eMerge Guelph

Clearing the Air- POSTPONED
2020-06-23 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Online, eMERGE , ON, Canada
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A message to all attendees!
We unfortunately are postponing the Clearing the Air event scheduled for next Tuesday.We really want this to be a success, but have had limited registrations to date, in comparison we had +80 people attended our last event entitled eMERGE Street Fight. Stay tuned for the new date!
Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
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Can we save lives by moving to electric vehicles?
Air pollution causes more than 3,000 premature deaths every year in the GTHA – and that affects Guelph too. One of the biggest sources of this air pollution is vehicle traffic.
This estimate is based on exposure to 3 pollutants – fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and Ozone (O3). Air pollution is linked to lung cancer, respiratory conditions like asthma, allergies and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, and cardiovascular conditions like angina, heart attack, hypertension and stroke.
eMERGE Guelph was honoured to be part of the review committee on a new study by the Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA) and Environmental Defence Canada:
Clearing the Air: How Electric Vehicles And Cleaner Trucks Can Reduce Pollution, Improve Health And Save Lives
What does a shift to cleaner vehicles look like?
Five scenarios in the report compare the health benefits of reducing traffic pollution from cars and SUVs, trucks, and transit buses. Each scenario explores a specific mix of cleaner vehicles, and how this shift impacts air pollution, health, and greenhouse gas emissions in the region.
Clearing the Air
Postponed- Tuesday , June 23, 2020
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Join us as we host two of the authors:

Sarah Buchanan, Environmental Defence
Helen Doyle, Ontario Public Health Association OPHA

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About our Speakers:

Helen Doyle | BSc, CPHI(C) , Ontario Public Health Association’s (OPHA)
Helen Doyle is chair of the Ontario Public Health Association’s (OPHA) Environmental Health Work Group, working with public health partners to promote and advocate for action on environmental health issues including: climate change, air quality, water quality, housing, built and natural environments and children’s environmental health. She is a member of the OPHA Board of Directors. Helen is also on the Board of Directors for the Windfall Ecology Centre, a Green Communities Canada non-profit organization that delivers environmental programs and services in York Region and Toronto. Helen is a certified Public Health Inspector and retired from York Region Public Health in 2018 following a very rewarding and exciting 30 year career in environmental health and public health management.
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Sarah Buchanan | Program Manager, Clean Economy @sbuchananTO
Sarah began her environmental activism at age six, when she proudly began wearing a t-shirt with the word RECYCLE spelled out in silver sequins. Sarah has worked for the last 15 years in advocacy, media, and politics in both Ontario and British Columbia. She was inspired to join Environmental Defense’s team through a desire to drive swift action on climate change, and now works with people, businesses, and government to advocate for climate solutions in Ontario. Read Sarah’s blogs here.here.

While this is a FREE webinar, registration is necessary – Register Now!

It's not enough: How successful communities fight Climate Change
2020-09-15 19:00 - 2020-09-23 20:30 UTC | Online, eMERGE , ON, Canada
The shock of the COVID-19 pandemic provides an excellent opportunity to transition to low-carbon, energy efficient communities through the use of stimulus funding and legislation.
Well over 400 communities in Canada, and over 50 in Ontario, have completed Community Energy Plans. Many of them are now demonstrating continuing implementation efforts driven by aggressive GHG (greenhouse gas) and energy efficiency targets coupled with community demands for climate emergency declarations.
In two separate webinars we will look at; what other successful Ontario communities are doing and then explore best practices from around the world. We are honoured to have two leading experts in this field – Rob Kerr and Dr. Karen Farbridge – as our guests.

Registration is necessary for attending these events: you have to register for each event separately by visiting the corresponding registration links:

What Other Ontario Cities Are Doing – Rob Kerr – Sep 15 ,2020 @7:00 PM
Canadian and Global Best Practices – Dr. Karen Farbridge – Sep 23 ,2020 @7:00 PM

What Other Ontario Cities Are Doing – Rob Kerr
7:00 PM on Tuesday Sep 15 ,2020
This webinar will look at what other successful Ontario communities are doing to drive climate and energy action. Rob will explore how they are establishing the building blocks necessary to achieve the benefits of reaching ambitious climate targets.
Canadian and Global Best Practices – Dr. Karen Farbridge
7:00 PM on Wednesday Sep 23, 2020
Dr. Farbridge will provide insight into the best practices that have emerged over the last decade of community energy planning in Canada and globally and how they are accelerating the transition to a low-carbon and energy efficient economies.

About Our Speakers
Rob Kerr
Rob’s 40-year career focuses on transitioning society to a low carbon economy while reducing the impacts of climate change. He does this through policy development and implementation of projects and programs in the municipal and community space.
To get there, he wears many hats including: Senior Associate with QUEST, Canada’s leading organization in advocating for Smart Energy Communities, Managing Director of Garforth International Canada Inc. and his independent consultancy – Robert J. Kerr + Associates.
His work experience has been a balance between the private and public sector, having worked with the Honeywell, Hydro Quebec, Toronto Hydro Energy Services Inc., and Energy Advantage. Rob has held senior positions at ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability providing policy and program support to cities around the world committed to mitigation and adaptation activities related to climate change. There, he developed expertise in managing inter-governmental relationships – from his advocacy work at the global level (starting with the UN Climate Conference in Kyoto, Japan in 1997) – to ongoing advisory relationships with the Canadian federal and provincial governments as well as the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. He has also worked with the cities of Mississauga and of course Guelph.
Dr. Karen Farbridge
Dr. Farbridge has over 25 years of experience in change-making in the non-profit, public, and private sectors. She went from grassroots organizing with her early work at the Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG), to a PhD in Zoology, and then she became the first female Mayor in Guelph, after spending years on City Council.
She has a longstanding passion for building sustainable and resilient communities. She has been a leader in various community innovation projects including smart growth, downtown revitalization, open government, neighbourhood development, community wellbeing, resource and natural heritage protection, community energy and municipal governance. She is a respected speaker who has worked to educate on matters of urban interest and community resiliency to broad and diverse audiences both locally and internationally.
Karen is an urban connector that helps communities and governments across the country fight climate change in practical and achievable ways.
Dr. Karen Farbridge received the eMERGE Climate Change Hero award in 2019.

Ontario: undermining Guelph's Climate Goals
2020-09-30 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Online, eMERGE , ON, Canada
Ontario: undermining Guelph’s Climate Goals
Examining the alternatives
We need a Guelph City Council resolution.
Ontario’s proposed gas plants expansion – and associated greenhouse gas emissions- will undermine Guelph’s climate change goals. It will also significantly reverse the pollution reductions achieved by shutting down coal plants. There are alternatives.
In light of the climate emergency acknowledged by Guelph City Council, groups in Guelph (see list below) are joining forces with organizations across Ontario to demand the province reduce, not increase, fossil fuel generated power. We urge City Council to pass a resolution, compatible with our emission reduction goals and with Council’s previous resolution supporting a phase-out of coal-generated electricity.
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Join us as we host Jack Gibbons from the Ontario Clean Air Alliance.
This webinar will shed a light on how Guelph can once again lead in fighting climate change. Our city was at the forefront during the coal phase out. Now we need to do the same with gas plants.
Jack Gibbons from the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, will draw a road map on how we can exploit new alternative cost effective clean energy sources that will generate economic and social wealth. He will advocate how transitioning away from fossil fuels to a renewable energy economy has clear benefits for people and natural ecosystems. We have an opportunity to create a more prosperous, healthy and equitable society.
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About Our Speaker

Jack Gibbons| Chair of the Ontario Air Alliance
Jack Gibbons is Chair of the Ontario Clean Air Alliance. Jack has worked on energy and environmental issues in Ontario for more than 40 years. His previous positions include: Economist, Energy Probe; Project Manager, Ontario Energy Board; Senior Economic Advisor, Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy; and Commissioner, Toronto Hydro.
Jack has studied economics at the University of Toronto (B.A.), Queen’s University (M.A.) and the University of British Columbia.
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Organizations in support of the City of Guelph taking bold action against more climate change pollution are listed below.

