Region celebrates Earth Day with launch of digital tools to support engagement on climate action

Whitby, Ontario – Today (April 22) is Earth Day in Durham Region and around the world. As the threat of the climate crisis increases, each Earth Day provides an opportunity to reflect on our progress and reconfirm our commitment to taking action at the local and regional level to address this global challenge.

This Earth Day, Durham Region is proud to announce the launch of two online initiatives, the Durham Climate Dashboard and the Durham Climate and Sustainability News page.

The new online Durham Climate Dashboard provides residents with an opportunity to track progress of the Region and area municipalities in advancing the implementation of climate action and responding to direction set out in Regional Council’s climate emergency declaration. By incorporating data from various community sources, the dashboard is a comprehensive snapshot of efforts to advance climate action in Durham It serves as an educational resource, helping to demonstrate the importance of collective efforts to reduce energy use and associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Residents can actively engage with the Durham Climate Dashboard by exploring different climate action initiatives happening across the region, and visually track the impact of these initiatives, focusing on key areas such as energy efficient buildings, sustainable transportation, and the adoption of renewable energy. Visit durham.ca/ClimateDashboard to explore the Durham Climate Dashboard.

The Durham Climate and Sustainability News page is a new way for residents to stay up-to-date on all the latest Durham Region sustainability news, projects and initiatives. New articles will be added year-round, and residents are encouraged to become a subscriber to the page online at durham.ca/DurhamClimateNews. It’s free to sign up, and subscribers are notified when new content is added.

Quotes:

“The Region is excited to announce the launch of the Durham Climate Dashboard and Durham Climate and Sustainability News page. These two new initiatives embody our vision of being transparent and accountable to the public regarding our progress towards becoming a low carbon, climate resilient Region.”
John Henry, Regional Chair and CEO, Region of Durham

“We want to empower Durham residents to actively engage with climate action progress happening throughout the Region. The Durham Climate and Sustainability News page and Durham Climate Dashboard both offer new ways for residents to learn, engage and interact with Durham Region’s sustainability efforts. The news page is an exciting new way for residents to stay up to date on all of the latest Durham Region sustainability news, projects and initiatives, and to ensure sustainability is open and accessible. The dashboard is a dynamic, interactive, and user-friendly tool that offers residents a clear, visual representation of our progress towards a sustainable future.”
Sandra Austin, Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives

Quick facts:  

• Since declaring a climate emergency on January 29, 2020, Durham Region has taken important steps to accelerate the transition towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient community.
• The Durham Community Energy Plan identifies programs that will allow Durham to reach its long-term greenhouse gas emissions reduction target to ensure that Durham is working towards a more vibrant and prosperous future.
• The new Durham Climate Dashboard and Durham Climate and Sustainability News page are tools for community members to keep track of our collective progress towards a low carbon and climate resilient Region.

– 30 –

For media inquiries, please contact Corporate Communications.