FEBRUARY 2022
IN THIS ISSUE
- Learn how we are making EV charging more accessible
- Give your input on Vancouver’s Broadway Plan
- Join in on the participatory art project, How Water Remembers
- Find out about TransLink’s Climate Strategy
- Check out local events and green opportunities
NOTEWORTHY: A reminder that engagement on our Climate Emergency: Home Heating and Cooling program continues to the end of February. We’re seeking your feedback on proposed regulations and support to make it easier for homeowners to switch to low-carbon, energy efficient equipment for space and water heating, and cooling. Visit Shape Your City to learn more, attend one of the public workshops and provide input via the guided feedback form.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING EXTENSION CORDS ON SIDEWALKS
Many Vancouver residents drive or are interested in driving an electric vehicle (EV), and want reliable charging solutions – especially residents without dedicated off-street parking where they can plug in. To help reach our Climate Emergency and vehicle electrification goals, the City is working to make it easier for residents to find reliable public EV charging across the city, along with more options to charge at home. That is why homeowners and occupants (with landlord support) can now obtain a licence to charge their vehicle in front of their house using an extension cord.
To obtain the cord cover license, residents must complete a license agreement indicating they carry appropriate liability insurance, and agree to the specifications for extension cords and covers to ensure the safety of others using the sidewalk.
This work is the result of engagement with a range of community stakeholders and technical experts and follows in the footsteps of other similar successful city initiatives, such as Seattle. It will also help us ensure that 50% of the kilometers driven on Vancouver’s roads will be by zero emissions vehicles by 2030, as we continue to expand access to home, workplace, and public charging, too.
YOUR TURN
Visit our website to learn how to obtain a license and our main EV webpage to find out about public charging, as well as charging for rental buildings: https://vancouver.ca/EV.
SUPPORTING: CLIMATE EMERGENCY
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF THE BROADWAY CORRIDOR
Over the past few years, the City has been working with stakeholders and communities to integrate new job space, housing and amenities with the Broadway Subway.
The Broadway Plan is a 30-year plan for the area between Clark Drive and Vine Street and 1st to 16th Avenue, to make growth and change work for us. The plan’s vision is that by 2050, neighbourhoods are walkable, vibrant, enjoyable and distinctive places where more people can live or work close to rapid transit.
The Broadway Plan includes affordable housing choices, community amenities, arts and cultural activities, a variety of shops and services, and parks and public spaces to provide for inclusive and livable neighbourhoods. With an emphasis on enhanced streets and connections to enable more sustainable travel, it also supports our Climate Emergency Action Plan. The Broadway Plan will be received by Council for consideration later this spring.
YOUR TURN
The draft Broadway Plan is available for review starting on February 28, and we want to hear from you. Visit Shape Your City to learn more and provide feedback.
SUPPORTING: CLIMATE EMERGENCY
HOW WATER REMEMBERS
How do we revitalize biodiversity within a city and nourish biodiverse ecologies in our everyday? The participatory art project by Laiwan, How Water Remembers, aims to do just that. At once a celebration of the Lunar New Year and an invitation to contemplate the impacts of sea level rise to the False Creek ecosystem, How Water Remembers seeks to build awareness and cultural value for humans and local biodiversity.
Ten guardian creatures embodying various elements of ancestral wisdom and traditional knowledge and stewardship have been designed by Laiwan, with illustrations by Karlene Harvey and Marlene Yuen and divination texts by Cindy Mochizuki. From February 14 to March 14, posters of these creatures will be available to view on various bus shelters across the city.
How Water Remembers has been developed with support from the City and the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, and encourages a vision of a more livable city that enhances biodiversity and responds to sea level rise.
YOUR TURN
Find each of the guardian creatures, take a selfie for socials, and tag @greenestcity @vancouverchinesegarden and @laiwanette.
Email all ten selfies to sealevelrise@vancouver.ca by March 20, 2022 and you will be entered into a draw to win a foodie Chinatown gift card. The first five people to collect all ten will win a set of guardian creature cards.
You can also collect the guardian creatures by visiting participating businesses in Chinatown.
SUPPORTING: ADAPTATION
TRANSLINK'S CLIMATE ACTION STRATEGY
Did you know Vancouver’s transportation authority has a bold plan to tackle transportation-related carbon pollution? TransLink has launched a Climate Action Strategy that maps out an ambitious path to zero emissions.
