LCF Launches 2022 Vital Signs Report: Be The Change
LCF Launches 2022 Vital Signs Report: Be The Change
New focus on environment highlights urgency to protect our planet
Today, London Community Foundation launched its 2022 Vital Signs Report, Be the Change. A pulse check on the state of our community, this year’s report includes a renewed focus on the environment, challenging LCF and citizens of London and Middlesex to embrace sustainability and take action to make ours a greener community.
The report launched with an online event and panel discussion moderated by Mary Ann Colihan, member of LCF’s Vital Signs Committee and the Society of Environmental Journalists. The panel featured local environmental thought leaders Dr. Franco Berruti, Professor of Chemical Engineering, Western University; Nicole Karsch, Greener Homes London Manager, London Environmental Network; and Teresa Hollingsworth, Manager of Community and Corporate Services, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. The discussion focused on what our community’s most pressing local environmental issues are and how citizens can take action.
“With the impact of the pandemic over the past couple of years, social needs, including housing, really rose to the top of our priority list and we felt the need to respond,” says LCF’s President & CEO, Martha Powell. “However, the environment has always been and continues to be an important issue. It too is a crisis but often not perceived as such. I hope this report inspires Londoners to think about how they can increasingly integrate sustainability into their everyday lives.”
The report highlights the consequences of climate change, but the good news is, our community is taking steps in the right direction. In some ways the pandemic has positively impacted the environment due in large part to a shift in how citizens worked and travelled. From 2019-2020, greenhouse gas emissions dropped 11%. Our city is also improving our resilience by replacing combined sewer systems that cannot convey the amount of water produced in severe weather events. The report also brings attention to the fact that the environment is an equity issue. Marginalized communities are most at risk to climate change and negative environmental impacts. For example, First Nations communities are more likely to have problems accessing clean drinking water, including Oneida of the Thames First Nation which is on a long-term boil water advisory. In addition, the lowest-income neighbourhoods in London tend to have fewer trees and are unable to take advantage of their benefits.
The 2022 Vital Signs report also provides highlights on six other issue areas: housing, racial equality, gender equality, well-being, food security, and education.
“The trends that we’re seeing are very concerning,” says Dr. Jerry White, Vital Signs Chair & LCF Board Member. “The pandemic has really exacerbated some deeply entrenched inequities and things are getting worse. As individuals, it can be difficult to know how to make an impact. The goal of Be the Change is to educate citizens on these issues and give them suggestions of ways they can take action.”
The report states that over 6,000 individuals and families are on the waitlist for social housing and over 2,000 individuals in our community are experiencing homelessness. Hate crimes have increased 70% in the last year, food bank usage is at record highs increasing 38% in the last year, the opioid crisis is worsening and gender-based violence continues to be on the rise.
Acknowledging that meaningful systemic change can only occur through collective action, Be the Change provides a series of tools and simple accessible actions that can be taken anytime, while suggesting a number of different organizations and causes in the community where further action can be taken. Guided by data and featuring guest blogs and podcasts from local changemakers, the report calls upon us all to play a role in addressing our community’s challenges.
“The aim of Vital Signs is to create awareness of the issues facing our community and demonstrate that these problems touch us all,” says White. “The takeaway message is that together, we have the power to shape the future of our community. Change can’t wait any longer and we all play a role in making it happen.”
To view the full report visit: www.bethechangelondon.ca