welcome

This month we’re spreading the news about Fortis BC’s new renewable natural gas product, BC Hydro’s rebate for high-efficiency toilets, and the City’s new home energy loan program. Also in this issue, find out how Sunset Nursery has been able to cut their GHG emissions by over a half, and how some preschool planters became are new One Day Wonders.

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

Reduce your carbon footprint even more
This month FortisBC launches renewable natural gas. It’s made when bacteria break down organic waste, producing biogas that can be captured and upgraded to pipeline-quality renewable natural gas. Renewable natural gas not only makes yuck useful but also helps reduce methane emissions in the atmosphere. For about $4 per month for an average Vancouver household, FortisBC will designate 10% of the natural gas you use as renewable and inject an equal amount of renewable natural gas into its pipelines from local biogas projects. Since it’s carbon neutral, subscribers get a 10% credit on the carbon tax, too. Learn how you can sign up today.

Turn off your pilot
It’s that time of year to shut off your gas fireplace pilot light. This simple action can save you approximately $8 per month all summer long and reduce your carbon footprint.

Note: If shopping for a new gas fireplace, be sure to look for an efficiency rating of over 60 per cent. To help cover the cost, FortisBC is offering a $300 rebate on select EnerChoice fireplaces. Some restrictions apply.

in your city

Recent upgrades to East Vancouver’s Sunset Nursery are saving energy by capturing waste heat from the adjacent Sunset Rink. New heat pumps transfer this heat from the rink to warm 12 greenhouses. Previously, the refrigeration plant released this heat into the atmosphere.

Along with the new heat pumps, the replacement of two boilers with high-efficiency condensing units will reduce nursery emissions by 52 per cent, the equivalent of removing 51 cars from the streets. What’s more, 35 green jobs were created during the course of this project!

Sunset Nursery is one of 36 City facilities receiving $16.2 million in creative and effective energy conservation upgrades.

flush savings

You’ve already installed your indoor and outdoor water saver kits. You follow the lawn sprinkling regulations. You’ve planted drought-resistant native plants and collected rainwater in a rain barrel in your backyard.

So what more could you do to save both water and the energy used to treat and transport it from the mountain to your house? We suggest a high-efficiency toilet.

Toilets use more water than any other household device, accounting for 30 per cent of overall consumption. This device can save $100 worth of water per year and keeps water affordable by deferring costly source water expansions. Get one for less with Power Smart’s 40 per cent off instant online rebate.

One Day Wonders

This month’s wonders are the Dunbar Memorial Parent Participation Preschool children who helped plant 15 apple, pear and cherry trees on May 29 at Memorial West Park. This is the third fruit orchard planted in Vancouver Parks over the past six months.

Fruit trees can provide a bounty of fruit, but also create a healthy environment by cleaning the air, improving the soil, preventing erosion and creating a home for birds and other animals.

Way to go kids! Thank you for bringing more trees into the city and urban agriculture closer to home.

know someone...

…who is only just now emerging from their winter hibernation in front of a gas fireplace? Forward this e-mail. They’ll love One Day.

New readers, sign-up here.

in the media

Canada has ‘more to lose than it realizes’: global warming report on Arctic
Global warming may affect carbon storing capacity of trees
Vancouver eyes ways to get more cars off Vancouver's streets
Vancouver council approves home retrofit loan program, considers expansion

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

did you know...

…that on May 31 City Council approved a new pilot program for single-family home owners. Through a partnership with Vancity, the home energy loan program will provide financing to cover the upfront costs of select energy efficiency improvements. Stay tuned, One Day will provide more details in an upcoming issue.

what's happening

Car Free Day
Jun 19
Car Free Vancouver Day is happening again on Commercial Drive, Main Street, the West End and Kitsilano.

Swap-o-rama-rama
Jun 18
Explore reuse and creativity through the recycling of used clothing in your community at this gigantic clothing swap. All remainders will go to local charities.

Sustainability Congress
Jun 25
Future of the Region: Building a shared roadmap. Against a backdrop of two divergent future visions of our region, the Congress will engage citizens in a candid conversation on this topic. Register online.

Watershed Tours
Summer
Three pristine mountain watersheds provide 2.3 million Metro Vancouver residents with a clean and reliable supply of drinking water. Take a guided tour to see what makes your water world-class.

Farmers Markets
Summer markets are now open in Kitsilano (Sundays), Trout Lake (Saturdays), West End (Saturdays) and Main St (Wednesdays). Fill your fridges and stomachs with delicious local fare. Visit their website for vendor information and market details.

