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How can we reach our 2020
Greenest City Targets?

James Griffiths

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8 results found

  1. Meltingpot

    11 votes
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    6 comments  ·  GC 2020 » Off topic  ·  Admin →
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    James Griffiths commented  · 

    I'm sorry Jim but I'm not on the same page here. Immigrants are encouraged to learn to speak English, and they generally do - but removing signs in other languages will simply create an unfair barrier for those who are still learning, or who are simply too old to make a complete transition. How does it hurt you if non-english signs persist? Why can you not feel "warm and fuzzy" already going into a store that sells food that you're not familiar with? How do you think immigrants would feel if you made their already-unfamiliar surroundings even more foreign to them? My "green and strong" community needs diversity of all types to remain resilient.

  2. Create a Fare-Free Transit system for GVRD

    229 votes
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    29 comments  ·  GC 2020 » Travel predominately by foot, bike, and transit  ·  Admin →
    AdminGreenest City Planning Team (Admin, CG2020) responded

    Transit (and transit fares!) are controlled by TransLink, not the city. Having said that, reducing or eliminating transit fares is an interesting idea.

    Unfortunately it’s not very feasible, at least as TransLink is currently funded. Unlike most North American cities, Vancouver’s transit problems aren’t due to a lack of demand but rather a lack of capacity. Anyone who’s ever tried to squeeze onto one of our busy buses or trains knows this all too well — there isn’t enough space even when people have to pay, let alone accommodate the additional demand that would be created if transit were free. Compare this to cities with fare-free zones, which are typically struggling for increase demand, and which typically have (a) less frequent service and/or (b) plenty of extra capacity to accommodate more riders.

    In Vancouver, we need to provide more transit capacity to meet existing demand — and a LOT more…

    James Griffiths supported this idea  · 

  3. Require all fast food take-out containers to be reusable, compostable, or recyclable

    272 votes
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    10 comments  ·  GC 2020 » Reduce waste  ·  Admin →
    James Griffiths supported this idea  · 

  4. Municipal tax break for property owners that allow urban farmers to farm their yards

    256 votes
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    4 comments  ·  GC 2020 » Encourage local food  ·  Admin →
    James Griffiths supported this idea  · 

  5. a street car named DESire (DES = District Energy System)

    171 votes
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    9 comments  ·  GC 2020 » Reduce greenhouse gas emissions  ·  Admin →
    James Griffiths supported this idea  · 

  6. No Car City: Measure and reduce car passenger miles: If we drive less, a green city can emerge.

    45 votes
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    1 comment  ·  GC 2020 » Encourage shorter vehicle trips  ·  Admin →
    under review  ·  AdminGreenest City Planning Team (Admin, CG2020) responded

    One of the 2020 targets for Green Transportation is to reduce distance driven per resident 20% from 2007 levels. One of the major challenges is data — better data sources are needed to monitor progress and set more detailed targets. Odometer readings would be one way to get better VKT numbers, and would be possible with support from the Province and ICBC. Improved regional travel surveys are another possible approach.

    James Griffiths supported this idea  · 

  7. Bylaw that required planting flowering trees/shrubs

    21 votes
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    1 comment  ·  GC 2020 » Plant additional trees  ·  Admin →
    James Griffiths supported this idea  · 

  8. Ban grass lawns

    7 votes
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    3 comments  ·  GC 2020 » Use less water  ·  Admin →
    under review  ·  AdminGreenest City Planning Team (Admin, CG2020) responded

    The City does not limit the amount of lawn, but does limit the amount of impermeable surface allowed. We encourage alternatives to lawns through the water wise landscape guidelines. Strengthening education programs in supprt of alternatives to lawns is part of the plan.

    James Griffiths supported this idea  · 

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