657 results found

1. Plug the C02 holes.

   Most would agree that the biggest monster is climate change. If Vancouver is to be a leader in greening tech. and practices it would do well to show in a practical way what can be done now.
   On a massive scale, start installing solar hot water systems. Use economy scale to bring down the cost. Make it simple and share the knowledge with the rest of the world. Do a similar thing with car conversions. Pick a 100 different model autos, convert them, and post the process on a web page. Translate the findings to a dozen different languages and try to build momentum. Basically, renovate homes and cars and plug the carbon holes.

   Most would agree that the biggest monster is climate change. If Vancouver is to be a leader in greening tech. and practices it would do well to show in a practical way what can be done now.
   On a massive scale, start installing solar hot water systems. Use economy scale to bring down the cost. Make it simple and share the knowledge with the rest of the world. Do a similar thing with car conversions. Pick a 100 different model autos, convert them, and post the process on a web page. Translate the findings to a dozen different languages and… more

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   0 comments  ·  Reduce greenhouse gas emissions  ·  Delete…  ·  Admin →

2. Require Timer Light Swtiches & Motion Sensors for Lights in Building Code / Existing Bldg Retrofits

   It boggles the mind why in North America we light up our interior corridors, parkades and other common areas in buildings 24/7. Motion sensored lights in large parkades and common areas, and light switches on times in corridors and stairwells would keep people just as safe and give them light when it was needed, stopping the energy waste of having lights on all the time. It would also reinforce the conservation mentality that people might then bring into their homes as well.

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   0 comments  ·  Green existing buildings  ·  Delete…  ·  Admin →
   started  ·  AdminGreenest City Planning Team (Admin, CG2020) responded

   This is addressed in a retrofit pilot program

3. Travel Plan Partnerships

   Develop a City – Business- not for profit – Translink partnership, to implement a comprehensive travel plan for the area. Include ideas such as small business car share / transit pass co-ops, subsidised cycle equipment & training, cycle rickshaw taxis, timetabled walking school buses etc. Only through working on a large scale with a number of interconnected projects will things be successful. You can also bring in the Health Authority to promote the health benefits of active transport.

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   0 comments  ·  Travel predominately by foot, bike, and transit  ·  Delete…  ·  Admin →

4. Plasma Arc Waste Disposal

   Plasma Arc Waste Disposal (or Gasification) is a method of waste disposal used for its capability of recycling nearly every material that is put into it.

   Using clean electrical arcs, the GVRD could decompose any waste into its component elements. Carbon Dioxide would decompose into Carbon and Oxygen; plastics would decompose into Hydrogen, Carbon, and other base elements contained within; and organic wastes like food would decompose into Hydrogen, Oxygen, Carbon, Nitrogen, among numerous other elements.

   Metals and alloys can be separated into each component metal, allowing quicker and easier reuse and refabrication.

   "Plasma gasification is also used for specialized waste handling projects. In Bordeaux, France, plants designed by Europlasma are used to melt asbestos or vitrify fly ash, particulates that are a result of using incinerators to destroy waste. Fly ash can contain hazardous materials and traditionally have been stored in specialized landfills. Using a plasma torch facility, Europlasma can convert the ash into slag, where the heavy metals and other hazardous materials are rendered inert." [How Plasma Converters Work, by Jonathan Strickland, Page 5, http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/plasma-converter4.htm]

   http://www.plasmawastedisposal.com/

   http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/plasma-converter.htm

   http://www.plascoenergygroup.com/

   http://www.startech.net/

   http://www.europlasma.com/

   http://www.hitachi-metals.co.jp/e/index.html

   Plasma Arc Waste Disposal (or Gasification) is a method of waste disposal used for its capability of recycling nearly every material that is put into it.

   Using clean electrical arcs, the GVRD could decompose any waste into its component elements. Carbon Dioxide would decompose into Carbon and Oxygen; plastics would decompose into Hydrogen, Carbon, and other base elements contained within; and organic wastes like food would decompose into Hydrogen, Oxygen, Carbon, Nitrogen, among numerous other elements.

