welcome

With Vancouver recently named the best city in the world, namely for our good transport links and broad cultural and recreational opportunities, this month One Day is looking at climate-friendly ways to explore Vancouver’s summer fun and food scenes.

One Day is a City of Vancouver initiative that encourages residents to take small actions in their daily lives to use less energy at home and on the move, to help protect the climate, and to make Vancouver the cleanest, greenest, healthiest city in the world.

actions of the month

This month we challenge you to go sightseeing in our fine city using carbon-friendly transportation.

On transit - Discover local destinations by transit. Take a hike on one of the beautiful North Shore mountains, eat fresh seafood from Steveston Village, or take a trip back in time in Fort Langley. Metro Vancouver boasts the most extensive public transit system in Canada – it’s easy to get around by bus, rapid transit, rail and harbour ferry.
On bike - Hop on your bike and use a map of cycling routes to explore the city. Our favourite route is the Vancouver seawall, especially the stretch along the new Southeast False Creek shoreline.
-Also, watch for updates on separated bike lanes.
On foot - Lace up your trainers and hit the streets on these self-guided, free walking tours:
•   Yaletown Shoreline Arts
•   Art for Kids
•   Britannia Community Arts
•   Downtown Architectural
•   Vancouver Street Trees
•    Stanley Park Environmental Art
•   Community Gardens
•   More walking tour maps and guides (see listings on the right side of screen)

air-borne

Over the last few years, bands such as U2, Pearl Jam, and DJ trio Above & Beyond have positioned themselves as climate leaders in the music industry by pledging to offset their carbon emission from their tours.
If your travels do take you away from the city this month, consider joining their lead and purchase carbon offsets for your trip. Also consider these flying tips:

Try to fly direct (more fuel is consumed during take off)
Fly during the daytime (flights at night have a greater impact on the climate)
Fly economy (more people on the plane means fewer emissions per person)
Pack light (lighter planes means less fuel burned)

new in the city

On July 22, Vancouver City Council approved a policy that will require all new buildings being rezoned to meet the highest rezoning standard in North America: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold.

The change takes effect January 31, 2011, and is expected to result in 20 to 30 new green buildings being constructed annually, creating new green job opportunities in the city. And remember, you can always take an audio tour of some of the city’s existing green buildings, either online or by phone.

finish your meal

With more restaurants per capita than many larger cities, we know Vancouverites love their food. However each year, researchers estimate that 2,000 trillion BTU of food related energy is wasted by edible food discarded by Americans, a figure equivalent to Sweden’s annual energy consumption. (We have yet to find research specific to Canada, but it’s likely to be not far off.)

This is a great reminder to only buy what you need at your farmers market, and only take that second helping of potato salad at your beach barbeque if you can finish it!

The food choices you make have a huge impact on global warming. Visit the Cool Foods Campaign website or use the Low Carbon Diet Calculator to find out more.

One Day wonders

TheChange connects you to local green companies and shares their sustainability practices and news. TheChange’s latest initiative, ethicalDeal, provides 50-90% off products and services from local green companies. Sign up for ethicalDeal to get green deals delivered to your inbox daily.

know someone...

…who is a proud Vancouverite, or just wants to be? Forward this issue, they’ll love One Day.

New readers, sign-up here.

what's happening

Burns Bog Tour
Aug. 14
Learn about the history, geography, ecology and environmental importance of Burns Bog on this great family outing.

Green Drinks
Aug. 18
There’s no agenda or other formality - it's just a chance to meet regularly to chat, debate, socialize and connect with others in Vancouver who are passionate about the environment and all things ‘green’.

Slow Food Cycle Tours
Aug. 21, 22
These tours connect you with producers in Agassiz and Chilliwack. Come spend the weekend, cycle country roads and visit farmers on this family-oriented event.

Cemetery Bike Tour
Aug. 22
Wheel through 124 years of history and take in all of the Mountain View Cemetery's 106 acres.

Davie Day - Sustainability Zone
Sep. 11
Come experience a day of fun, laughter and music in Vancouver’s West End. Davie Day is committed to being a green event.

Sustainability Dialogue
Sep. 16
Metro Vancouver invites you to help shape the future of the region by sharing your thoughts with other local experts on innovative solutions to challenging regional issues.

Check out the One Day events calendar for more sustainability related events happening in and around Vancouver.

Did you know...

… that every weekend this summer five blocks of Granville Street are closed to traffic and open to the public as a community space?

This pedestrian space is home to free, scheduled programming and gives people the opportunity to try out more active forms of transportation. Fewer cars on city streets, means reduced GHG emissions.

in the media

YouTube feature – UK videos on impacts of a four degree temperature rise

Science delivers repeated blows to deluded deniers
B.C. adopts new limits for greenhouse-gas emissions with new ‘cap and trade’ system
Climate change and water are inextricably linked
Scientists say soot a key factor in warming (related video)
Don’t burn it, don’t bury it: Vancouver seeks novel ways of dealing with trash
Vital ocean phytoplankton a casualty of global warming?
State of the Climate: Hottest Decade on Record

Check out the One Day media section for more climate change related news.


