve resiliency, local communities need to be engaged in developing solutions that serve community priorities. Residents are key actors in shaping their communities, and environmental initiatives and policies are made better with their contributions.
That’s why the Toronto Environmental Alliance launched the Accelerating Climate Action Through Community Hubs initiative: to build on the incredible work being done by community hubs and local residents and catalyze neighbourhood-level climate action.
What is a community hub?Community hubs are inclusive and trusted place-based or virtual spaces, which leverage local networks, respond to neighbourhood priorities, support the actions of residents, and grow grassroots leadership in order to build strong, resilient, and connected communities. |
For the last two years, we’ve partnered with community hubs in Parkdale (Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre) and Bathurst-Finch (the Unison Bathurst-Finch Hub). Together, we launched initiatives to explore green energy opportunities, develop a climate leadership training program, facilitate community conversation on climate justice and intersecting community priorities, and support community-based emergency response.
These initiatives have helped build knowledge on climate change, increased residents’ capacity to lead climate initiatives, and have supported new climate projects in hubs and the surrounding community.
In these case studies, we hope to share some of what we accomplished together, the lessons we learned, and blueprints for creating similar initiatives. Learn more about community hubs and climate action here.
Download the case studies:
- Climate Ambassador Training | TEA & Bathurst-Finch Unison Hub | Download the PDF.
- Climate Justice Circles | TEA & Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre | Download the PDF.
- Solar-powered Community Hubs | TEA & Bathurst-Finch Unison Hub | Download the PDF.
- Mutual Aid Network | TEA & Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre | Download the PDF.
Who are these case studies for?These case studies can be used by environmental organizations, community hubs, social service organizations, neighbourhood groups, and others who are interested in greening community spaces, building resident climate knowledge and leadership, supporting neighbourhood climate and social justice initiatives. |
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:
Thank you to our funders, The Atmospheric Fund and Ontario Trillium Foundation.
