2021 Events:
Who’s Growing Urban Agriculture? | Watch Here
In 2017, the City of London, Evergreen, and the Urban Agriculture Steering Committee collaborated on an Urban Agriculture Strategy to develop a community-driven and municipality-supported plan to increase effective urban agriculture activities in the city. In this Green in the City session, we will learn about some amazing examples of local programs and projects that are contributing to urban agriculture, food security, and food sovereignty in London, including speakers from the Middlesex London Food Policy Council, Xúwii Shoopéekal Enterprises, The Wormery at the Western Fair District, and the London Food Bank. Each of these speakers will share their story as well as ways that you can support them and get involved!
How Can I Be a More Sustainable Consumer? | Watch Here
With climate change affecting livelihoods around the world, it has never been more important to shift our consumption patterns to reduce our carbon emissions. Many people have adopted the “think global, act local” strategy to make choices that support local economic development, social well-being, and the health of the planet instead of economic practices that are extractive for the planet and its people. So what does this look like exactly? It can look like borrowing household items with your neighbours, shopping at local businesses and markets instead of large international corporations, repairing the things you have to make them last longer, and more! We are excited to hear from some wonderful speakers that are leading the way in sustainable consumption and production here in London, including the Fix-it & Repair Faire, Goodwill Industries, Buy Nothing Group (Woodfield), and Tepperman’s. No matter your experience level - all are welcome and needed to participate in sustainable consumption, so join us for this lively session!
What is a Circular Economy in Action? | Watch Here
A circular economy is a production system where resources are used intentionally. They are reused, repurposed, and recycled rather than thrown away after use - creating a closed loop with no waste and can even give back to the land it came from. It sounds like a lofty and dreamy goal, doesn’t it? Well, you might be surprised to learn that several examples of a circular economy are right here in London! Learn more from speakers from TRY Recycling and On the Move Organics/London Brewing Co-op, as well as perspectives from the Fanshawe Fashion Design Program and Indigenous photographer Bangishimo Johnston about how we can transition away from a linear to a circular economy, and how you can support these values too!
Who’s Practicing Water Stewardship? | Watch Here
Freshwater is essential for life on this planet. Yet freshwater is a finite resource, and one that is depleting around the world due to climate change, pollution, and development. In Southwestern Ontario, many of us benefit from access to the world’s largest source of freshwater, the Great Lakes. However, freshwater access is not equal across Canada and there are currently over 70 drinking water advisories affecting First Nations communities, according to the Government of Canada (link). If we care about just and equal access to freshwater resources, currently and in the future, we must manage freshwater usage and protect freshwater bodies. Everyone has a role to play in water stewardship, and in this session we will hear perspectives from the City of London, Trojan Technologies, and Canadian Freshwater Alliance who are demonstrating water stewardship across London! We will also hear from the Oneida and Chippewas of the Thames First Nations about their nation’s history and relationship with water protection and stewardship.
Why Do We Need Sustainable Building Retrofits? | Watch Here
Did you know that residential and commercial buildings contribute to a combined 1,000,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year in London? Heating and cooling buildings is a huge source of local emissions - especially when these buildings have outdated, inefficient, and fossil-fuel reliant heating and cooling systems. In order to meet climate action targets of net-zero emissions by 2050, buildings across London need to be retrofitted to improve energy efficiency, switch to renewable energy, and decrease overall energy demand. The good news is that there are several local examples of sustainable buildings and retrofits that are leading the way for a greener future! In this session, we will learn about green buildings from 100 Kellogg Lane, ReForest London, Mohawk Seedkeepers School, and Fanshawe College. We will learn about earthships, geothermal energy, building design, and more! This is a great opportunity to ask your questions about green buildings and retrofits to individuals that have firsthand experience planning and executing a sustainable building retrofit.