August 2010 Hello! welcome With Vancouver recently named the best city in the world, namely for our good transport links and broad cultural and recreational opportunities, this month One Day is looking at climate-friendly ways to explore Vancouver’s summer fun and food scenes. One Day is a City of Vancouver initiative that encourages residents to take small actions in their daily lives to use less energy at home and on the move, to help protect the climate, and to make Vancouver the cleanest, greenest, healthiest city in the world. actions of the month This month we challenge you to go sightseeing in our fine city using carbon-friendly transportation. On transit - Discover local destinations by transit. Take a hike on one of the beautiful North Shore mountains, eat fresh seafood from Steveston Village, or take a trip back in time in Fort Langley. Metro Vancouver boasts the most extensive public transit system in Canada – it’s easy to get around by bus, rapid transit, rail and harbour ferry. On bike - Hop on your bike and use a map of cycling routes to explore the city. Our favourite route is the Vancouver seawall, especially the stretch along the new Southeast False Creek shoreline. -Also, watch for updates on separated bike lanes. On foot - Lace up your trainers and hit the streets on these self-guided, free walking tours: • Yaletown Shoreline Arts • Art for Kids • Britannia Community Arts • Downtown Architectural • Vancouver Street Trees • Stanley Park Environmental Art • Community Gardens • More walking tour maps and guides (see listings on the right side of screen) air-borne Over the last few years, bands such as U2, Pearl Jam, and DJ trio Above & Beyond have positioned themselves as climate leaders in the music industry by pledging to offset their carbon emission from their tours. If your travels do take you away from the city this month, consider joining their lead and purchase carbon offsets for your trip. Also consider these flying tips: Try to fly direct (more fuel is consumed during take off) Fly during the daytime (flights at night have a greater impact on the climate) Fly economy (more people on the plane means fewer emissions per person) Pack light (lighter planes means less fuel burned) new in the city On July 22, Vancouver City Council approved a policy that will require all new buildings being rezoned to meet the highest rezoning standard in North America: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold. The change takes effect January 31, 2011, and is expected to result in 20 to 30 new green buildings being constructed annually, creating new green job opportunities in the city. And remember, you can always take an audio tour of some of the city’s existing green buildings, either online or by phone. finish your meal With more restaurants per capita than many larger cities, we know Vancouverites love their food. However each year, researchers estimate that 2,000 trillion BTU of food related energy is wasted by edible food discarded by Americans, a figure equivalent to Sweden’s annual energy consumption. (We have yet to find research specific to Canada, but it’s likely to be not far off.) This is a great reminder to only buy what you need at your farmers market, and only take that second helping of potato salad at your beach barbeque if you can finish it! The food choices you make have a huge impact on global warming. Visit the Cool Foods Campaign website or use the Low Carbon Diet Calculator to find out more. One Day wonders TheChange connects you to local green companies and shares their sustainability practices and news. TheChange’s latest initiative, ethicalDeal, provides 50-90% off products and services from local green companies. Sign up for ethicalDeal to get green deals delivered to your inbox daily.	know someone... …who is a proud Vancouverite, or just wants to be? Forward this issue, they’ll love One Day. New readers, sign-up here. what's happening Burns Bog Tour Aug. 14 Learn about the history, geography, ecology and environmental importance of Burns Bog on this great family outing. Green Drinks Aug. 18 There’s no agenda or other formality - it's just a chance to meet regularly to chat, debate, socialize and connect with others in Vancouver who are passionate about the environment and all things ‘green’. Slow Food Cycle Tours Aug. 21, 22 These tours connect you with producers in Agassiz and Chilliwack. Come spend the weekend, cycle country roads and visit farmers on this family-oriented event. Cemetery Bike Tour Aug. 22 Wheel through 124 years of history and take in all of the Mountain View Cemetery's 106 acres. Davie Day - Sustainability Zone Sep. 11 Come experience a day of fun, laughter and music in Vancouver’s West End. Davie Day is committed to being a green event. Sustainability Dialogue Sep. 16 Metro Vancouver invites you to help shape the future of the region by sharing your thoughts with other local experts on innovative solutions to challenging regional issues. Check out the One Day events calendar for more sustainability related events happening in and around Vancouver. Did you know... … that every weekend this summer five blocks of Granville Street are closed to traffic and open to the public as a community space? This pedestrian space is home to free, scheduled programming and gives people the opportunity to try out more active forms of transportation. Fewer cars on city streets, means reduced GHG emissions. in the media YouTube feature – UK videos on impacts of a four degree temperature rise Science delivers repeated blows to deluded deniers B.C. adopts new limits for greenhouse-gas emissions with new ‘cap and trade’ system Climate change and water are inextricably linked Scientists say soot a key factor in warming (related video) Don’t burn it, don’t bury it: Vancouver seeks novel ways of dealing with trash Vital ocean phytoplankton a casualty of global warming? State of the Climate: Hottest Decade on Record Check out the One Day media section for more climate change related news.