   Metals and alloys can be separated into each component metal, allowing quicker and easier reuse and refabrication.

   "Plasma gasification is also used for specialized… more

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   3 comments  ·  Reduce waste  ·  Delete…  ·  Admin →

5. Reduce/Stop Idling

   Strengthen the anti-idling bylaws to stop idling of all vehicles beyond 20 seconds. Advertise widely that the idling fumes are a poison to our lungs. Get the police and all service vehicles included, the police to sport anti-idling decals on their vehicles. People just don't think about idling, sitting waiting for people to get in or out of their cars, when on their cell phones etc. Pay for the advertising by fines.

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   1 comment  ·  Improve air quality  ·  Delete…  ·  Admin →
   AdminGreenest City Planning Team (Admin, CG2020) responded

   The City of Vancouver Bylaw #9344 prohibits idling beyond 3 minutes. The 3 minute limit balances enforceability, operational practicalities and engine wear considerations.

6. cut expenses, pay off debt, focus remaining resources on increased resilience

   We are heading into a severe worldwide economic depression. The root cause of this depression is that we have been living beyond our means and have built up more debt than can be repaid. The coming depression will be much worse than the 1930's because the debt levels today are much higher. Furthermore, we can expect the depression to be permanent because oil production has already peaked and will begin to decline in less than 5 years. This means that no further economic growth is possible and the economy will contract for many decades.

   The implications for the City of Vancouver are dramatically falling property prices and tax revenues, coupled with much higher demand for services due to rising unemployment. There is also significant risk of social unrest if the demand for basic services (water, food, shelter, security) cannot be met. And there is a risk of the city defaulting and being unable to provide services if it is unable to service its debt.

   Rather than reacting in a crisis mode, the city should proactively reduce expenses and pay off debt now. Whatever revenues remain should be focused on building resilience for the coming storm. Because the depression will collapse worldwide consumption of discretionary goods we can expect a rapid drop in CO2 emissions and therefore the city need not invest any precious funds in reducing its emissions.

   We are heading into a severe worldwide economic depression. The root cause of this depression is that we have been living beyond our means and have built up more debt than can be repaid. The coming depression will be much worse than the 1930's because the debt levels today are much higher. Furthermore, we can expect the depression to be permanent because oil production has already peaked and will begin to decline in less than 5 years. This means that no further economic growth is possible and the economy will contract for many decades.

   The implications for the City of… more

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   3 comments  ·  Off topic  ·  Delete…  ·  Admin →

7. Work with the Province and Feds to create more light rapid and mass transit to outlying GVRD areas.

   So much of our traffic comes from the outlying areas,even as far as Abbotsford. As housing in the downtown core continues to remain expensive many are seeing these areas as their best hope for a family scale living space. If we had high speed trains like in the city regions of the EU, Japan and other high density centres car dependency would be lessened and the region as a whole would be better serviced. Spend an afternoon in a traffic jam going east-west or west-east and I imagine you'll agree.

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   1 comment  ·  Travel predominately by foot, bike, and transit  ·  Delete…  ·  Admin →
   AdminGreenest City Planning Team (Admin, CG2020) responded

   Outside City jurisdiction. TransLink is continually looking at ways to improve transit throughout the region, but additional funding is needed to make progress. A number of regional projects and plans are under way, including the Evergreen Line, and South of Fraser Rapid Transit Study.

8. Kitchen Compost Containers for the counter to store household compost easily before collection day.

   Distribute conveniently-sized Kitchen Compost Containers made of recycled materials to Vancouver households to allow for easy and odourless storage of egg shells, uncooked fruit, veggies scraps, coffee grounds, filters and tea bags. A convenient storage place until collection day when compost materials can be dumped in the green bin!