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


June 2011 Hello! welcome This month we’re spreading the news about Fortis BC’s new renewable natural gas product, BC Hydro’s rebate for high-efficiency toilets, and the City’s new home energy loan program. Also in this issue, find out how Sunset Nursery has been able to cut their GHG emissions by over a half, and how some preschool planters became are new One Day Wonders. 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 Reduce your carbon footprint even more This month FortisBC launches renewable natural gas. It’s made when bacteria break down organic waste, producing biogas that can be captured and upgraded to pipeline-quality renewable natural gas. Renewable natural gas not only makes yuck useful but also helps reduce methane emissions in the atmosphere. For about $4 per month for an average Vancouver household, FortisBC will designate 10% of the natural gas you use as renewable and inject an equal amount of renewable natural gas into its pipelines from local biogas projects. Since it’s carbon neutral, subscribers get a 10% credit on the carbon tax, too. Learn how you can sign up today. Turn off your pilot It’s that time of year to shut off your gas fireplace pilot light. This simple action can save you approximately $8 per month all summer long and reduce your carbon footprint. Note: If shopping for a new gas fireplace, be sure to look for an efficiency rating of over 60 per cent. To help cover the cost, FortisBC is offering a $300 rebate on select EnerChoice fireplaces. Some restrictions apply. in your city Recent upgrades to East Vancouver’s Sunset Nursery are saving energy by capturing waste heat from the adjacent Sunset Rink. New heat pumps transfer this heat from the rink to warm 12 greenhouses. Previously, the refrigeration plant released this heat into the atmosphere. Along with the new heat pumps, the replacement of two boilers with high-efficiency condensing units will reduce nursery emissions by 52 per cent, the equivalent of removing 51 cars from the streets. What’s more, 35 green jobs were created during the course of this project! Sunset Nursery is one of 36 City facilities receiving $16.2 million in creative and effective energy conservation upgrades. flush savings You’ve already installed your indoor and outdoor water saver kits. You follow the lawn sprinkling regulations. You’ve planted drought-resistant native plants and collected rainwater in a rain barrel in your backyard. So what more could you do to save both water and the energy used to treat and transport it from the mountain to your house? We suggest a high-efficiency toilet. Toilets use more water than any other household device, accounting for 30 per cent of overall consumption. This device can save $100 worth of water per year and keeps water affordable by deferring costly source water expansions. Get one for less with Power Smart’s 40 per cent off instant online rebate. One Day Wonders This month’s wonders are the Dunbar Memorial Parent Participation Preschool children who helped plant 15 apple, pear and cherry trees on May 29 at Memorial West Park. This is the third fruit orchard planted in Vancouver Parks over the past six months. Fruit trees can provide a bounty of fruit, but also create a healthy environment by cleaning the air, improving the soil, preventing erosion and creating a home for birds and other animals. Way to go kids! Thank you for bringing more trees into the city and urban agriculture closer to home.	know someone... …who is only just now emerging from their winter hibernation in front of a gas fireplace? Forward this e-mail. They’ll love One Day. New readers, sign-up here. in the media Canada has ‘more to lose than it realizes’: global warming report on Arctic Global warming may affect carbon storing capacity of trees Vancouver eyes ways to get more cars off Vancouver's streets Vancouver council approves home retrofit loan program, considers expansion Check out the One Day media section for more climate change related news. did you know... …that on May 31 City Council approved a new pilot program for single-family home owners. Through a partnership with Vancity, the home energy loan program will provide financing to cover the upfront costs of select energy efficiency improvements. Stay tuned, One Day will provide more details in an upcoming issue. what's happening Car Free Day Jun 19 Car Free Vancouver Day is happening again on Commercial Drive, Main Street, the West End and Kitsilano. Swap-o-rama-rama Jun 18 Explore reuse and creativity through the recycling of used clothing in your community at this gigantic clothing swap. All remainders will go to local charities. Sustainability Congress Jun 25 Future of the Region: Building a shared roadmap. Against a backdrop of two divergent future visions of our region, the Congress will engage citizens in a candid conversation on this topic. Register online. Watershed Tours Summer Three pristine mountain watersheds provide 2.3 million Metro Vancouver residents with a clean and reliable supply of drinking water. Take a guided tour to see what makes your water world-class. Farmers Markets Summer markets are now open in Kitsilano (Sundays), Trout Lake (Saturdays), West End (Saturdays) and Main St (Wednesdays). Fill your fridges and stomachs with delicious local fare. Visit their website for vendor information and market details. Check out the One Day events calendar for more sustainability related events happening in and around Vancouver.