Adam went on to say Oakville has an obligation to do more to reduce its carbon footprint arguing it needs to adopt the more aggressive greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, set by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, of a 45 per cent reduction by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050.

Some measures Adam proposed included the re-evaluation of the town’s climate strategy, expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, the banning of single-use plastics by 2025, smarter development of new neighbourhoods, promoting green roofs and turning empty plots into green space.

Council heard from eight additional delegations, including representatives of the Oakvillegreen Conservation Association, Sheridan College and the Halton Environmental Network (HEN).

All speakers called on council to declare a climate change emergency.

Lisa Kohler of HEN said climate change is not a political issue, but rather a humanitarian issue.

“Our climate is changing fast. It is widespread and it has profound consequences for all living organisms,” she said.

“The challenge is ensuring the public understands that change is needed, that they feel empowered and they are ready to make the changes in their daily lives … We know the community feels somewhat overwhelmed. They truly need leadership. They need you.”

Rev. Mervyn Russell of Oakville’s Anglican Church of Incarnation noted that if his grandchildren and grandchildren everywhere are to enjoy stable, safe, satisfying lives, then everyone must commit to not only reducing the use and waste of carbon produced energy but to the replacement of carbon-based energy with renewable energy.

“My generation has made this mess with our unthinking acceptance of the commercial insistence upon continual consumer growth,” said Russell.

“Now my generation must help make the transition. Fortunately, our children and our grandchildren are already leading the way.”

Oakville Mayor Rob Burton emphasized that the town only has authority to reduce its own emissions.

He said even if the town reduced its emissions to zero, this would have little impact on the overall community’s carbon footprint.

“There are 211,000 of us,” said Burton.

“We all have to get involved.”

In reading the motion to declare a climate change emergency Ward 4 town Coun. Peter Longo noted Canada is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world.

He pointed out Oakville is already feeling the impacts of climate change in this year’s record high lake levels and flooding, in the ice storm of 2013 and in the effects of emerald ash borer and other invasive pests.

Council voted to pass the declaration unanimously.

The declaration also directs town staff to report annually on climate change actions and update the climate change strategy to address the operations of the municipality and identify the public’s role in the crisis and actions the community can take to fight climate change.

The motion also calls for the embedding of climate change policies within the Oakville Official Plan.

Town staff emphasized the town has been taking action to fight climate change for more than a decade.

Most recently the town has partnered with Sheridan College and the Oakville energy task force to develop a community energy plan.

When completed in 2020, town staff said, the plan will provide a pathway to help the town, residents and businesses work together to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions while strengthening the local economy.