   98 votes

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   6 comments  ·  Reduce waste  ·  Delete…  ·  Admin →

9. Community-led, City-funded Neighbourhood Beautification!

   Dedicate a City fund to neighbourhood beautification led by citizens. The city becomes more beautiful and residents have ownership over spaces in their neighbourhoods. A win-win approach with resilient outcomes.

   Projects could include: developing park spaces, recreation spaces, depaving, constructing community gardens, building simple community space infrastructure, creating public art, etc.

   Citizens would approach the City department with requests for beautification projects in their neighbourhoods providing project details and numbers of volunteers available. The City would assess the project for cost and effectiveness. If approved, the City would provide skilled supervisors, tools, a project schedule and infrastructure funding. The citizens would provide the beautification ideas and labour required.

   The City saves money on beautification by using volunteer citizen labour while citizens improve the livability of their neighbourhoods and create the spaces they want to live in!

   Dedicate a City fund to neighbourhood beautification led by citizens. The city becomes more beautiful and residents have ownership over spaces in their neighbourhoods. A win-win approach with resilient outcomes.

   Projects could include: developing park spaces, recreation spaces, depaving, constructing community gardens, building simple community space infrastructure, creating public art, etc.

   Citizens would approach the City department with requests for beautification projects in their neighbourhoods providing project details and numbers of volunteers available. The City would assess the project for cost and effectiveness. If approved, the City would provide skilled supervisors, tools, a project schedule and infrastructure funding. The citizens… more

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   1 comment  ·  Improve access to nature  ·  Delete…  ·  Admin →

10. Free Door to Door Efficiency Upgrades!

    Let's have teams of semi-skilled energy and water efficiency technicians provide at-your-door, free upgrade services. It's easy to be lazy when it comes to making our homes more energy and water efficient. Sometime we just need a kick in the pants!

    The City could partner with BC Hydro, Terasen Gas, the water utility, and other utilities and energy providers to establish teams of people that take energy/water efficiency information and products door-to-door. The neighbourhood visit schedules would be advertized and specific visits could be requested by citizens.

    Citizens would have a choice between products or could choose not to upgrade. The work would be done for them on the spot or at an agreed-upon time.

    Services and products provided could include:

    -efficient water fixtures (freely provided and installed)
    -efficient lightbulbs (freely provided and installed)
    -window caulking (freely provided and applied)
    -leak plugging (freely applied)
    -simple plumbing fixes (leaky taps, toilets, freely fixed)
    -appliance trade-in program facilitation (freely facilitated)
    -home energy systems upgrade program facilitation (freely facilitated)
    -window replacement program facilitation (freely facilitated)
    -educational information on products, cost savings, sustainability, City initiatives, etc.
    -etc.

    It is in the City's interest to engage in this program as over the long term it saves costs in providing potable water. It is in the energy utilities' interest as it saves them money that would be required to build new energy-producing infrastructure for the increasing population and energy use.

    Advertizing and promotion of the program is the key to its success. Offering additional incentives beyond home cost savings would also promote uptake.

    Let's have teams of semi-skilled energy and water efficiency technicians provide at-your-door, free upgrade services. It's easy to be lazy when it comes to making our homes more energy and water efficient. Sometime we just need a kick in the pants!

    The City could partner with BC Hydro, Terasen Gas, the water utility, and other utilities and energy providers to establish teams of people that take energy/water efficiency information and products door-to-door. The neighbourhood visit schedules would be advertized and specific visits could be requested by citizens.

    Citizens would have a choice between products or could choose not to upgrade.… more

    11 votes

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    1 comment  ·  Green existing buildings  ·  Delete…  ·  Admin →
    started  ·  AdminGreenest City Planning Team (Admin, CG2020) responded

    Not free, but we are creating financing tools and incentives to increase affordability of these upgrades

11. Cultural Sustainability Ambassadors

    Vancouver has one of the fastest growing immigrant populations in Canada. Each cultural population responds to municipally-led sustainability challenges or requirements differently. In some ways, different immigrant populations have more sustainable living knowledge and experience than the mainstream Vancouver culture, in some ways they have less.