Some highlights of this plan include:
- A target of net zero carbon pollution by 2050 and a 45% reduction over 2010 levels by 2030.
- A bus fleet with zero emissions by 2040.
- Over 400 new battery-electric buses in service by 2030.
- Working to create a more resilient transportation system that can better withstand climate impacts while keeping customers safe and comfortable in extreme weather.
Nearly 40% of Vancouver’s carbon pollution comes from burning gasoline and diesel in our vehicles, which is why TransLink’s strategy aligns with the City of Vancouver’s efforts to ensure that by 2030, two-thirds of trips in Vancouver are by active transportation and transit.
YOUR TURN
Learn more by reading TransLink’s Climate Action Strategy.
Looking to incorporate more transit into your lifestyle? TransLink offers a TravelSmart program to help individuals, businesses and schools find healthy, safe and reliable ways of getting around.
Taking transit just got a little sweeter with TransLink’s Tap In to Win sweepstakes. For every trip you take with your Compass Card, you’re entered to win monthly prizes, including electric bikes, stay and play packages, and more.
SUPPORTING: CLIMATE EMERGENCY
LOCAL EVENTS AND GREEN OPPORTUNITIES
When attending in-person events please follow COVID-19 health & safety precautions.
Climate Emergency Week at UBC
February 14-18
Mark the 1-year anniversary of UBC’s Climate Emergency Task Force Report and Recommendations by joining them for a week of events, featuring conversation, actions, celebrations, and community building.
Online
Heat Pump Exhibit
February 16- April 6
Check out this travelling interactive heat pump exhibit to learn how heat pumps provide heating and cooling to your home, improve your home’s climate resilience, and play a key part in meeting Vancouver’s climate goals.
Hillcrest Community Centre
Stanley Park EcoStewards
February 19 & March 5
Help with habitat conservation and restoration in Stanley Park by volunteering with EcoStewards during their bi-monthly invasive species removal events.
Stanley Park
St. George Rainway Winter BioBlitz: Birds
February 26
Calling all citizen scientists! The City is looking for your help to quantify the changes in biodiversity along the St. George Rainway by measuring species before and after the Rainway is built. This is the first in a series of events and will focus on birds.
St. George St at E 7th Avenue
Reuse and Recycling Drop-Off
February 26
Spring cleaning? Drop off your unwanted electronics, computers, small appliances, power tools, light bulbs, phones, used clothing and more at this free recycling drop off event.
Trout Lake Community Centre
Greening Workshops: Turn Your Old Jeans into Patches
February 27
Want to make wearable art while diverting your old clothes from the landfill? Join artist Hollis Nelson for a workshop on how to create colourful patches from your old jeans, and learn about recycling (and reimagining!) worn out clothing.
Trout Lake Community Centre
Re-storying Your Future –Climate Change Film and Video Youth Residency
Tuesdays and Weekends, Feb – May
This creative residency offered through Vancouver Park Board and the Roundhouse invites youth to take back the narrative of climate change through multi-media storytelling. Learn about script writing, production skills, editing, and more.
Online and in-person, Various
Considering a Heat Pump Workshop
March 17
Heat pumps are the most efficient and climate-friendly heating and cooling system on the market today. Join friends and neighbours in this webinar and learn what a heat pump is, the benefits of heat pumps, how to find a registered contractor, and what rebates, financing offers, and supports are available to help you upgrade your heating system.
Online
True or False Creek
Any time
Enjoy a free, outdoor walking tour along the south side of False Creek: all you need is a sense of adventure and your phone! The True or False Creek game leads you along the south side of False Creek from the False Creek Community Centre to Science World (or the other way around). Just follow the blue signs.
False Creek
Streetwise Cycling Online
Any time
New to cycling? This free educational series from HUB helps adult beginner riders gain knowledge and skills at their own pace to start their cycling journey with confidence.
Online
SPEC Team Meetings
Various
Want to share your knowledge on energy and transportation, food growing, or waste, and connect with other like-minded individuals? The Society Promoting Environmental Conservation has ongoing meet-ups in these areas. Check the link for topics and meeting dates.
Online
Winter Farmer’s Markets
Various
Vancouver Farmer’s Markets has two winter markets that are open each weekend in neighbourhoods across the city. Visit the website to learn about the local farmers, food producers and creators at each market and plan your visit.
Various
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