So Canmoreans, could you get behind such a resolution? If such a commitment is made, it has many implications, not the least of which is financial. When it is difficult to convince folks to stop burning wood, because the smoke hurts their neighbour, how do we get such a resolution to have traction? The Right To A Healthy Environment Whereas the Town of Canmore understands that people are part of the environment, and that a healthy environment is inextricably linked to the well‐being of our community; The Town of Canmore finds and declares that: 1. All people have the right to live in a healthy environment, including: The right to breathe clean air. The right to drink clean water. The right to consume safe food. The right to access nature. The right to know about pollutants and contaminants released into the local environment. The right to participate in decision‐making that will affect the environment. 2. The Town of Canmore has the responsibility, within its jurisdiction, to respect, protect, fulfill and promote these rights. 3. The Town of Canmore shall apply the precautionary principle: where threats of serious or irreversible damage to human health or the environment exist, the Town of Canmore shall take cost effective measures to prevent the degradation of the environment and protect the health of its citizens. Lack of full scientific certainty shall not be viewed as sufficient reason for the MUNICIPALITY to postpone such measures 4. The Town of Canmore shall apply full cost accounting: when evaluating reasonably foreseeable costs of proposed actions and alternatives, the Town of Canmore will consider costs to human health and the environment. 5. By Dec 31st, 2015, the Town of Canmore shall specify objectives, targets and timelines and actions the Town of Canmore will take, within its jurisdiction, to fulfill residents’ right to a healthy environment, including priority actions to: a. Ensure equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens within the municipality, preventing the development of pollution “hot spots”; b. Ensure infrastructure and development projects protect the environment, including air quality; c. Address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing adaptation measures; d. Responsibly increase density; e. Prioritize walking, cycling and public transit as preferred modes of transportation; f. Ensure adequate infrastructure for the provision of safe and accessible drinking water; g. Promote the availability of safe foods; h. Reduce solid waste and promote recycling and composting; i. Establish and maintain accessible green spaces in all residential neighbourhoods. The Town of Canmore shall review the objectives, targets, timelines and actions every five (5) years, and evaluate progress towards fulfilling this declaration. The Town of Canmore shall consult with residents as part of this process.
Posted on: Sun, 30 Nov 2014 21:40:53 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015