    The City needs to engage different cultural communities uniquely, determining which approaches work best for which cultures to ensure the uptake of sustainability initiatives -which approaches will be meaningful to which communities.

    Examples of this include identify existing social leaders in cultural communities (ethnic, income, age, ability, gender, etc.) and support them in order to develop cultural community dialogue with the City that evolves to sustainability actions in their communities. Devote multiple municipal staff, each with insights and relationship with a particular cultural population, to engage with that population on sustainability issues relevant to that culture; working with importers and other jurisdictions to ensure that culturally-specific products (eg: food) are produced, transported, packaged and consumed sustainably; focusing on English as a Second Language and settlement services programs, which are often immigrants' first exposure to Vancouver, to start the sustainable lifestyle uptake early on.

    Specific, creative engagement with cultural communities can be a two-way educational dialogue that will benefit newcomers, the municipal government and Vancouver as they all move into a sustainable future together!

    Vancouver has one of the fastest growing immigrant populations in Canada. Each cultural population responds to municipally-led sustainability challenges or requirements differently. In some ways, different immigrant populations have more sustainable living knowledge and experience than the mainstream Vancouver culture, in some ways they have less.

    The City needs to engage different cultural communities uniquely, determining which approaches work best for which cultures to ensure the uptake of sustainability initiatives -which approaches will be meaningful to which communities.

    Examples of this include identify existing social leaders in cultural communities (ethnic, income, age, ability, gender, etc.) and support them in order… more

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    4 comments  ·  Lighter Footprint  ·  Delete…  ·  Admin →
    under review  ·  AdminGreenest City Planning Team (Admin, CG2020) responded

    This idea is included in draft Greenest City Action Plan, as well as more generally as a Greenest City Ambassadors program.

12. Improve traffic lights

    Improving how traffic lights work to create green waves on as many streets as possible not just the 1 ways. This will reduce traffic, accidents and CO2 emmisions and increase transit performance with fewer vehicles grid lock idling.

    Anyone who's sat at a red light for minutes on end in the middle of the night when there's no cross traffic can cheer on science for proving what we already knew: lights that adapt to the flow of traffic, instead of dictating the flow of traffic, can improve the flow of traffic. A team of researchers discovered that if you let lights locally decide how to time their signals based on how much traffic they're dealing with, and then communicate that with nearby lights, you get closer to the "green wave" of lights that keeps thing moving smoothly.

    The issue with the centralized, top-down system of control is that it is geared to address an average traffic situation that rarely occurs as planned. The variations in rush hour traffic mean that lights are trying to apply one solution to a vast number of situations. In their trial in Dresden, Germany the team found that traffic congestion was eased by nine percent, pedestrian congestion by 36 percent, and bus and tram traffic by 56 percent. With rush hours spreading in time and distance, the proof and implementation of this can't come soon enough.

    http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/23/study-traffic-lights-should-respond-to-cars-not-other-way-arou/

    Improving how traffic lights work to create green waves on as many streets as possible not just the 1 ways. This will reduce traffic, accidents and CO2 emmisions and increase transit performance with fewer vehicles grid lock idling.

    Anyone who's sat at a red light for minutes on end in the middle of the night when there's no cross traffic can cheer on science for proving what we already knew: lights that adapt to the flow of traffic, instead of dictating the flow of traffic, can improve the flow of traffic. A team of researchers discovered that if you let… more

    14 votes

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    2 comments  ·  Travel predominately by foot, bike, and transit  ·  Delete…  ·  Admin →

13. rickshaw stands at all outlying skytrain stations organized through a central dispatch service

    One of the largest obstacles to greater transit use for families, the elderly and people with baggage is the few blocks between home and a station. A rickshaw service located at each outlying station would facilitate access for these users. The short trips and high volume would result in reasonable rates. Existing communication technology would create an efficient and accessible dispatch system.

