GC 2020
657 results found
-
Remove more Grass in Public Parks and Plant More Shrubs and Trees
Our community parks are covered with grass fields. Some are used as playing fields for playing soccer, baseball, cricket etc. Others just exist for picnics, impromptu ball games and for their own sake.
These grassy fields take too much work! Large machines mow the grass every few weeks, spread earth, sand, seed and lime and aerate the soil. Around the fields there is another large machine that gathers up and mashes leaves in the fall. Then there are countless smaller machines working the perimeter of the fields and on the boulevard. They are manned by Parks Board employees who are…
15 votes -
nTio2
Replace power washers by employing the green techology of the self cleaning coating "nano Titanium Dioxide (nTiO2).
It's a better way to keep buildings clean while protecting the environment and it's available here in the lower mainland.1 voteWhile we don’t have information about this product, an education program that includes the appropriate use of power washers and alternatives to their use is part of the Draft Greenest City Action Plan.
-
Recycled Plastic Lumber
Use recycled plastic lumber rather than IPE hardwoods on park benches and picnic tables. The plastic can be sourced locally reducing waste going into the landfills and creating local jobs. The Plastic is easier to maintain reducing maintenance costs
1 vote -
Reduce speed limit to 30 kph within downtown core
In terms of street capacity, 30-39 kph is the optimal speed range. As well, pedestrians hit at 48 kph are are NINE times more likely to die than if struck at 32 kph. Streets will function better and be safer for pedestrians at lower speeds.
2 votes -
Buying locally should not only include food but all items
I heard rumours that the City choose to purchase material for the seawall reconsturction that requires shipping from China, I wonder how much GHG are used for shipping? . Again City Internal operations need to walk the talk and set the example and be leaders.
7 votes -
Mandatory soil volume requirements for street trees
Large mature trees provide 70% more economic and environmental services than small trees.
It takes 25m3 of uncompacted soil to grow a large 40cm diameter tree.
The city needs to mandate soil volume requirements to get the trees that will provide all of the environmental values that we look for from trees - shade, stormwater reduction, air pollution reduction, energy savings...
"Nearly all of the associated problems result from one underlying cause: loss of the water-retaining and evapotranspirating functions of the soil and vegetation in the urban landscape" EPA commissioned report - Urban Management in the US.200864 votes -
Gardens on apartment property
Most 3-storey walk-up apartment buildings have boring empty front lawns. These lawns could be replaced either with garden plots for the inhabitants, or with landscaping of native plantings to provide habitat for birds and insects. Create a system so that if the people in that specific building weren't interested in gardening, their plot would be assigned to other neighbourhood gardeners. (Since you wouldn't want to replace boring lawns with even more boring empty plots of earth/weeds.)
81 votesSeveral private apts and co-ops already have gardens. This is done at the discretion of the land-owner.
-
Cleanup and Steward the Local Beaches and Riverfront
Before 1850 the shores of Vancouver were pristine filled with plant and animal life. Streams ran easily into the ocean and the estuaries and deltas were a rich in a mix of fresh and seawater which encouraged even more rich ecosystems.
Today the shoreline of Vancouver is a shadow of its former self. While we cannot bring back the richness of what was 150 years ago, we can cleanup more of the shoreline to make it more habitable for fish and sealife. Guaranteed if this happened the life would return in greater numbers.
Neighbourhoods could “adopt a shoreline” and keep…
11 votes -
Protect our coast & inlets. Being green requires being blue when you live on the coast.
We can't be the greenest city in the world without taking care of our coast and ocean area. We need: urban marine protected areas; strict regulations for oil tankers; habitat enhancement; the best sewage treatment in the world; pesticide bans; beach clean-ups; and a beach culture that revers the ocean and what it provides us!
72 votes -
create incentives for every homeowner to install Photovoltaics, Wind Turbines, or Solar Hot Water
We have to have a GREEN REVOLUTION to really make a difference in our attempt to be "Sustainable". We have to remove our dependence on fossil fuels. Every home could generate enough power to run most of its appliances. We need a smart grid.
Read "Hot, Flat and Crowded" by Thomas Friedman.
"10 easy steps for a green future" - sorry, some sacrifice is required....