Council of Canadians-Guelph Chapter
eMERGE Guelph
Extinction Rebellion Guelph
Guelph Green New Deal
Guelph Wellington Social Justice Coalition
KAIROS Guelph
Ontario Clean Air Alliance
Transition Guelph
Wellington Water Watchers

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Environmental Racism
2020-10-07 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Online, eMERGE , ON, Canada
Environmental Racism
Environmental racism in Canada and the actions needed to address the inequalities.

Canada has an environmental racism problem that is both blatant and systemic. Environmental degradation and the impacts of climate change have and will be felt the strongest by Indigenous and Black communities across Canada.
One of the most egregious cases is where a pulp and paper mill dumped toxic effluent directly into Boat Harbour, on the Pictou Landing First Nation in Nova Scotia for over 50 years. Dr. Ingrid Waldron – renowned author, professor, researcher, and advocate – will join eMERGE to discuss environmental racism in Canada and what is necessary to create lasting, positive, and equitable change. She will be joined by Guelph Black Heritage Society, Executive Director, Kween. Dr. Waldron and Kween will discuss Boat Harbour while looking at the issue of racism locally – environmental and otherwise.
Dr. Waldron’s book: There’s Something in the Water captured the attention of actor Ellen Page who produced a documentary about environmental racism that was featured at TIFF and is now available on Netflix.
The Book: There’s Something in the Water
The Film Trailer: There’s Something in the Water (now available on Netflix)
Join us as we host Dr. Ingrid Waldron and Kween for:

Environmental Racism
Dr. Ingrid Waldron , Ph.D., Associate Professor, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University
7:00 PM Wednesday, Oct 7
Resources
The Book: There’s Something in the Water
The Film Trailer: There’s Something in the Water (now available on Netflix)
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About our speakers:

Dr. Ingrid Waldron| Ph.D., Associate Professor, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University
Dr. Ingrid Waldron is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Health at Dalhousie University, the Director of the Environmental Noxiousness, Racial Inequities & Community Health Project (The ENRICH Project) and the Flagship Co-Lead of the Improving the Health of People of African Descent. Her research, teaching, community leadership and advocacy work are examining and addressing the health and mental health impacts of structural inequalities within the environment, public infrastructure, health and mental health care, and child welfare in Black, Indigenous, immigrant, and refugee communities.
As the Director of the ENRICH Project over the last 8 years, Dr. Waldron has been investigating the socio-economic, political, and health effects of environmental racism in Mi’kmaq and African Nova Scotian communities. The ENRICH Project formed the basis to Dr. Waldron’s first book There’s Something in the Water: Environmental Racism in Indigenous and Black Communities, which received the 2020 Society for Socialist Studies Errol Sharpe Book Prize and the 2019 Atlantic Book Award for Scholarly Writing.
The 2020 Netflix documentary There’s Something in the Water is based on Dr. Waldron’s book and was co-produced by Waldron, actress Ellen Page, Ian Daniel, and Julia Sanderson, and co-directed by Page and Daniel.
Dr. Waldron is currently developing the first national anti-environmental racism coalition that will bring together partners from multiple sectors to address and advocate around environmental racism, climate change, health inequities, and other social inequalities in Canada.
For more information on the work of Dr. Waldron, follow these links:

Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University.
Dr. Ingrid Waldron on LinkedIn
Director, The Environmental Noxiousness, Racial Inequities & Community Health Project (The ENRICH Project)
Healthy Populations Institute Flagship Project Co-Lead, Improving the Health Outcomes of People of African Descent

Kween| Executive Director, Guelph Black Heritage Society
Within the BIPOC (Black, Indegenious and Person of Colour) community in Guelph, Kween advocates for the rights of African and Caribbean people as Executive Director for Guelph Black Heritage Society and works closely on anti-racism training, social justice and policy change. She was the leader of Guelph’s June 6th BLM Protest and uses her platform to educate her community and elected officials. Dedicated to Carnival, helping promote black excellence through Caribana while giving her time back to the high schools during Black History Month.
Kween is a dance teacher, business owner, cannabis educator and activist. She grew up in Guelph attending the University of Guelph. She then migrated to Toronto graduating as Valedictorian from the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts. She now owns two businesses: The Heels Academy and The Kween Company, teaches Soca/Dancehall and Afro at the University of Guelph and is the team coordinator and choreographer for The Guelph Nighthawks Flight Crew. She is honoured to hold an artistic residency for 2020/2021 with Guelph Dance to expand her creative ideas for the Black Community through dance.
She works actively with AHLOT on the Cannabis Curation Committee and Lyte Clinic as a Patient Educator and additionally gives back through her cannabis advocacy for the BIPOC community.
And

Bruce Weaver| Retired Teacher
Bruce Weaver is a retired elementary school teacher. He and his wife have lived in Guelph since 1983. Bruce has been active in indigenous circles since his discovery of his native heritage about 10 years ago. He currently facilitates a men’s circle, is a fire keeper for the community and is a member of Seven Generations Forward, as well as working with the Guelph Public Library to develop stronger relations with the local indigenous community. For the last 4 years, Bruce has facilitated the Kairos Blanket Exercise with local school boards, Faith groups and the University of Guelph and Ryerson University. Bruce is an active member of Nature Guelph and a keen birder.
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Our Sponsors

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About eMERGE
eMERGE Guelph Sustainability fights climate change to build a healthier society. It does this by engaging, and equipping Guelphites to transition to a 100% renewable energy (100RE) economy. It uses the narrative of achieving 100% Renewable Energy by 2050 as a positive goal to win this battle. This is done primarily by helping people reduce energy and water use through an individual residential focus along with community events, outreach and engagement that promote smart behavior, policy and improved efficiency to help Guelph build a road map to beat climate change and achieve 100% renewable energy by 2050.

Clearing the Air
2020-10-22 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Online, eMERGE , ON, Canada
Can we save lives with electric vehicles? And results of the Guelph Attitudes on EVs Survey
Air pollution causes more than 3,000 premature deaths every year in the GTHA – and that affects Guelph, too. One of the biggest sources of this air pollution is vehicle traffic.
This estimate is based on exposure to 3 pollutants – fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and Ozone (O3). Air pollution is linked to lung cancer, respiratory conditions like asthma, allergies and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, and cardiovascular conditions like angina, heart attack, hypertension and stroke.
Clearing the Air: How Electric Vehicles And Cleaner Trucks Can Reduce Pollution, Improve Health And Save Lives
And what about Guelph? We can learn a lot from this report and look at it with the lens of another new study by the University of Guelph – CESI (Community Engaged Scholarship Institute) with eMERGE: ‘Guelph Attitudes on EVs’.
What does a shift to cleaner vehicles look like?
Five scenarios in the report compare the health benefits of reducing traffic pollution from cars and SUVs, trucks, and transit buses. Each scenario explores a specific mix of cleaner vehicles, and how this shift impacts air pollution, health, and greenhouse gas emissions in the region.
Clearing the Air
Thursday , Oct. 22, 2020
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
eMERGE Guelph was honoured to be part of the review committee on Clearing the Air by the Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA) Environmental Defence Canada and the University of Toronto.
We are also grateful for the expertise and guidance by CESI on the Guelph Attitudes on EVs.
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Join us as we host:

Helen Doyle| BSc, CPHI(C), Ontario Public Health Association( OPHA)
Helen Doyle is chair of the Ontario Public Health Association’s (OPHA) Environmental Health Work Group, working with public health partners to promote and advocate for action on environmental health issues including: climate change, air quality, water quality, housing, built and natural environments and children’s environmental health. She is a member of the OPHA Board of Directors. Helen is also on the Board of Directors for the Windfall Ecology Centre, a Green Communities Canada non-profit organization that delivers environmental programs and services in York Region and Toronto. Helen is a certified Public Health Inspector and retired from York Region Public Health in 2018 following a very rewarding and exciting 30 year career in environmental health and public health management.
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Laura Minet | Ph.D., Post Doctoral Fellow at University of Toronto
Laura is a PhD Candidate in Transportation Engineering at the University of Toronto (UofT) and a Postdoctoral Fellow in Civil Engineering and Earth Sciences at UofT. passionate by the issues related to the environment. She works on a variety of projects ranging from the presence of chemical compounds in food packaging to the impacts of traffic emissions on urban air quality, population exposure and health. She is thrilled to be part of the The Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program (DEEP) and is excited to share her passion for science and engineering. In her spare time, Laura loves hiking, camping and traveling!