How Can I Support Climate Resilience? | Watch Here
Climate resilience is defined as the ability to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to hazardous events, trends, or disturbances related to climate. With climate change happening now, it has never been more important to understand its global and local impacts. In the series finale, we will learn about science-policy interactions and examples of climate change impacts and resilience across Canada and several First Nations communities from Dr. Gordon McBean. Dr. Gordon McBean is the Co-Director of the Centre for Environment and Sustainability and Professor in the Department of Geography at Western University and president-elect of the International Council for Science. We will also learn how we can support climate resilience locally by getting involved with the City of London’s Climate Emergency Action Plan. We will hear from Jay Stanford (Director of Climate Change, Environment & Waste Management at the City of London) about the City’s action plan and how we, as a London community, will meet the local net-zero by 2050 target.
The Future of Masonville – Planning for Sustainable Growth | Watch here.
Learn more about the future growth and plans for the Masonville area in London, ON in this panel discussion! The draft of the Masonville Secondary Plan was presented in March of this year to the Planning and Environment Committee and London Municipal Council to start community consultation. Read the plan here: https://getinvolved.london.ca/masonville1 and join this special Green in the City session to hear about what's planned for Masonville and find out how your voice can be heard as this plan develops.
Ontario's First Neighbourhood Powered by the Sun: West 5 | Watch here.
Buildings that target net zero energy. Solar parkades, streetlights, and art installations. You may have noticed Sifton's West 5 development in London's west end. Here's your chance to learn more and ask questions about this future-minded community. Stay tuned for the recording.
Hope Matters: Tackling Eco-Anxiety and Inspiring Climate Action | Watch here.
Whether you're experiencing climate anxiety or want to feel inspired, we invite you to learn about your role in creating a better future. In this event, we will be hearing from author and speaker Dr. Elin Kelsey (author of Hope Matters: Why Changing the Way We Think Is Critical to Solving the Environmental Crisis) as well as local youth councillor Rimsha Ashraf from Young London. This event is opened by poet and spoken word artist, Sunday Ajak, with support from the London Arts Council.
Climate Engagement Tools - Just a Click Away | Watch here.
In this workshop, we'll learn about the online tools available for you to take climate action from home! This workshop features an overview of online climate engagement tools provided by City of London staff, a walk-through of Project Neutral, an online platform to calculate your household's carbon footprint in five minutes, a crash-course from the London Environmental Network on how to get involved in London's environmental sector, and an overview of the eDemocracy Climate Plan Simulator. Plus, this event is opened by local artist and musician DJ Kevin Evans, supported by the London Arts Live program.
Connecting Global Climate Change to Local Impacts and Solutions | Watch here.
In this event, we will hear from Dr. Katharine Hayhoe about connecting global climate change to local impacts and solutions. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about climate change impacts and how London communities can mitigate and adapt to climate change for a green and resilient future.
Developing London's Green Bin Program | Watch here.
In this event, City of London staff present an overview on what a Green Bin program might look like in London as the City collects feedback this winter through getinvolved.london.ca/greenbin. The City wants to learn about how you would use a Green Bin, and hear your thoughts on what should go in the Green Bin and what container size you would use. You will also hear about Green Bin experiences from municipal staff in the Region of Waterloo and City of Hamilton.
Click here to watch the Green in the City 2021 playlist on YouTube.
2020 Events:
Tackling Food Waste | Watch here.
Explore how like-minded cities are creating a circular economy and eliminating food waste, London's food waste reduction efforts, and how you can make some simple changes in your life to reduce food waste.
Making Sustainable Transportation Choices | Watch here. 
Learn how public transit systems, Transportation Demand Management strategies, and cycling can empower you and create a sustainable city and healthier environment for all.
Urban Agriculture in Your Backyard & Community | Watch here. 
Listen to three different perspectives about how the urban agriculture movement is growing, and how you can become a part of it in London.
City Symposium on Responsible Consumption & Production | Watch here.
Inspired by Sustainable Development Goal #15, we ask four brilliant people, what would responsible consumption and production look like in London?
COVID-19 and a Green Economic Recovery | Watch here. 
In our series finale, we explore what strategies, partnerships, and projects should be implemented for a green economic recovery in London. We hear from four regional and local speakers that share our vision for a green and resilient future, and learn from their diverse approaches on how to get there through collaborative action.
Click here to watch the Green in the City 2020 playlist on Youtube.
