The Fraser Basin Council’s Transportation Demand Management toolkit offers advice on how to expand sustainble transportation options and reduce vehicle use in small to mid-size communities. It includes 10 case studies that show how bicycle programs, intercommunity transit, carpooling, car-sharing and parking strategies are successfully implemented in communities in B.C. Find the full toolkit here.
Sharon Roling
Digging for victory: Britain’s food revolution
The U.K. has committed to a massive increase in domestic food production to feed growing populations, and intends to play a full part in meeting the U.N. target of raising food production by 70% by 2050. This new commitment to self-sufficiency raises questions from environmental groups, who fear that unsustainable rates of agricultural intensification will harm wildlife and deplete natural resources. Read the full story in The Independent.
Canada: Site 41 Approval ‘Hypocritical’
The province of Ontario made its final approval for the Site 41 landfill only one day after passing the Clean Water Act, which some see as hypocritical. Landfills are notorious polluters, and have the pose potential risks to the surrounding environment and water systems. Proponents of the Site 41 plan maintain that this landfill operation is necessary due to declining capacities at nearby landfills, and will ensure that residential waste is kept within the North Simcoe jurisdiction. Read the full story at The Polaris Institute.
“Buy American” bogeyman: Instead of fretting about US purchasing policies, we should focus on stimulating Canada’s economy
Blair Redlin of the Canadian Centre for Policy Altnernatives (CCPA) argues that the biggest threat to the Canadian economy and job market is apparently the U.S. government’s “Buy American” provisions. Stephen Harper is telling Canadians that in order to entice the U.S. to give up these provisions and maintain trade agreements, Canadian municipalies and provincial governments should voluntarily restrict their ability to purchase local goods or services. Read the full story at the CCPA website.
Portland’s Bicycle Brilliance
Portland, Oregon is an urban cyclist utopia. Smart city planning, some of the strictest land-use laws in North America and consultation with cycling groups now allow almost 30% of residents to claim cycling as their primary or secondary mode of transportation. Vancouver has the potential to become a world class bike city, however it first needs better infrastructure that emphasizes “low stress” bikeways and caters to cyclist safety. Read the full story in The Tyee.
B.C. First Nation unveils solar power project
The T’Sou-ke First Nation in Sooke has become the largest solar energy producing community in B.C. Solar energy will power a large portion of the community’s infrastructure and provide hot water tanks to a nearby village. The band aims to adopt more green initiatives in the future, and are looking at wind power and organic farming. Find out more here.
No mayor, no vote: UBC students criticize Translink structure
UBC students have criticized Translink’s failure to represent campus residents in transit planning processes. The UBC campus, which has a population of 11 000, is currently the second greatest transit destination in the region, and members of the UBC Alma Mater Society (AMS) are asking for an elected member of the Mayor’s Council to represent the campus. Read the full article at The Tyee.
Regional politicians want say on Translink plan
Translink’s 30-year long-term plan, called Transport 2040, sets broad goals for reducing greenhouse gases and increasing the use of transit, cycling, and walking. To achieve this system, Translink says it needs $450 million in new funding. Translink has proposed the option of using new property taxes to fund the plan, however regional mayors are strongly opposed to this idea. Read the full story at The Tyee.
Local Government Operations GHG Protocol
The Local Government Operations (LGO) Protocol is a set of program-neutral greenhouse gas protocol designed to allow local governments to quantify and report emissions. It helps local governments to provide standardized information regarding emissions rates, and allows for better scientific observations to be made. Find the full set of protocol here.
Victoria, BC Latest Transition Town
Victoria is taking the Transition Initiative by working to address peak oil and climate change issues, in an effort to enhance community sustainability and resiliency. To date the Victoria Region Transition Initiative (VRTI) has participated in public forums, given presentations, provided film screenings, and completed a Strategic Plan. Get more information on the VRTI here.
Community Earth Councils Website
YOU ARE BRILLIANT, AND THE EARTH IS HIRING” – Paul Hawken
Community Earth Councils (CECs) are groups of elders (50+) and youth (16-28) working together to
address global environmental and social challenges at the local level. CECs build community, helping young people find meaning and purpose while providing elders with a way to give back, inspire, and impact the future. Participants in a CEC explore how, together, they can bring vision into action.
First, however, they spend time getting to know each other, sharing their stories, hopes, and aspirations. They then explore possible projects for addressing a community need, possibly by partnering with other individuals and/or organizations. After a period of planning, they move to implementation, working shoulder to shoulder.
As they collaborate in service, elders and youth develop a strong appreciation for the gifts that each one brings. They engage in mutual mentoring, fostering individual growth and weaving a strong social fabric. Over time, a CEC may take on many projects for the common good, helping to improve the social and environmental wellbeing of their communities. But the benefits to members are no less significant. Along with the deep sense of purpose and fulfillment that comes from helping others, both youth and elders experience the warmth, energy, and joy of the community they’ve created.
Population Health: the New Agenda
Your health is not defined soley by your physical attributes – it also includes aspects of your social life and environment. Watch the video “Population Health: The New Agenda” to learn more about the social determinants of health.