The sponsors of this event:

The University of Guelph Community Engaged Scholarship Institute (CESI) brings together community and campus skills and resources in order to advance community-identified research goals. They work in collaboration, honour diverse forms of knowledge, and leverage university resources for community benefit.
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About eMERGE
eMERGE Guelph Sustainability fights climate change to build a healthier society. It does this by engaging, and equipping Guelphites to transition to a 100% renewable energy (100RE) economy. It uses the narrative of achieving 100% Renewable Energy by 2050 as a positive goal to win this battle. This is done primarily by helping people reduce energy and water use through an individual residential focus along with community events, outreach and engagement that promote smart behavior, policy and improved efficiency to help Guelph build a road map to beat climate change and achieve 100% renewable energy by 2050.

Salty Softeners, Salty Rivers
2020-11-18 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Online, eMERGE , ON, Canada
We all know that road salt is bad for our beloved Speed River. But what about that seemingly invisible source in our basements?
Water softeners can compete with volumes of road salt that we pour into our rivers. The added salt is bad enough, but these softeners also mean we use more water to operate them. All of this impacts our environment including climate change.
Water softeners are seen by many as an almost necessary piece of household equipment in Guelph. They provide several real and perceived benefits, but come with a few drawbacks.
What are we to do? … Lots.
Learn how you can cut your salt use by up to 60%, benefit our rivers, fight climate change and save money
Steve Gombos, from the Region of Waterloo, will illustrate how softeners work, how softeners contribute to chloride pollution in Region of Waterloo waterways, show us different types of smart water softeners and conditioners available to homeowners and the smart way to soften efficiently to save water, salt and money.
Steve Yessie, City of Guelph Water Department, will discuss the Guelph perspective of household softener use, the benefits and challenges of water softeners, as wells as ways to reduce related water and salt use.
Salty Softeners, Salty Rivers
Wednesday , Nov. 18, 2020
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Our presenters will lead a discussion on reasons for softening your water, types of water softeners, salt-saving alternatives, and answer your questions.
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Join us as we host:

Steve Gombos| Manager of Water Efficiency, Region of Waterloo
Steve Gombos helps conserve the Region’s vital drinking water for the future, while also helping people reduce water consumption today. Steve has served on the Board of Directors for the Alliance for Water Efficiency, and as Chair of the Ontario Water Works Association Water Efficiency Committee. Steve has authored numerous articles for trade publications related to water efficiency, waste management and the environment. He frequently provides topical presentations to international, national and local audiences.

Steve Yessie| Water Conservation Program Coordinator, City of Guelph
Steve Yessie has worked in the sustainability field for the past 7 years. In 2018 he joined the Water Conservation and Efficiency team with the City of Guelph. In his role at the City Steve coordinates the Multi-Residential Water Audit and Water Sub-Meter Rebate programs. In addition to these programs he focuses much of his time toward community education. This finds Steve leading tours of the local Water Services facility and in front of classrooms at schools across the City discussing source protection, conservation, efficiency and best practices related to water.
The sponsors of this event:

About eMERGE
eMERGE Guelph Sustainability fights climate change to build a healthier society. It does this by engaging, and equipping Guelphites to transition to a 100% renewable energy (100RE) economy. It uses the narrative of achieving 100% Renewable Energy by 2050 as a positive goal to win this battle. This is done primarily by helping people reduce energy and water use through an individual residential focus along with community events, outreach and engagement that promote smart behavior, policy and improved efficiency to help Guelph build a road map to beat climate change and achieve 100% renewable energy by 2050.

Climate, Covid and Kids' Health in Marginalized Communities- POSTPONED
2020-11-26 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Online, eMERGE , ON, Canada
A Message from eMERGE Guelph:
With regrets, we are postponing Climate, COVID and Health of Kids in Marginalized Communities for this Thursday, November 26…Unfortunately, due to low registration numbers, we made this decision.

Since COVID we’ve moved all of our programming online. We really want to move on with this event, but have had limited registrations to date. In comparison we had over 100 registrants with some of our recent events. Our goal is to make this health event just as successful. . For this one we’ve only been able to garner 6 registrations. Could it be that people have ‘covid fatigue’? We don’t know. ONLY Guessing here!eMERGE believes that communicating climate change through a ‘health’ lens can be very effective at motivating climate action. Our goal is to have many more early environmental adopters – like you – engaged in this event.

We will refund you for your order shortly and we are working on rescheduling for the new year and will keep you informed as things progress.

Apologies once again and thank you for your understanding!eMERGE Team

Public health experts raise alarm at climate risks to children’s health in marginalized communities
Many children in Canada live with inequities that make them more vulnerable to climate change. Our most marginalized populations are especially susceptible to climate-related physical and mental health impacts such as asthma, heat illness, anxiety and depression. And children from the lowest income neighborhoods in Canada are hospitalized for asthma 1.5 times more than those from the highest income neighborhoods.
Public health experts also know that the risk isn’t equal across and within communities.
No child should have to suffer these negative health impacts from climate change and the inequities that put them at even greater risk. Solutions to address this already exist.
The Ontario Public health Association (OPHA) is working with diverse leaders and organizations to bring collective experiences, knowledge, and ideas to tackle the challenge of climate change and inequity. Recognizing that inequities such as poverty and racial discrimination, that put marginalized communities at greater COVID-19 risk, are the same inequities that put them at greater climate risk, the Make It Better campaign is an opportunity to work on solutions to very important public health crises – climate change, health inequity and the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Join us as we host:
Climate, COVID and Kids’ Health in Marginalized Communities
Thursday , Nov. 26, 2020
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Pegeen Walsh| Executive Director, Ontario Public Health Association
Pegeen is the Executive Director for the Ontario Public Health Association. Her role requires supporting and facilitating advocacy efforts in public health and capacity building and knowledge transfer and exchange initiatives within the province and beyond.
Prior to OPHA, Pegeen has led the design and delivery of a wide range of programs, policies, partnerships, and research that have supported individual and community health and well-being. As Ontario Regional Director with Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada and Director at the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion, she oversaw various health initiatives ranging from early child development, healthy eating, and tobacco control, healthy communities to injury, alcohol abuse and 2008 OPHS Standards.
As Director of Public Policy at YMCA Canada, she developed government relations training and strategies. Just prior to joining OPHA, Pegeen was a Research Director at the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships responsible implementing research strategy to advance knowledge and best practices. Pegeen is also a Board member at Family Services Toronto, serving as chair of its Governance Committee. She holds a BA degree from University of Waterloo in Political Science.
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The sponsors of this event:

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About eMERGE
eMERGE Guelph Sustainability fights climate change to build a healthier society. It does this by engaging, and equipping Guelphites to transition to a 100% renewable energy (100RE) economy. It uses the narrative of achieving 100% Renewable Energy by 2050 as a positive goal to win this battle. This is done primarily by helping people reduce energy and water use through an individual residential focus along with community events, outreach and engagement that promote smart behavior, policy and improved efficiency to help Guelph build a road map to beat climate change and achieve 100% renewable energy by 2050.

