July 2022

Summer 2021 was an unexpectedly hot and dry summer prompting three health alerts in BC, setting a new daily record of 39.5°C on June 29. With climate change we can expect this to become the “new normal”. 

Heat has dangerous consequences, particularly for older adults, children under 5-years old, people who are isolated or experiencing homelessness, people with pre-existing illnesses and pets.

This summer, the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Coastal Health are collecting information about indoor temperatures and buildings characteristics when very hot weather is forecasted, including during heat warnings and extreme heat alerts. This information will help us better understand the relationship between indoor and outdoor temperatures across the region. 

YOUR TURN

We are seeking citizen scientists to help us collect temperature data through a brief survey. By signing up to the listserv, you will receive an email notification prompting you to complete a 3-minute survey when outdoor temperatures exceed 26 degrees for two or more consecutive days. 

If you would like to participate in this survey this summer, please sign up here. You can also expect to receive a summary of the preliminary results later this fall. 

SUPPORTING: CLIMATE ADAPTATION

Vancouver is one of 20 cities around the world that hosts a local C40 Women4Climate Mentorship Program. The program matches leaders from businesses and community organizations with self-identifying women working on climate initiatives, empowering these women to become the next generation of climate leaders.

Participants in the Women4Climate Mentorship Program receive the support and training they need to accelerate impactful initiatives aligned with Vancouver’s Climate Emergency Action Plan and Climate Change Adaptation Strategy. Over a 10-month mentorship period, mentors share their knowledge and experiences, and champion the mentees in developing their leadership skills while advancing their projects. Mentees are also able to access leadership training and participate in international networking events with other women working in climate. 

YOUR TURN

Are you working on a climate initiative that supports a healthier, more sustainable and resilient urban future in Vancouver? To apply for the 2022 cohort and join an international community of women working in climate, submit your application before August 14.

You can learn about past program participants here.
 
SUPPORTING: CLIMATE EMERGENCY, CLIMATE ADAPTATION

What would it be like to hear your anxieties and questions about sea level rise transformed into music? Climate adaptation and art unite in Town Choir, a live choral performance about living on the coast.

In four different coastal cities facing the shared challenge of climate change and rising sea levels— Vancouver, New York, Mumbai and Tokyo—writers who call these places home will type out observations of the changing world unfolding around them. The Vancouver Youth Choir will then receive these observations via a large screen and sing them out to the public.

Before and after the performance, the City will showcase design ideas that respond to the challenge of sea-level rise in False Creek, developed by two international teams through the Sea2City Design Challenge.
    
YOUR TURN

Join Theatre Replacement and the Sea2City Design Challenge at Milton Wong Plaza in Olympic Village on July 17 to experience Town Choir. The Sea2City Intergenerational Photo Project will also be on display - participants worked together to compose photographs about sea level rise and how it will impact the people, locations and activities they care about. Find more details about the event here. 

You can also check out the draft Sea2City Design Challenge concepts at upcoming Community Conversations on July 20 and 26 for an in-depth presentation, and to share your thoughts on the draft design ideas. 

SUPPORTING: CLIMATE ADAPTATION

As we head outside to enjoy our beautiful city during the summer months, our litter bins fill up more than usual. Garbage collection from public waste bins typically doubles during the summer compared to the rest of the year.

• Setting out additional waste bins in parks and public plazas and increasing the frequency of collection. 
• Increasing street cleaning services in high priority areas, with increased flushing, sweeping, and abandoned garbage collection. 
• Increasing micro-cleaning services in public plazas, through our Street Cleaning Grant Program.

YOUR TURN

We’re asking everyone to put waste in its place and help the City keep our parks, beaches and other cherished public spaces litter free. 

Here are a few tips that can help:

• Use reusable water bottles, travel mugs, cutlery and containers.
• Try out the “Pack-In, Pack-Out” method, especially for large gatherings. Group gatherings often result in excess waste and can quickly overfill waste bins. Bring waste home with you to properly sort and dispose of. 
• Use a pocket ashtray for your cigarette butts until you are close to a waste bin.
• Use our Zero Waste Stations to sort your waste.
• Call 3-1-1 or report on VanConnect when you see an overflowing waste bin. It helps us know where adjustments are needed.

You can find more zero waste tips that can help us work together for a litter-free Vancouver here.

SUPPORTING: ZERO WASTE