welcome

This month we are offering you the opportunity to have an expert pitch your favourite idea for making Vancouver the greenest city to the Mayor and a panel of experts on October 1. But you need to hurry, contest closes September 24.  Read on and find loads of transportation, fashion and other sustainability related events happening right here in our very own green city.

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.  
 

Visit Talk Green To Us and vote or submit your own idea on how to make Vancouver the greenest city in the world.  The most popular ideas so far are to build a complete and safe cycling network, encourage a vegan diet, and expand the food waste collection system to apartments.

If you get your idea in before September 24, it will automatically be entered into our “pitch it to the Mayor” contest.

• The most supported and creative ideas on the forum will have an expert representative talk to the Mayor and a panel of experts on October 1 about how to get the idea implemented.
• Winners will be announced September 27.
• Everyone can watch the winning ideas being pitched “live” to Mayor Gregor Robertson at The Fai and Milton Wong Theatre in SFU Woodward's beginning at 7 pm on Friday, October 1. Come early to speak with City staff who are currently working on the Greenest City plans at an open house starting from 4 pm the same day.

Ride-Share Week 2010 invites commuters to consider ridesharing over driving alone. BC commuters can find ride-matches using a free, online ride-matching database where members can sign-up to offer a ride or search for a ride in someone else’s vehicle.  

Ride-share.com is offering prizes, including gas coupons, ferry vouchers, and a chance to win a rail trip for two through the Rockies.  All new and existing registrants to their database are eligible for prizes at the end of Ride-Share Week.

During the same week, students can celebrate the benefits of walking as part of iWalk: International Walk to School. Last year, 314 schools from all over BC walked together – all hoping to create communities that are safe places to walk.

Learn how your business can save money on their energy bill - and enter to win prizes at the same time. That’s the offer coming soon from BC Hydro’s Energy Fix. During October, BC Hydro Power Smart will release six online videos telling the story of an “energy makeover” at Donald’s Market on Commercial Drive.

Watch each video, answer a question about energy efficiency, and you’ll be entered into the Energy Fix prize draw, with chances to win ENERGY STAR computer monitors and printers, and gift certificates for Home Depot and London Drugs. “The videos are a great way for our small and medium sized customers to learn about energy efficiency,” says BC Hydro’s Janis Tong. “There are simple ideas that will help them cut energy costs. And with rebates from our Product Incentive Program, they can save even more.”

On October 1, visit bchydro.com/incentives and win!

This month’s wonders are the organizers of Eco-Fashion Week and their GAB (green advisory board).   This September 28 to 30 they will bring a selection of the best eco-designers from around the world together to showcase their latest collections of environmentally friendly, trend-setting fashion.  With collaboration from designers, buyers, models, agencies, fashion directors, trend setters and media, the eco message is global. Fashion and sustainability – meet the best of both worlds.

…on twitter?  Tweet the One Day enews to your followers!    

New readers, sign-up here.

…the average North American uses six cordless devices a day?  Whether they’re using regular or rechargeable batteries, eventually they’ll loose their ability to hold a charge.  Instead of creating a toxic stew at the landfill, heavy metals recovered during recycling can be used to make new batteries and stainless steel products.  

Visit call2recycle.org and find out where you can drop off your phone or batteries for recycling.  Businesses can become a collection location at no charge.

Sustainability Toolbox
Sept 22
Attend this Board of Trade event to learn everyday solutions and ready-to-use tips on how to make your business more sustainable  - not to mention profitable – by doing the right thing.

Park(ing) Day 2010
Sep 17
This annual, worldwide event inspires city dwellers everywhere to transform metered parking spots into temporary parks for the public good.  The Vancouver Public Space Network invites you to City Hall to see how we’ve transformed some of our Councillor’s spaces.

Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
Sep 18-26
Join thousands of Canadians as they head to their local shorelines to remove litter and make a positive difference in their community.

Sustainability 3.0:Redefining Green
Sep 28
The Sustainability Expo showcases the sustainability efforts of Strathcona businesses, provides networking opportunities, and inspires the community to move toward the BIA’s vision of Strathcona as Vancouver’s Green Zone.

Gaining Ground Summit: Eco-logical
Oct 4-7
This conference, targeted to practitioners and advocates across a range of fields working to advance and accelerate urban sustainability, explores the power of green cities to shape the future.  

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