London, ON: One of Canada’s Greenest Cities‪?‬ London Environmental Network

In the final episode of our series, we’re looking at cycling in London. Molly talks with guests Ben Cowie (London Bicycle Café) and Luis Patricio (London Cycle Link) about cycling infrastructure and the goal of a connected grid of bike lanes for all ages and abilities.

We also discuss the surge in cycling during the pandemic; the City of London’s declaration of a climate emergency and the bicycle’s role in mitigating climate change; and cycling goals and visions beyond infrastructure.

The 3Rs have become 5Rs: refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle and rot. Or 6 if you add reimagine—and we are.

In this episode, Molly talks to Jay Stanford from the City of London, and delves into the City's waste collection programs—from landfill to recycling to composting—to find out what's happening to our waste. We then catch up with Heenal Rajani, co-founder of Reimagine Co and London's first zero waste grocery store, and consider links between community building and living a zero waste (or low waste) lifestyle.

In our second episode looking at local food growth in London, Ontario, Molly talks to Western University professor and community activator Dr. Gabor Sass about the various urban agriculture initiatives he's been involved with, and ways that individuals and community groups can support each other in growing more food in the city.

We also look into the City of London's Urban Agriculture Strategy, the opportunities it has made possible, and the exclusion of urban hens from the strategy. And we get excited about gardening and the benefits it offers.

In this first of two episodes looking at local food, we consider the goal of London becoming food self-sufficient.

Mariam Waliji talks about Urban Roots London (the city’s urban farm), On The Move Organics food box delivery program, and the Root Cellar restaurant, as well as food security and the effects of climate change and the pandemic on local food systems.

Mike Bloxam of the London Food Bank outlines the many food rescue programs and on-site growing projects underway at the London Food Bank, that made it the first food bank in Canada to offer 50% fresh food to clients.

In our second episode on Deshkan Ziibi, or the Thames River, we look at the river's health from a personal perspective. What effect can individuals have on water health?

First we hear from Barry Orr, sewer outreach and control inspector for the City of London. Barry explains how London's sewer and water treatment systems work, and dishes the dirt on Londoners' good and bad flushing habits.

Then we have a conversation with Indigenous educator Wahsayzee Deleary, in which Wahsayzee and Molly discuss the importance of building personal relationships with water and the river, through education, connection and prayer.

In the first of two episodes on Deshkan Ziibi, or the Thames River (which runs through the city of London) we look at the river’s health and the goal of being able to swim in, fish from and drink from the river safely.

With our guests, we consider the names of the river, it’s geography and health over time, and the current and future challenge of climate change. We talk about the sewage system and the problem of combined sewers and overflow. And we ask whose responsibility it is to keep the water clean, and who bears the brunt when it’s not.

Guests include: Emma Young and Brandon Graham from the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation’s Treaty, Lands and Environment team, Pat Donnelly from the City of London, and Karen Maaskant from the Upper Thames Valley Conservation Authority.