64 votesVancouver’s Solar Homes Pilot is offering $4300 towards the cost of solar hot water systems in Vancouver – this is roughly 50 per cent of the cost of a system. The funding is available to 30 homes on a first come, first served basis. In order to qualify for the rebate, your system must be installed by December 31, 2010.
Beginning January 1, 2011, we will be offering $3,000 towards the cost of a qualifying system. Systems must be installed by February 15, 2011.
Will consider extension of program to other areas/technologies.
Details here: http://vancouver.ca/sustainability/SolarHomes.htm
-
Encourage geo-thermal power and heating technology for new and existing neighbourhoods
Geo-thermal technology could heat a large number of Vancouver homes and reduce the amount of natural gas and electricity being consumed.
28 votes -
Support collective housing
Support the development of collective housing- support landlords that rent to collective houses and create supports to allow collective houses to own their buildings.
Adult, children and pets living collectively pool their time and resources to implement practices that reduce their environmental footprint and support everyone's quality of life.2 votesThe City can influence land use and zoning policy, however collective housing really requires people to come together with this objective and commitment.
-
Ensure City of Vancouver buildings/events only serve vegan food.
The production of plant-based foodstuff is far better for the environment than animal products, which are one of the leading causes of climate change. The City should lead by example, and ban animal products at any event they cater - ie meetings, catered food for staff, event food.
31 votesLow footprint food choices are not the same as vegan food choices in all cases, the analysis is more complex than this. Generally a low footprint diet is local, seasonal food, and limits consumption of red meat, dairy, and some grains. We will look for opportunities to offer low footprint choices in City facilities.
-
Reduce funding for car-friendly infrastructure
There are two sides to encouraging more people to leave their cars at home (or not buy one in the first place): 1) make alternative modes of transportation cheap and efficient 2) make driving more inconvenient and costly. I suggest that the city of Vancouver set a goal of progressively decreasing the percentage of the budget set aside for expanding and maintaining roadways for automobiles. The money that is saved should go directly towards affordable housing near the city center, better transit, and more bike paths. Once more people have switched to alternative modes of transit, existing roadways could be…
5 votes -
change building code to allow ventilated service areas
Apartments and condos would have ventilated service areas, where people would be able to hang clothes on clotheslines, instead of using electrical driers all year long for drying any amount of clothing. Also, a tank with tap for manual washing of small loads of clothing will save water and will add up to hygiene.
1 voteWhile not specifically addressed in the draft Greenest City Action Plan, this strategy will be consider as a means of promoting conservation
-
Provide a one-stop clearing house for information relating to local food in Vancouver.
A local food directory could support residents in participating in the local food economy, advising them of all the various initiatives that are going on relating to food production, processing and retail in Vancouver.
6 votesThis idea is in the draft Greenest City Action Plan
-
Congestion Pricing Downtown
Price motor vehicles entering the metropolitan core. Congestion pricing will reduce the number of motor vehicle converging on the Downtown every morning, and will make lane re-allocations and pedestrianised streets an easier process due to reduced demand for road space.
54 votesThe City supports the idea of road / congestion pricing, and bridge tolls are one possible implementation. A regional (as opposed to a downtown or city) approach might work best, given travel behaviour, patterns of movement, and jurisdictional issues. This lies outside City jurisdiction, so our role is limited to advocacy; changes to Provincial legislation are required.
-
Work with surrounding cities and Translink to improve commuter transportation
Commuting to and from Vancouver is a huge source of pollution, gas consumption and energy waste. It's great if Vancouver does a lot of smaller things to make it a greener city, but if the issue of commuter waste is not addressed, then calling itself the greenest city might be a little fluffy. Commuting is not going to go away - how could it be better? By using existing rail lines for commuter trains. Building skytrain service further out into the Valley and White Rock. Organize carpool companies that will match commuter needs. We must get the cars with single…
42 votes -
62 votes
The City has an existing pilot incentive program for solar hot water. Incentives and financial tools to support the proliferation of renewable energy is included in the draft Greenest City Action Plan. Details here: http://vancouver.ca/sustainability/SolarHomes.htm
-
Car-free Sundays for Stanley Park in the summer
Far more pedestrians and cyclists use Stanley Park in the summertime than drivers. Sundays should be car-free.
5 votes