Food Fight
2020-12-08 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Online, eMERGE , ON, Canada
It’s complicated, but let us explain.
Talking about food and climate change in the same conversation has the distinct possibility of getting you into … well… uhm…ah… shall we say in a little bit of controversy.
What we eat is always loaded with a lot of familial warmth, emotion and of course tension. The conversation can quickly evolve into a debate about health, cost, agriculture, economics, science, personal opinion, maybe even the US election and (insert a deep breath here) of course taste.
Guess we didn’t mention climate change eh.
Without getting too preachy here at all (maybe just a tiny bit, but hear us out because we promise this will be fun!) we all know that eating a more local, plant based diet that wastes less food will be better to fight climate change.
But it BETTER TASTE REALLY GOOD!
So how does this work anyway?
1. Register for the Food Fight (cost of the great food is extra – see 2. below)
2. We encourage you to Order Take-Out (but not mandatory) from the local downtown Food Fight restaurants before Dec 8.

Cadence – Mac & Cheese w/ Broccoli (519) 265-8225
Sip Club – Hot & Sour Soup (519) 265.1964
Cornerstone – Tempeh Reubin (519) 827-0145

3. Join the Webinar 7:00pm December 8 – where you judge the winner of the eMERGE Food Fight!
How better to decide what tastes good than to have a Food Fight?
Join us as we host a Food Fight with three Downtown Guelph chefs that fight to resolve:
My Dish Tastes Way Better than Yours!
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Introducing your Food Fighters:

Sydney Coles| The Cornerstone
You should always use the right tools for the job, right? Sydney does it handily with these kitchen thingees in her hands that she’s using to try to intimidate her opponents. Apparently her art school degree, yoga and her cat are supposed to show us how badass she can be – and that she will stop at nothing to win this Food Fight. Oh ya, her extensive background as a vegan cook is supposed to help too.
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Nevada Jeansonne| Cadence
Wow, that look really makes us scared. The others should be shaking in their boots! Nevada has been all plant based, all the time, for a very long time. From Nova Scotia to Guelph, she’s been sharing that passion as a chef and serious baker. We’re expecting her to bring a guitar, bike and drawing materials to the food fight. But we’re not quite sure why. Regardless, we know that ‘look’ already gives her a head start on the others! (and in case you’re wondering, yes Nevada wears a mask appropriately, at appropriate places and appropriate times)
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Dewey| Sip Club
We have it on good authority that Dewey’s grade four teacher told him to“wipe that smirk off your face” … many times. It didn’t work then and it probably won’t work now. As the only man in the fight he has his work cutout for himself. Dewey seems to think that his post secondary education, experience at dozens of restaurants, hotels (including the Fairmont chain – well la-dee-da for him), a career as a broadcaster and owning restaurants means he’s gonna win this Food Fight. Sorry Dewey, we’ll be the judge of that!
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Marty Williams| Downtown Guelph
Every fight needs a referee and ours includes none other than the very trendy Marty Williams, Esquire, Executive Director of Downtown Guelph. Here he can be seen outside his office, tastefully showing off grey shorts (in November – can you believe it)with a partially buttoned brown jacket framing a classy look at his red white and black lumberjack shirt. Not only does he ‘dress for success’, but he can also keep our Food Fighters in check. He will have prime authority to punish anyone who attempts to go too far. He’ll hit the mute button on them, or even worse, turn off their video!
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Your Homework Assignment: Due December 8th
Taste the wonderful Food Fight dishes from these restaurants so that you can help us determine which dish tastes best. (Ordering takeout makes the most sense during the pandemic)
– Cornerstone
– Cadence
– Sip Club
Don’t even think of saying: “the dog ate my homework”!
COMING SOON: Dessert made by 10c kitchen, our Celebrity Taste Testers and the e-Bike delivery service that dropped off the food.
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Are EVs Bad? for the environment and social justice
2021-02-04 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Online, eMERGE , ON, Canada
Many people understand that EVs can fulfill their driving requirements. But there still are concerns over the environmental and social justice implications of ditching their internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle for an EV.
A new University of Guelph study (Benefits and Barriers to Electric Vehicle Adoption in the City of Guelph) highlights many of the common concerns like range, availability and price, that can be relatively easily addressed. However, it also shows that many early environmental adopters haven’t seen adequate information on the environmental and social justice implications to make the move to an EV.
Join us as we host Karen Nelson from the University of Guelph and Paul Gipe, Renewable Energy Analyst from Wind Works in California for:
Are EVs Bad?
Thursday , Feb. 4, 2021
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
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Paul Gipe | Renewable Energy Analyst, Wind Works
Even as an American living in southern California Paul Gipe has had a profound impact on our lives in Ontario. He was one of the architects behind Ontario’s Feed-in-Tariffs (FIT) and the Green Energy and Economy Act (GEAA). Implemented in 2009, this law quickly accelerated the development of wind and solar projects throughout the province while precipitating a significant drop in the cost of these systems. The GEAA ultimately had an impact on renewable energy implementation throughout North America. While the Act was later repealed by the current government, the positive impact that it has had on changing the way we produce, distribute and use energy has overwhelmingly altered our energy system.
Paul has written extensively about these issues for the past four decades. His most recent book, Wind Energy for the Rest of Us, is his seventh book on wind energy.
In 2011 he was asked to test drive GM’s new Chevy Volt through the wind farms of the Tehachapi Pass in California. He has been writing, researching and speaking about electric vehicles ever since. Gipe has explored Southern California in a limited-range Nissan Leaf, a range-extended Chevy Volt, and a Chevy Bolt. He’s currently on his second Bolt, a 2020 model with over 400 km range.
His Frequently Asked Questions about Electric Vehicles now has some 60 entries.
Paul Gipe is an author, advocate, and analyst on renewable energy and electric vehicles.
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Karen Nelson | Research Shop Coordinator, University of Guelph
Karen is the Research Shop Coordinator at the Community Engaged Scholarship Institute (CESI) at the University of Guelph. She trains and manages graduate students engaged in community engaged research projects with local community partners. Over the past 13 years, Karen has worked in both academic and community settings on research related to community health, housing, economic and rural development, and social services.
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Patricia Butt | Research Assistant, University of Guelph
Patricia is a MSc student in the Rural Planning and Development program in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development at the University of Guelph. She has worked with the Research Shop at the Community Engaged Scholarship Institute (CESI) as a Research Assistant since September 2019. Patricia is inspired by transdisciplinary collaboration and particularly interested in community engaged, participatory approaches to research. She is dedicated to contributing to knowledge mobilization and the development of more just, sustainable communities through the various projects she is involved with, both on and off campus.
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The sponsors of this event:

The University of Guelph Community Engaged Scholarship Institute (CESI) brings together community and campus skills and resources in order to advance community-identified research goals. They work in collaboration, honour diverse forms of knowledge, and leverage university resources for community benefit.
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About eMERGE
eMERGE Guelph Sustainability fights climate change to build a healthier society. It does this by engaging, and equipping Guelphites to transition to a 100% renewable energy (100RE) economy. It uses the narrative of achieving 100% Renewable Energy by 2050 as a positive goal to win this battle. This is done primarily by helping people reduce energy and water use through an individual residential focus along with community events, outreach and engagement that promote smart behavior, policy and improved efficiency to help Guelph build a road map to beat climate change and achieve 100% renewable energy by 2050.