    13 votes

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    2 comments  ·  Travel predominately by foot, bike, and transit  ·  Delete…  ·  Admin →

14. Celebrate water! Rain water, river water, ocean water -- let's treat it like we love it!

    Some ideas for celebrating water might include...

    • Making beautiful rain-powered water sculptures as public art
    • "Daylighting" our lost creeks
    • Creating new "creeks" (swales) and ponds to manage our stormwater
    • Making sure our rivers and ponds and coastlines stay/get clean enough to swim in and fish in and play in again

    What are your ideas?

    16 votes

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    1 comment  ·  Improve water quality  ·  Delete…  ·  Admin →
    started  ·  AdminGreenest City Planning Team (Admin, CG2020) responded

    Where possible, streams are being daylighted http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/cityplans/stillcreek/index.htm, swales and infiltration bulges are being installed http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/streets/design/green.htm, rainwater is incorporated into public art at the Marine Drive Skytrain Station

15. five services in five minutes

    Every home should be within five minutes walk of five service--a litre of milk, a library kiosk, a post office, drugstore.... We need a micro-commercial zone to allow these small businesses into every neighbourhood.

    24 votes

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    2 comments  ·  Travel predominately by foot, bike, and transit  ·  Delete…  ·  Admin →

16. solar water taxis

    London has a solar water taxi, why can't we? All those little boats beetling around--not to mention the seabuses--could be solar. Each station would give them a quick charge or battery change.

    28 votes

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    3 comments  ·  Travel predominately by foot, bike, and transit  ·  Delete…  ·  Admin →

17. New types of crosswalk signal

    Here's two new crosswalk signal ideas. The first is to make the city more accessible to seniors, strollers and people in wheelchairs. Have a walk signal like a dual-flush toilet--press the big button for more walk time and the small button for fast walkers.

    The second idea is for cycle crossings. Since bicycles are human-powered it really sucks to stop at red lights while you press the button and wait for the light to change. So, the crossing button could be halfway up the block so cyclists can slap it on their way by--the light will be changing as they reach the intersection.

    Here's two new crosswalk signal ideas. The first is to make the city more accessible to seniors, strollers and people in wheelchairs. Have a walk signal like a dual-flush toilet--press the big button for more walk time and the small button for fast walkers.

    The second idea is for cycle crossings. Since bicycles are human-powered it really sucks to stop at red lights while you press the button and wait for the light to change. So, the crossing button could be halfway up the block so cyclists can slap it on their way by--the light will be changing as they… more

    6 votes

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    5 comments  ·  Travel predominately by foot, bike, and transit  ·  Delete…  ·  Admin →

18. farmBay

    It is difficult for local farmers to actively and regularly connect with consumers (i.e., eaters) around specific food items.

    Let's say a local farmer has a few dozen extra eggs or a few pounds of extra tomatoes. What does the farmer do? He usual composts the extra.

    Across town a restaurant or person at home would like to get some fresh eggs or tomatoes for tonight. But, the farmers market isn't for several days.

    How do they connect up? farmBay - eBay for farmers and eaters. Farmers post food for sale and eaters buy it in an eBay like format.

    11 votes

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    0 comments  ·  Encourage local food  ·  Delete…  ·  Admin →
    AdminGreenest City Planning Team (Admin, CG2020) responded

    This idea has been started through a community-led initiative. Please visit: http://www.sharedharvest.ca/metrovancouver

19. Enable home and building owners to retrofit existing buildings for energy efficiency

    Instead of building it all from scratch, let's fix what we already have... Low hanging fruit here. Maybe we need to tie retrofits to property tax bills to create the right incentives.

    18 votes

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    1 comment  ·  Green existing buildings  ·  Delete…  ·  Admin →
    under review  ·  AdminGreenest City Planning Team (Admin, CG2020) responded

    Financing tools (currently under development) may encourage building owners to improve the performance of their buildings rather than rebuild

20. Crazy Sustainable Commute
    3 votes

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    2 comments  ·  Travel predominately by foot, bike, and transit  ·  Delete…  ·  Admin →