welcome

This month we are looking at the bigger picture. We want to provide you with some information about the significance of The United Nations’ Climate Change Convention (COP15).

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.

We encourage you to find out more about COP15 and why it is so important. Also, take a moment to find out how many tonnes of CO2 equivalents are generated by your lifestyle.  

No time?  Try the One Minute Calculator.  
Kids, there is a footprint calculator just for you!

When you’re done, have a look through the One Day website and decide what you’d be willing to do to reduce your footprint.  Every action helps.

From December 7 to 18, UN world leaders will be meeting at the Climate Change Conference, COP15.  This summit is the deadline for the world to come to a climate change agreement that will continue and strengthen the Kyoto Protocol—the existing international climate treaty which expires in 2012. 

In order to reach an ambitious climate change deal to follow on the first phase of the Kyoto Protocol, this December world leaders will be discussing four key issues:

• Ambitious emission reduction targets for developed countries
• Nationally appropriate mitigation actions of developing countries
• Scaling up financial and technological support for both adaptation and mitigation
• An effective institutional framework with governance structures that address the needs of developing countries

Ohhhh Canada!

David Suzuki voiced his opinion about what’s at stake at the UN Climate Summit in a phone call to Stephen Harper - watch the video.  Here are some facts from Suzuki’s related article that we hope will remind our leaders to take a stand in Copenhagen.
Our nation:

• is one of the top 10 global warming polluting countries in the world
• produces 2-3 times more GHG emissions per person than most European countries
• produces 6 times more GHG emissions per person than China and over 14 times more per person than India
• produces less than 1% of our energy from renewable sources like wind and solar power
• invests 6 times less per person than the US to build a clean-energy economy and clean energy jobs

 
Local: a bright green future

• The Mayor’s Greenest City Action Team (GCAT) recently released its long-term goals for how Vancouver can become the world’s greenest city, which includes eliminating Vancouver’s dependence on fossil fuels.  Find out what they recommend.  
• In September, Council heard that two-thirds of the 44 quick start actions recommended earlier this year by GCAT are underway – many of which directly protect the climate. Visit the Greenest City webpage for more information.
• At the beginning of December, the City will be releasing the 2008 Climate Protection update.  This update will report how our city is progressing on our 2010 and 2012 greenhouse gas targets and will highlight some key successes.  Mark your calendars and check the sustainability website for exact dates.

This month’s wonders are everyone who participated in the 350 International Day of Climate Action.  There were over 5,200 events worldwide, and we’d like to celebrate our local efforts.  In Vancouver, approximately 5,000 people took part in Bridge to a Cool Planet, the largest 350 event in Canada. It was likely the largest in North America and Europe based on media reports.

Watch the CTV clip on the Bridge to a Cool Planet website.

Many groups are choosing to share their passion for climate action visually.  Here are a few of our favourites:

• Raise Your Voice – Change Climate Change website which asks people to be part of COP15.  You can submit a video, get inspired from voices around the globe or vote for your favourite video. There is even an opportunity to win a trip to Copenhagen!  
• The Age of Stupid - a new independent feature film set in 2055 that asks the question, why we didn’t stop climate change when we had a chance.  Watch the trailer or check out a video featuring kids sending a message to world leaders in advance of COP15.  (More dates will be announced soon.)
• Visit KidEarth and listen to "100 Generations", an international global warming song a California 6th grader wrote for children all over the world to raise awareness about climate change.
• Other climate films include:  An Inconvenient Truth, The 11th Hour, Home, and Voices for Change – California to name a few.

…who thinks that global warming is a bunch of hoopla?  Forward this e-mail.   

New readers, sign-up here.

Energy efficiency workshop
Nov. 18-19
Killarney Community Centre
Homeowners can find out how to access up to $5,000 in government rebates for energy efficient upgrades at this free workshop. Register at 604.781.8201 for activity code 61605.415KL or 416KL.

Fall Home Renovation Seminar
Nov. 24
Croatian Cultural Centre
To help homeowners make informed decisions, the GVHBA's Renovation Council is presenting its popular home renovation seminar. Call 778.565.4288 or e-mail to register.

Sustainability Breakfast
Dec. 2 at 7:30am
Join this ongoing series of breakfasts to share actions and strategies on building a more sustainable Metro Vancouver and networking with others working in the private, public, academic and not-for-profit sectors.  Register online.

Dollars to $ense Workshops
Dec. 2009
Natural Resources Canada is holding a series of workshops for building energy managers.  Learn how to spot the energy savings, monitor your energy use and much more.  Descriptions, costs and registration details available online. 

CEP Speaker Series
Nov. 25, 7pm
Attend this Connecting Environmental Professionals event and listen to the Eco-Preneurs Panel as they speak about their experiences starting up a successful, environmentally and socially responsible enterprise.  RSVP online.

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

…the Stern Review of the Economics of Climate Change by the former Chief Economist of the World Bank estimated that the world needs to spend 1 per cent of global GDP to tackle climate change? Failure to do so could cost 20 times more.

EU leaders agree on climate funding
Inaction on climate change comes at a price
Copenhagen climate summit is crucial
Government clears way for greener power expansion
New study shows Canada can meet global-warming reduction targets while growing jobs and economy