2021 Climate Change Hero
2021-03-04 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Online, eMERGE , ON, Canada
Dr. Pierre Fogal, eMERGE Climate Change Hero
A 6,000 kilometer commute is not what comes to mind when we think of fighting climate change. But that’s exactly what Dr. Pierre Fogal does when he travels from Guelph to his office in Eureka, Nunavut. Situated on Ellesmere Island, he leads a team of researchers at the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL).
Dr. Fogal is the eMERGE Climate Change Hero of 2021.
While Pierre’s work might be invisible to many people in Guelph, his research in the high arctic has been crucial to the science of climate change for scientists around the world. Most years, he spends at least three months at his laboratory. COVID has made it difficult for him over the last year. But rest assured that massive volumes of climate data are being uploaded to the internet regularly. However, the remoteness of Eureka means that the PEARL team also has to find sufficient funding to keep the centre running. It’s no surprise that transportation and energy costs can be quite staggering, but imagine a yearly internet bill of $84,000.
Much of what we take for granted in Guelph can be difficult to come by in Eureka. Imagine doing your job without seeing sunlight for months. Then, on February 20th seeing a mere hour and 14 minutes of daylight for the first time since the previous October.
Make no mistake, the work done by Pierre and the PEARL team is crucial in understanding the impacts we’re having on climate change.
Join us – and our Making Box partners – as we celebrate the work of Dr. Pierre Fogal:
eMERGE Climate Change Hero
Thursday , March 4, 2021
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Register on Eventbrite – click here.
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Dr. Pierre Fogal | Site Manager at the PEARL Laboratory and Senior Research Associate at Department of Physics, University of Toronto
More about Pierre:
Pierre Fogal was born and raised in Guelph. He grew up “in the country” on the edge of the east end of Guelph and attended Bishop MacDonell High School back when it was still on the hill. He then went on to receive an undergraduate degree in Physics from the University of Waterloo followed by graduate work at the University of Denver. It was during that time that he met and married Theresa, his wife of 27 years. They have 3 children, Alexander, Andre and Serena. Pierre’s field of research is atmospheric composition determined through infrared spectroscopic study. He has done this using spectrometers located on aircraft, stratospheric balloons, and the ground. Much of his ground-based work has occurred in the Arctic and Antarctic. In 2004 he was recruited to help with the establishment of the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL) located at 80N on Ellesmere Island, NU. He has been the PEARL Site Manager since then. Previous to the COVID-19 pandemic he typically spent 3 months of the year in the Canadian High Arctic. Pierre is also a founding board member of the Guelph Renewable Energy Coop.
Read a great feature article on Pierre from Grand Magazine click here!
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More About PEARL:
PEARL is a member site of both the Network for Detection of Atmospheric Composition (NDACC) Change and the Total Column Carbon Observing Network (TCCON). In both networks, spectroscopic data is analyzed to provide the amount and sometimes the distribution of a trace gas in the atmosphere. TCCON provides measurements of carbon dioxide and methane. NDACC of several molecules, all of them important in atmospheric processes such as ozone destruction and atmospheric temperature. The polar regions are often described as a “canary in a coal mine” as changes there are more easily discerned than in mid-latitudes where most atmospheric measurements are carried out. PEARL is also an ideal site for carrying out the satellite validation measurements needed to track the performance of satellite instruments. Every year in late February, PEARL hosts a campaign to validate the instruments of the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment on the Canadian SciSat launched in 2003, and for the Canadian OSIRIS instrument on the Swedish Odin satellite launched in 2001.
To learn even more about PEARL, please visit http://www.candac.ca
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The sponsors of this event:
The Making Box & Barry Cullen

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About eMERGE
eMERGE fights climate change to build a healthier society. It does this by helping people reduce energy and water use.
Promoting smart behavior, policy and improved efficiency helps Guelph build a road map to achieve 100% renewable energy long before 2050. This has the added benefit of a healthier community and a more resilient local economy.

Invest... as if Climate Change Matters
2021-06-02 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Online, eMERGE , ON, Canada
How to put our money where our earth is
Money can change our lives and the environment. For better or worse, whether we have any or none at all.
Profiting from fossil fuels has poured more fuel on the fire of climate change. But now, even large investors are recognizing that a fundamental shift toward a low-carbon economy is taking place. They are recognizing the environmental, social and financial benefits of fossil fuel divestment. At the same time more funds are being re-directed towards improving our environment and communities. Ultimately, they are ‘impact investing’ for multiple financial, social and environmental goals.
But this massive change didn’t begin in the board rooms of large corporations. Instead grass roots organizations have turned it into a worldwide movement. Right here, students at the University of Guelph launched a multi-year campaign that motivated their school to create a divestment strategy for its $300 million endowment fund. The students had little money to speak of, weren’t investors, but made their voices heard in a way that had a profound impact on the University for decades to come.
Join us as we explore how to:
Invest as if Climate Change Matters
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Wednesday, June 02, 2021
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We plan to:
• Learn how you can affect change with your pension plan or other large investors from our friends at Shift Action
• And if you have your own investments; learn how you can personally “Invest as if climate change matters”
Join us as we explore ways to build stronger resilient community while investing on the environment!
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Adam is a climate change expert with extensive domestic and international experience in policy, energy and finance, as well as campaign design and execution. He has a lifelong commitment to supporting the transition to a zero carbon economy in Canada. At Shift, he works with wide-ranging stakeholders to bring international climate leadership into Canada’s financial sector. Previously, Adam was Senior Advisor to Oil Change International and manager of Environmental Defence Canada’s Climate & Energy program. Adam has advised governments, communicated through national and international media, and published numerous reports focused on various aspects of the low carbon transition. Adam and his family have recently returned to Toronto after living in the UK.

Tim Nash is the founder of Good Investing and blogs as The Sustainable Economist. As an expert on socially responsible investing, impact investing, and the green economy, he is regularly featured in publications such as CBC’s The National, BNN Bloomberg’s Market Call, and the Globe and Mail. He earned his BA in Economics from Dalhousie University (Canada) and his Master’s in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability from the Blekinge Institute of Technology (Sweden). He is the lead researcher for Ethical Market’s Green Transition Scoreboard® research report, which details more than $10.3 trillion of private investments in the global green economy.
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The co-sponsors of this event include:

Intro to CanBike
2021-09-19 08:45 - 15:00 UTC | downtown Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Riding your bike in traffic can be daunting. Learn how to gain confidence and feel more comfortable on the road.
We know that biking is better than driving when it comes to the environment and our health. But many of us just don’t feel safe on the road. That’s one of the most common reasons we use for not cycling. We just don’t feel safe – especially on streets.
Meanwhile, the pandemic has provided the opportunity for more people than ever to dust off their bikes and ride.
This course is all about building confidence. Confidence that comes from better cycling skills that enable you to make more informed decisions on where and when to ride.
Based on the national CanBike program this one-day cycling class for adults will build on the technical basics of riding and traffic dynamics to help you approach biking from a defensive riding approach. It includes a classroom session, skills development in a parking lot and finally on-road riding.
Many of you will know this program as an integral part of the cycling curriculum offered by CELP, Headwaters and TERRA environmental High School programs in Guelph. Your instructor has been teaching CanBike programs for over 20 years to more than a thousand people including police officers, adults, high school students and children.
COVID Update
We will ensure that all COVID measures and precautions are followed to help ensure the health and safety of our participants and the community. Your eMERGE instructor is now fully vaccinated and will be tested for COVID 24 hours ahead. We will be adhering to social distancing rule of 2 metres (6.5 feet) during this course.
The day before the event, you will be asked to fill out a COVID-19 Screening form (sample).
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Intro to CanBike
On Road session
08:45am – 3:00 pm Sunday, September 19, 2021
Location – close to downtown Guelph (final location to be confirmed)
Intro to CanBike will help you learn new skills, gain confidence and take more control. A real ‘must’ for anyone that wants to ride more confidently in the city and in traffic.
Class size is limited to only 10 students.
The cost is $80 plus Eventbrite fees and HST. The instructor will contact you to provide further information and necessary prep work to be completed prior to the class. We are considering offering more classes based on demonstrated demand.
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A note about the cost: eMERGE always attempts to make it’s programs financially accessible to those that may not be able to afford it. However, given that we have to limit the number of people in this class due to COVID, we are unable to offer a reduced rate at this time. If we can provide larger classes in the future, we will attempt to once again offer this opportunity. We appreciate your understanding.

About eMERGE
eMERGE fights climate change to build a healthier society. It does this by helping people reduce energy and water use.
Promoting smart behavior, policy and improved efficiency helps Guelph build a road map to achieve 100% renewable energy decades before 2050. This has the added benefit of a healthier community and a more resilient local economy.

