January 2025

Have you heard of King Tides?  

When the gravitational pull of the moon and sun are aligned, they create the highest tides of the year – the “king” of tides, also known as “perigean spring tides". King Tides naturally occur twice a year and give us a glimpse into the future: by 2050, when sea levels are expected to be 50 cm higher than today, our regular sea levels could look like some of today’s king tides. 
 
Combined with climate change (rising sea levels and more frequent extreme rainfall events), damage from ocean debris and flooding during king tides are becoming more common.  
  
We’re enhancing Vancouver’s resilience to sea level rise through the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy to reduce risks to residents, infrastructure and ecosystems.
 
YOUR TURN

Help us track how our shoreline is changing. Snap shoreline photos during King Tide events from a safe distance, and post and tag us @greenestcity on Instagram, Facebook and X, or email photos to sealevelrise@vancouver.ca. The next high tide is on January 16 at 8:11am. 
 
Learn more about sea level rise and how climate change is impacting risks to flooding here. 

SUPPORTING: ADAPTATION

Tackling climate change in Vancouver requires effort from all of us. Alongside actions to reduce carbon pollution in your daily life, there are many ways to engage in community efforts and contribute to organizations and governments in taking bold climate action.

Climate action matters at all scales:

• Across the City – make your voice heard in City climate policy and planning.
• In your neighbourhood – volunteer with organizations that contribute to local climate action and ecological restoration. 
• In your personal life – get around by walking, biking and rolling, shift to an electric vehicle, and/or use less natural gas by switching to a heat pump.

YOUR TURN

Here are ways to get involved in sustainable initiatives this year:

• Register to the Shape Your City page and receive opportunities to comment on related policies and planning in Vancouver, or speak at Council meetings.
• Consider getting involved with organizations that contribute to sustainability and climate action – local volunteer opportunities are listed at the end of this newsletter each month. Zero Waste Ambassadors and Neighbourhood Cleanup Parties are two examples.
• Level up your climate change conversations with friends and family by including discussions of climate justice, equity and decolonization. Check out this climate justice reading list for books, articles and podcasts as a start. 

SUPPORTING: CLIMATE EMERGENCY, ADAPTATION

Cycling doesn’t have to stop with cold weather. With the right preparation and proper equipment, you can be ready for safe riding and rolling all through the colder, wetter and darker winter months. Here are some tips to consider:

• Make sure you’re visible to other road users when cycling in the dark. Provincial rules require cyclists to have a white light pointed in the direction they’re travelling visible from 150 metres away, a red reflector and a red rear light.
• Watch out for slippery road conditions and potholes: brake earlier, turn slower and gentler and stay alert for slippery leaves.
• Give your bike extra winter TLC. Visit your local bike shop for a tune up and clean off the dirt, grit and road salt from your bike after riding.
• Stay warm and dry with breathable layers, gloves, boots or shoe covers and waterproof pants. Reflective materials will also help you be more visible during dark conditions.

By 2030, the City of Vancouver wants two-thirds of all trips to be made by active transportation and transit. By choosing to walk, bike and roll to get around, you can help us reduce congestion and carbon pollution from vehicles.

YOUR TURN

• Check out this online webinar for Fall & Winter Cycling tips from HUB Cycling.
• Want to cycle but don’t have a bike? Consider getting a Mobi bike membership.
• Learn more about getting around the Vancouver way by following our Walk, Bike, Roll Facebook page, checking out our e-scooter safety tips or downloading our bike map.

SUPPORTING: CLIMATE EMERGENCY

Have you ever wondered how energy efficient Vancouver’s large buildings are?

We launched a Vancouver Greenhouse Gas Limits By-Law Reporting Map as part of our multi-year Energize Vancouver initiative to reduce carbon pollution and accelerate the shift to healthier, more affordable and more resilient homes, offices and stores.

As part of the Annual Greenhouse Gas and Energy Limits By-law, owners and managers of existing large commercial and multi-family buildings are required to measure and report on how much energy buildings use and how much carbon pollution they produce through space heating and hot water.

Knowing how energy efficient buildings are today is the first step to raising awareness of the carbon pollution associated with buildings and connecting owners with voluntary emissions reduction programs. This map is part of the Climate Emergency Action Plan’s efforts to cut carbon pollution from buildings in half, relative to 2007 levels.

The first edition of this map illustrates energy use for commercial buildings over 100,000 square feet. Additional buildings will be added to the map as more buildings start reporting in 2025 and 2026.

YOUR TURN

Check out our new building performance reporting map to learn about the energy performance of large multi-family and commercial buildings in Vancouver.

SUPPORTING: CLIMATE EMERGENCY