What Is St. James Town Doing To Be Environmentally Sustainable?

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St. Jamestown is located on the northeast side of the downtown Toronto area, the high populated community is filled with high-rise buildings and constant construction. With so much city life in the neighborhood, do the people in the community take notice of the environment around them? Why is it so important to keep a sustainable environment around us, and what is St. Jamestown doing to help?

Having a well-sustainable environment is very important to the community. Conserving natural resources can protect global and local ecosystems and contribute to ones’ health and well-being. In St. Jamestown, there are not many green spaces in the community. On top of that, streets are filled with litter and unwanted garbage. This litter, whether on sidewalks or near housing buildings, reflects on the community and gives a negative impression of the neighborhood. Environmental sustainability at the local level should focus on how residents should take care of their carbon footprint and what resources can the community provide for their needs.

Community Climate Action (CCA) is an organization that works in St. James Town. Their goal is to create a more healthy, secure, and accessible neighborhood by discussing solutions, taking action, and voicing opinions of members in the neighborhood related to the environment. The Community Climate Action (CCA) is a program that started through the Rethink Sustainability Initiatives (RSI) an organization that encourages members of St. James Town to take initiative into their community and build leadership skills.

One community clean up participant mentioned she took part of the Rethink program where she got involved with the Community Climate Action organization. Now she is growing plants and vegetables and connecting with others in the St. James Town neighbourhood. In her opinion it’s a great way to build community spirit and impact on environmental sustainability.

“ people became more understanding on what went into production of our food, it was a way for people to see how they can empower themselves by growing their own food “ -Piper

There are so many activities related to environment sustainability that goes on in St. James Town that occurs behind the residential buildings, that residents are doing to keep their surroundings clean and healthy? As a result, more residents are involved in reuse, reduce, recycle efforts and there are more bins outside and inside of the buildings. It’s the actions of the people that determine the cleanliness in the neighborhood, if people don’t choose to care about the environment there won’t be much change to see in the community.

“They gave us our own recycle bin for each household I’ve been using mine, I’m not sure if others have though” - Bob Martin

“Everyone is a human being regardless who you are, if you want to just make this world a beautiful place to be, we can work together” - Evette .

St. James Town is working on many activities related to creating an environmental sustainable community, including providing information, education and materials to residents. However, at the end of the day, it’s up to residents themselves, to care and to make a change in St. James Town.

 

Written by
Jabin Haque

Journalist
FOCUS Media Arts Centre


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