Wanna be a Waterhero?
2021-09-23 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Online, eMERGE , ON, Canada
Guelph takes water conservation seriously
We have to. We’re the largest community in Canada relying on groundwater for our supply. Compared to other cities our wells take longer to replenish and are more vulnerable to overuse. That’s why the city created the Blue Built Home program: to motivate, celebrate, rebate and reward your water conservation efforts.
On average, we use 167 Liters/person/ day in our homes. But we need to get down to 150 Liters . This policy target came about from extensive public participation, by individuals and organizations. We’ve certainly come a long way from the 250 liters/person/day that we gobbled up in the early 1990’s.
Reaching this goal is easier than you might think. But don’t take our word for it. Check out how our friends Suzanne and Ernst Braendli have cut their water use down to just 79 Liters / person / day. (And yes they do shower and their home is spotless)
We have partnered with the city to get you started through our Home Tune-Up program. We’ll work with you to analyze your water use, replace shower heads, faucet aerators for free and then make recommendations including replacing toilets and even larger appliances like dishwashers and your washing machine. And then for the “super heroes” out there, how about rain water harvesting?
Achieving Blue Built Home certification will no doubt reduce your monthly water bill and provide even greater benefits to the environment. And you’ll also have bragging rights.
Learn how you can certify your home with the Blue Built Home program and have access to rebates up to $2,000.
Join us as we explore the options for water saving and help you build your plan to become a water hero:
Wanna be a Water Hero?
Thursday , September 23, 2021
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

2050 Is Too Late
2021-09-28 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Online, eMERGE , ON, Canada
1st target of 2030 is like telling a child in grade 1 they won’t be evaluated until grade 9
The latest science showing the need for ‘climate action now’ couldn’t be clearer. And while the city has acknowledged that we are in a climate emergency, our first climate target isn’t until 2030. That’s like telling a parent today that their child in grade 1 won’t be evaluated until they get to grade 9.
Guelph just released its Sustainability Report on how we’re fighting climate change. Our city staff are working hard and it shows that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions went down in 2020. However, the pandemic has had a profound impact on cutting emissions across the country. Will Guelph be able to sustain that drop and keep reducing emissions fast enough post-pandemic?
The city has two climate change targets for 2050: Net Zero Carbon (for the entire community) and 100% Renewable Energy (for the corporation of the City of Guelph).
Here’s how we can do better.
1- Develop mandatory interim climate change targets that fall within city council terms of office:
We need more accountability. Our first climate target of 45% doesn’t occur until 2030. While there are requirements for “reviews” every 5 years, there are no specific targets associated with those reviews.
This all about accountability and the “reviews” don’t quite line up with the 4-year terms of city council. Having interim targets that land within Council terms will help focus our work and create more accountability – for all of us.
It will also gives us a much better method of understanding how we are – or aren’t -progressing in an emergency.
The City of Hamilton has already implemented 4 year targets.
2- Entrench climate change action into the Official Plan review.
The current Official Plan – now undergoing a review – doesn’t reflect our current climate targets. It does include reference to the now outdated energy plan. All decisions that the city makes must include a ‘lens’ that ensures climate change is front and centre.
3- Empower All City staff to bring their ideas forward to fight climate change.
This is about changing the culture.
We have great staff working for us in many different departments at the city. Who better to understand the challenges and opportunities available to fast-track fighting climate change efforts in their specific field of work? We can’t leave this to one small, but committed, office to do all the heavy lifting.
Empowering all city staff to find their voice and help fight climate change will give us a great leg up.
4- Review the 2050 target date for Net Zero carbon and 100%RE.
Like our Health Unit’s COVID vaccination efforts, we believe that Guelph can be a front runner by going above and beyond these targets. As we see progress, we must also re-evaluate this final target and bring it closer – much closer – to today.
As a community we need to battle climate change aggressively on all fronts.
Will We able to meet our climate change targets?
Join us as we explore ways to meet our climate goals much sooner!
2050 is Too Late
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Tuesday, Sep 28, 2021
Click here to register for 2050 is Too Late
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Brought to you by:

Citizens Climate Lobby, Climate Justice Guelph, Council of Canadians-Guelph Chapter, eMERGE Guelph, Extinction Rebellion Guelph, Fridays for the Future, Greenhouse Guelph, Green New Deal Guelph, Guelph Wellington Coalition for Social Justice, Kairos Guelph, OPIRG Guelph, Transition Guelph, Wellington Water Watchers, Yorklands Green Hub

Salty Softeners Salty Rivers
2021-11-10 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Online, eMERGE , ON, Canada
We know that road salt is bad for our beloved Speed River. But what about that invisible source of salt in our basements?
Water softeners can compete with volumes of road salt that we pour into our rivers. And while road salt use in Guelph is going down, softener salt is actually going up!

The added salt is bad enough, but these softeners also mean we use more water to operate them. All of this impacts our environment including climate change.
Water softeners are seen by many as an almost necessary piece of household equipment in Guelph. They provide several real and perceived benefits, but come with a few drawbacks.
What are we to do? … Lots.
Learn how you can cut your salt use by up to 60%, benefit our rivers, fight climate change and save money.
Wayne Brabazon, from the Region of Waterloo, will illustrate how softeners work and how they contribute to chloride (salt) pollution in our waterways. He’ll demonstrate different types of water softeners and conditioners available to soften efficiently while saving water, salt and money.
Steve Yessie, City of Guelph Water Department, will discuss the Guelph perspective of household softener use, the benefits and challenges of water softeners, as well as ways to reduce related water and salt use.
Salty Softeners, Salty Rivers
Wednesday , Nov. 10, 2021
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
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Join us as we host:

Wayne Brabazon| Water Efficiency Technologist, Region of Waterloo
Wayne has worked for the Region of Waterloo for 23 years in a range of water services positions. Currently he is the Region’s Water Efficiency Technologist and works extensively with commercial, institutional and industrial (CII) business-sector water users. This role involves convincing businesses to move on, and commit to, water saving projects. CII water efficiency projects are varied and each project is dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Wayne’s technical knowledge to support the water efficiency position is based on an educational background in the sciences, business and computer systems.

Steve Yessie| Water Conservation Program Coordinator, City of Guelph
Steve Yessie has worked in the sustainability field for the past 7 years. In 2018, he joined the Water Conservation and Efficiency team with the City of Guelph. In his role at the City Steve coordinates the Multi-Residential Water Audit and Water Sub-Meter Rebate programs. In addition to these programs he focuses much of his time toward community education. This finds Steve leading tours of the local Water Services facility and in front of classrooms at schools across the City discussing source protection, conservation, efficiency and best practices related to water.
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The sponsors of this event:

Talk as if Climate Change Matters
2022-02-09 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Online, eMERGE , ON, Canada
eMERGE hosts Katharine Hayhoe, one of Time Magazine’s ‘100 Most Influential People’.
Communicating climate change to motivate action has been a challenge.
The scientific community continues to provide more evidence that we need to act now. This approach can however, paralyze some into inaction.
Research has shown that there is a better way.
Katharine Hayhoe will join us in sharing what social science teaches us on how to talk about climate change. Values, ethics, and compassion, more than facts, are the key to success.

About Katharine Hayhoe
Katharine Hayhoe is an accomplished atmospheric scientist who studies climate change and why it matters to us here and now. She is also a remarkable communicator who has received the National Center for Science Education’s Friend of the Planet award, the American Geophysical Union’s Climate Communication Prize, the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service award, and been named to a number of lists including Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, Foreign Policy’s 100 Leading Thinkers, FORTUNE magazine’s World’s Greatest Leaders and the United Nations Champion of the Earth in Science and Innovation.
Her writing has appeared in a broad range of outlets including the New York Times, Wired, O Magazine, and Chatelaine. Her TED talk, “The most important thing you can do to fight climate change: talk about it” has nearly 4 million views and her most recent book is “Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World,” published by Simon & Schuster and available in Guelph at the Bookshelf.
Katharine has served as lead author on the Second, Third, and Fourth National Climate Assessments. She also hosts and produces the PBS Digital Series, Global Weirding, and serves on advisory committees for a broad range of organizations including the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, the Earth Science Women’s Network, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Katharine serves as Chief Scientist for The Nature Conservancy and she is also a Paul W. Horn Distinguished Professor and the Political Science Endowed Professor in Public Policy and Public Law at Texas Tech University. She has a B.Sc. in Physics from the University of Toronto and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science from the University of Illinois and has been awarded honorary doctorates from Colgate University and Victoria University at the University of Toronto.
To access Katharine’s books, click here!
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Saving-Us/Katharine-Hayhoe/9781982143831
To get Katharine’s book from a local book store, visit this link the Bookshelf.

