Dear reader,
Are you currently experiencing stickiness, discomfort and an overwhelming desire to punch the sun in its smug face? Well, the good news is that the current heat wave is expected to break by tomorrow. The apocalyptic news is that increasingly unbearable heat waves like this one will keep coming unless we take drastic measures to reverse the climate crisis.
This imperative is top of mind at the Bentway. Its newest installation, Moving Forest, features 50 trees roving around the waterfront in shopping carts—saplings that will eventually get planted in lots across the city. The art is meant to remind Torontonians that the climate emergency is only getting worse, and the city needs solutions (like planting more shade-providing, rain-absorbing, animal-friendly trees) if it wants future summers to be anything other than smouldering.
Aside from dutifully taking in this exhibition, homeowners can help the cause by planting trees on their properties. The city’s forestry division has several programs giving away free flora and supplies—all you have to do is act.
Also in today’s newsletter: a billionaire who’s promising to build 3,000 GTA homes a year. And a chat with the owner of an internet-famous tree named Rodney.