Women's EV Night
2022-03-08 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Online, eMERGE , ON, Canada
Celebrate International Women’s Day at the eMERGE Women’s EV Night
For women by women.
When it comes to buying an electric vehicle (EV), it still appears to be a man’s world. In fact, up to 70% of EVs are purchased by men, despite typical car ownership falling along typical gender lines.
We know that more women tend to be early ‘environmental adopters’ than men. That doesn’t appear to be the case when it comes to EVs .
In this webinar, all of our experts are women.
Over 8,000 new vehicles are sold in Guelph every year, but very few are electric. Every EV that’s purchased (instead of a gas or diesel vehicle) reduces greenhouse gas emissions by over 4 tonnes per year. That’s massive.
This webinar is designed to help ‘normalize’ the idea of new and used EV ownership for women. This will be informative, casual and fun without getting too far down in the weeds.
We’re bringing together one of the country’s leading experts on EVs: Cara Clairman, Chief Executive Officer from Plug’nDrive. She’ll be joined by local EV owners Mary Cameron and Beverley Fretz, our eMERGE EV Ambassadors. They have made significant contributions in their careers, their impacts on the environment and their families.
By the end of this webinar, we want women to feel more comfortable in taking EV ownership seriously. Consider it an icebreaker.
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In celebration of International Women’s Day, all local registrants will receive a chance to win a water heater blanket. Raffle Draw closes March 8, 2022 at 6:00 PM. Registrants will have their names entered into a draw to win a water heater blanket for their home. Note: winner must be able to pick up the water heater blanket in Guelph
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Join us for the
eMERGE Women’s EV night:
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
With our presenters:

Cara Clairman Chief Executive Officer, Plug’n Drive
Mary Cameron, eMERGE EV Ambassador
Beverley Fretz , eMERGE EV Ambassaror

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About our presenters:

Cara Clairman , CEO of Plug’n Drive
CARA CLAIRMAN is President and CEO of Plug’n Drive, a non-profit that is accelerating the deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) to maximize their environmental and economic benefits.
Cara has taken Plug’n Drive from an idea to a thriving non-profit, recognized as a leader in the EV space. In 2018 Plug’n Drive’s Electric Vehicle Discovery Centre was selected as Canada’s 2019 Top Project by the Clean 50 Community.
Cara has more than 20 years of experience working in the environmental and sustainability fields, including 12 years working at Ontario Power Generation, initially as OPG’s environmental lawyer and later in the role Vice President of Sustainable Development. Prior to joining OPG, Cara spent five years practicing environmental law with the Torys law firm.
She holds a Bachelor of Laws from Osgoode Hall and a Masters in Environmental Studies from York University, as well as an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from Queen’s University.
Cara is the 2017 recipient of the Women in Renewable Energy’s ‘Woman of the Year’ award. She is currently driving the 100% electric Tesla Model 3.
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eMERGE EV Ambassadors:
– Mary Cameron, eMERGE EV Ambassador, Chevy Bolt (used)

Mary has been helping us through the pandemic as an ER doctor and vaccinator in the ICU at Guelph General Hospital. At the same time she’s raising 4 kids and says “I used to be the one to teach them everything, but more and more the roles have reversed and my kids teach me so much.”
When it comes to the environment, she’s been eating more of a plant based diet with dairy and meat only as an occasional treat, and has planted about 100 trees (provided by Trees for Guelph) in her yard over the past several years. She is also in the midst of renovating their house to be heated with an electric air source heat pump. Her husband also decided to buy a used EV after seeing the benefits of Mary’s car.
Her household includes a cat, a dog, 5 backyard chickens and tens of thousands of honeybees (but the bees stay outside).
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Beverley Fretz, eMERGE EV Ambassador – Nissan Leaf (used)

Beverley has spent her career working in education and training and is now at the University of Guelph as a Manager of Program Development for OpenEd Continuing Education.
The Volkswagen ‘dieselgate’ scandal provided her with the perfect opportunity to trade in her VW diesel for a used (2014) EV Leaf. While she regrets not getting an EV with more range, the more humble Leaf does the trick for local ‘out and abouts’. And she can even fit her family of five – and the dog – in the car.
While hoping the future will include another used EV vehicle with more range, Beverley can’t imagine ever driving a gas vehicle again. She recommends EV driving for anyone who wants to reduce their environmental impact, save money, access the best parking spots (EV charging stations), and drive a vehicle that heats instantly (a winter bonus!).
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Aleena Singh, Moderator
As a UX/UI Designer, she works with small businesses helping them leverage technology to thrive during the pandemic and afterwards. Aleena joined eMERGE Board of Directors last January 2021 and since then she is an active member with an outstanding contribution to our organization .
In her spare time she’s passionate about nature, gardening and considers herself a “serial hobbyist” (apparently that has nothing to do with Cheerios). She has just completed her first embroidery project, crocheted a blanket, knitted a sweater that’s taken more than 3 years and is now learning how to restore furniture!
Nature and gardening have a special place in her heart. She’s in the process of hiking the Bruce Trail, tried cross-country skiing this winter and planning to grow fruit, flowers and vegetable garden on her small balcony this summer.
She’s excited about being on the board because she “loves the impact eMERGE has within the Guelph community. It’s constantly working to help Guelphites learn about how to take action towards 100% renewable energy! I’m passionate about supporting local, engaging our youth in environmental stewardship, diversity and inclusion, and social justice.”
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Why is eMERGE pushing EVs?
There are many ways to fight climate change.
But when it comes to transportation planning our approach at eMERGE is quite clear. Society has to take an approach that prioritizes 1) walking and then 2) cycling followed by 3) electrified public transit and finally 4) electrified personal transportation (cars).

ICE vehicles have no place in this century. The quicker we can take them off the road the better. Implementing transportation plans takes time and needs to be done properly. While the planning is ongoing, we need to accelerate the switch to EVs.
Over 8,000 new cars are sold in Guelph every year. Getting these car buyers to make the change to an EV gives us results now. Each purchase means that we cut four tonnes of climate change pollution per year. This approach buys us some time to keep pushing the envelope on transportation planning at the same time.

Rainwater Harvesting
2022-03-24 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Online, eMERGE , ON, Canada
From summer rain barrels to 4 season systems
Imagine using rain from your rooftop to water your garden, wash your clothes and even flush your toilets.
Learn how you can buy a rain barrel from the City of Guelph and access rebates up to $2,000 for whole home rain water harvesting systems. This can be your first step to register your home for the Blue Built Home program.
While people usually start with rain barrels for outdoor use, some realize the opportunity is much greater than just a couple of 200 litre containers. What if we stored 1,000 – 2,000 litres or much more, to use year round inside and outside our homes.
The process may seem daunting at first. But, the reduction in your monthly water consumption and benefits to the environment can be well worth it.
Join us as we explore the options from seasonal rain barrels to year round rainwater harvesting systems:
Rainwater Harvesting
Thursday , March 24, 2022
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Our Rain Water Experts include:

Stephanie Shouldice, City of Guelph , Blue Built Homes
Evan Bell, WaterFarmers Urban Agriculture
Larry Pomerantz, RainBarrel.ca
Ben Morrison, Clean Flo

The sponsors of this event:

Electric Car Test Drives
2022-06-05 10:00 - 17:00 UTC | 10C, 42 Carden Street, Guelph, ON, Canada
Gas prices got you down?
Of course, we’d prefer that you take active transportation or public transit. But if you’re still looking for an excellent alternative, how about an electric vehicle (EV)?
eMERGE Guelph is hosting EV test drives and EV101 classes (registration required) that make you eligible for up to $2,000 used EV rebates and $5,000 in new EV rebates. All this for free with our friends from PlugnDrive and Alectra/Guelph Hydro
Test drive one of three EVs on site and attend an EV 101 seminar. This one hour short course looks at everything you need to know to buy an EV, new or used. Taking part in both a test drive and EV 101 class will also make you eligible for up to a $2,000 in used EV rebates from PlugnDrive.
To register your spot for the EV101 Seminar and test drive click on the links below.
eMERGE EV 101
Register for 11:00am – noon
Register for 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Register for 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Electric Car Test Drives (registration only on site)
10:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday, June 5th, 2022
42 Carden St Guelph.

Up to 8,000 new vehicles are sold in Guelph each year, while very few are electric. Every EV that’s purchased (instead of a gas or diesel vehicle) reduces greenhouse gas emissions by over 3 tonnes per year. That’s massive.
All of this will help you understand:

The financial and environmental benefits of Electric Vehicles (EVs)
Key considerations when purchasing an EV
Understanding EV charging public and private
Lessons learned through case study examination
How Plug’n Drive’s Used EV and Scrappage Program works

There are two different EV rebates available:

Up to $2,000 Used EV Rebate from Plugn’Drive
Up to $5,000 New EV Rebate from the federal government

Come downtown and check out different EV models, chat with EV owners. Bring your questions about buying, driving, and owning an electric car.
Check out this blog: Guelph buying gas- guzzlers at alarming rate

“WHY IS eMERGE PUSHING FOR EVs?

There are many ways to fight climate change.
But when it comes to transportation planning our approach at eMERGE is quite clear. Society has to take an approach that prioritizes 1) walking and then 2) cycling followed by 3) electrified public transit and finally 4) electrified personal transportation (cars).
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eMERGE EV Curious Event:
June 5th 2022 10am – 5pm
Free Test Drives: June 5th- 10 am to 5pm
EV 101 Sessions June 5th 11am, 1pm, 3pm
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Contact:
Evan Ferrari, Executive Director
519-763-2652
evan@emergeguelph.ca
42 Carden St Guelph

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Background

About Plug ‘N’ Drive
Plug’n Drive is a non-profit organization committed to accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles to maximize their environmental and economic benefits.
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This event is sponsored by

2022 eMERGE Ecomarket
2022-10-28 16:00 - 2022-10-29 19:30 UTC | ON
We’re back and celebrating our lucky13th anniversary!
The eMERGE EcoMarket will be attracting up to 5,000 people to Downtown Guelph’s Old Quebec Street Shoppes (map), welcoming families and residents looking to discover their path to environmental living!
This is an excellent opportunity for your organization to promote your environmental work. It will connect you with an audience primed for sustainable options that are looking to reduce their impact on the environment and fight climate change.
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Friday Oct 28
– eMERGE EcoMarket – 4:00pm – 7:30 pm
Saturday Oct 29
– eMERGE EcoMarket -10:00am – 3:00 pm
http://ecomarketguelph.com/
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Questions? Please don’t hesitate to contact Rasha Abusitta, Event Coordinator, at 519.763.2652 or by email at rasha@emergeguelph.ca
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About eMERGE
eMERGE Guelph Sustainability fights climate change to build a healthier society. It does this by helping people reduce energy and water use.
Promoting smart behavior, policy and improved efficiency helps Guelph build a road map to achieve 100% renewable energy long before 2050. This has the added benefit of a healthier community and a more resilient local economy.
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Our sponsors:

The City of Guelph – Water
Old Quebec Street Shoppes
Downtown Guelph

Women's EV Night
2024-03-07 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Toronto) | ON
10C Shared Space, 42 Carden Street, Guelph

Celebrate International Women’s Week at the eMERGE Women’s EV Night!

For women by women.

When it comes to buying an EV (electric vehicle), it still appears to be a man’s world. Up to 70% of EVs were purchased by men, despite typical car ownership falling evenly along gender lines.

We know that more women tend to be early “environmental adopters” than men. That doesn’t appear to be the case when it comes to EVs. We want to change that trend.

The Women’s EV Night will be informative, informal, and fun with lots of discussion. Our eMERGE EV Ambassadors – local women who own an EV – will be sharing their experiences and expertise, and answering any questions you have about owning and operating an EV.

We want to help “normalize”’ the idea of new and used EV ownership for women. Over 7,000 new vehicles are sold in Guelph every year, but very few are electric. Every EV that’s purchased (instead of a gas or diesel vehicle) reduces greenhouse gas emissions by over 3 tonnes per year. That’s massive! It means cleaner air for all of us to breathe, and a healthier, safer world as we become part of the solution.

By the end of this event, we want women to feel more comfortable with taking EV ownership seriously. Consider it an EV 101 class (without the assignments!)

Join us!

Meet some of our previous EV Ambassadors

EV Ambassador Karen Maitland

EV Ambassadors Mary Cameron

EV Ambassador Beverley Fretz

EV Ambassador Sya Van Geest

EV Ambassador Karen Rathwell

EV Ambassador Lisa Mactaggart

EV Ambassador Julie Horrocks

Shirley Hunt eMERGE EV Program Coordinator

Energy Coaching for Homeowners
2024-03-21 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Toronto) | ON
Ready to upgrade your home’s energy efficiency but puzzled by EnerGuide recommendations?With our Energy Coaching for Homeowners, you can navigate your energy audit results and collaborate effectively with contractors. This interactive seminar is designed for homeowners who have completed their initial EnerGuide assessment.

It will help you:

decode your report.

understand your options – including heat pumps and solar.

and prioritize your energy retrofit projects.

Join eMERGE and take action toward a more sustainable household.

During registration, please share your top three questions or concerns about your energy projects.

Registration is limited to 20 participants

Register here: Energy Coaching for Homeowners

Energy Coaching for Homeowners
2024-06-19 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Toronto) | ON
Ready to upgrade your home’s energy efficiency but puzzled by EnerGuide recommendations?With our Energy Coaching for Homeowners, you can navigate your energy audit results and collaborate effectively with contractors. This interactive seminar is designed for homeowners who have completed their initial EnerGuide assessment.

It will help you:

decode your report.

understand your options – including heat pumps and solar.

and prioritize your energy retrofit projects.

Join eMERGE and take action toward a more sustainable household.

During registration, please share your top three questions or concerns about your energy projects.

Registration is limited to 20 participants

Register here: Energy Coaching for Homeowners

Energy Coaching for Homeowners

7:00 pm Wednesday June 19, 2024

10C – 42 Carden Street, Guelph

Field Trip to a Net Zero Community!
2024-06-22 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Toronto) | ON
NetZero energy communities aren’t something of the future. They’re already here.

And there’s much more than just solar panels of rooftops

Join eMERGE as we explore West5, a 70-acre NetZero energy community in London: “Ontario’s first neighbourhood powered by the sun.”

West5 takes a walkable, mixed use – live, work, play – approach to net zero energy. This includes: residential living, retail, commercial and public spaces.

Join us as we carpool to London where Derek Satnik of S2E Technologies will guide us through the West5 development.

West5 London Field Trip

Saturday June 22, 2024

9:00 am – Depart Guelph – 3:00 PM arrive back in Guelph

Itinerary:

8:48am – Meet at Stone Road Mall near Beer Town Restaurant)

9:00 am – SHARP – Depart for London

10:45am – Arrive at WEST 5

1:30pm – Depart West5 for Guelph

3:00 pm – Arrive back in Guelph

Technical Background:

High performance building design

West5 Sustainability

Register Here
