CHBE Sustainability Newsletter (March 2010)
Caroline Cloutier
**
history with 39,000 travelers. If we assumed an average flight distance of5,000 km per passenger (conservative estimate), yesterday flights would be
the equivalent of 7,000 cars on the road for a year...So what can be green about the Olympic?The green effect could be more a local one. Vancouver Olympic Committee made
the car drivers life hard during the past two weeks in downtown Vancouver.Many park meters were shut down, fees were increased and public parking were
charging up to $100/day. Some roads and viaduct were closed. Olympic ticketholders had free access to public transportation. The number of buses were
boosted. A tramway was shipped from Europe to link the Canada line toGranville Island. The end results was that buses, sky train, subway were
jammed packed with people. Robson Street and Granville street were vibrantand packed with pedestrians. Vancouverites, athletes and tourists
experiences something amazing, Vancouver was truly a live city!Would this past two weeks give the taste to Vancouverites of what could be aworld not dominate by car and parking lot? I hope so. Some c*ouncillors* in
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/02/22/bc-dowtown-viaducts-meggs.html#socialcomments
Alexandre, for the CHBE Sustainability Club
In the news:
UBC building will be world's 'greenest'
http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/building+will+world+greenest/2619519/story.html
Photosynthesis: A New Source of Electrical Energy? Biofuel Cell Works in Cactus
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100218092846.htm
Australia carbon neutral by 2020?
http://www.mnn.com/technology/research-innovations/blogs/australia-carbon-neutral-by-2020
Biomass – An Emerging Fuel for Power Generation
New Energy Harvesting Network Means Batteries Not Included
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100225084634.htm
*Bad news*
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/feb/15/biofuels-food-production-developing-countries
Al Gore takes aim at climate change skeptics
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6200OE20100301?type=politicsNews
Tsunami of e-waste could swamp developing countries, report warns
Games show why global warming must be tackled
http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion/Games+show+global+warming+must+tackled/2601049/story.html
Grizzly bears being killed in B.C. parks, protected areas: review
http://novae.ca/actualites/2009-12/centraide-mobilise-grace-aux-medias-sociaux
MEC, chef de file de l'approvisionnement responsible
http://novae.ca/actualites/2010-02/mec-chef-de-file-de-lapprovisionnement-responsable
Habitation - Des villes plus denses... et plus vertes
A fast method for updating global fossil fuel carbon dioxide emissions
http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/4/3/034012/fulltext?ejredirect=.iopscience
Do pyrotechnics contain radium?
http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/4/3/034006/pdf/1748-9326_4_3_034006.pdf
Sustainable Transportation:
From the man who brought you the $100 laptop, an electric vehicle for the developing world
Take Action:
Stop Facebook from Switching to Dirty Coal
http://environment.change.org/actions/view/stop_facebook_from_switching_to_dirty_coal
Take Action to protect livelihoods of people and environment along Kutch coast
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/kutch-coast.html
Urge the EPA to Take Action on Global Warming!
http://ga3.org/campaign/epa_global_warming
Demand Justice for Whale Defenders
http://environment.change.org/actions/view/demand_justice_for_whale_defenders
Conferences:
World Renerwable Energy Technology Congress & Expo
18 to 20 March 2010, New Delhi, Indiahttp://www.wretc.in
The Second International Conference on Integrated Water Resources Management and challenges of Sustainable Development (GIRE3D)
24 to 26 March 2010, Agadir, Agadir, Morocco http://www.fsa.ac.ma/gire3d
The Sustainable Corporation: Solutions from the Innovation 25 March 2010, San Jose, California, United States
2 to 11 April 2010, Bayamo, Granma, Cuba
http://www.globalexchange.org/tours/1009.html
Events Section
UBC Events:
1. NOW! No Other World Conference: Sustainability Talks
2. 2010 SCARP Symposium: Planning for Resilience
3. Biodiversity of Southern Alaska and Yukon
4. Thinking and Acting Globally: Benevolence and the Desire to Make a Difference
5. Edu-camp 2010: Sustainability Education
6. “Four Ways to Combat Climate Change" lecture by Professor Robert L. Evans
1. Heating your Home Workshop
2. Guest Expert Speaker Series - Jamee Desimone on Net Zero Energy Homes
3. Soil Testing and Amending your Soil Workshop. - Very Hands On!
4. Greening your Condo Workshop
5. Rating Systems for Homes Workshop
6. Guido Wimmers - Guest Expert on Passiv Haus
7. Globe 2010
8. Promoting Fuel Efficient Automobiles Webinar
9. Earth Hour 2010
10. e² design Film Series
NOW! No Other World Conference: Sustainability Talks apply to speak today
• Date: March 11th-13th, 2010
• Location: UBC (mixed locations)
• Cost: Free for students
• Organizer: Common Energy UBC and UBC Student Environment Centre
• Details: If you have an idea about climate change or sustainability? Come share it at the NOW! UBC Climate Change Conference! NOW! is a climate action conference empowering students to become climate leaders through their lifestyles, careers, and political voices. UBC's March 2010 NOW! UBC Climate Change Conference is seeking inspirational and creative speakers for the talk of their life! Selected talks will be centered around sustainability or climate change ideas, innovations, or insights with the aim of promoting sustainable thinking and motivating students towards climate activism. Talks will take place on March 13, 2010, specific time slot TBA shortly. To apply: Please send your name, contact info, one paragraph about yourself, and one paragraph outlining your talk idea (approx. 200 words each) to now...@gmail.com. Applicants do not need to be UBC students. SFU, UVic & high school students as well as community members are encouraged to apply. DEADLINE is February 28th, 2010. http://nowubc.wordpress.com/
2010 SCARP Symposium: Planning for Resilience
• Date: March 4 7pm-10pm/March 5 8am-430pm
• Location: Several Locations (click here for schedule: http://cfis.ubc.ca/resilienceschedule.html)
• Cost: $25 for students
• Organizer: School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP)
• Details: The School of Community and Regional Planning at UBC (SCARP) is excited to announce its 2nd Annual Symposium and this year’s topic of Planning for Resilience. Make sure to check out the following food-related session: People Systems in Support of Food Systems: Harvesting Social Capital for Healthy Food Systems. For more information and to register go to http://cfis.ubc.ca/resiliencehome.html
Biodiversity of Southern Alaska and Yukon
• Date: March 8, 2010 12pm – 1pm
• Location: UBC Botanical Garden Reception Centre, near the main entrance
• Cost: $5.00
• Organizer: UBC Botanical Gardens
• Details: The education theme for March is Biodiversity and the North. Join Daniel Mosquin for this travelogue and exploration of the biodiversity and landscapes of southern Alaska and Yukon. Please Note Bring a bag lunch. Coffee and tea supplied. Fee collected at the door. Please call 604-822-4208 or email the UBC Botanical Garden reception desk in advance to book a seat. For more information, please visit http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/education/courses/biodiversity-alaska-yukon.php
Experience Winter at UBC Botanical Garden During the Games
• Date: March 12-21 11AM-12PM Drop-in tours
• Location: UBC Botanical Gardens 6804 SW Marine Drive
• Cost: Free for Students
• Organizer: UBC Botanical Gardens
• Details: Visit Canada’s oldest continually operating University Botanical Garden. Includes over 8000 different plants in roughly 12 000 living accessions. As well as Botanical and Nitobe gardens, nursery, greenhouses, research plots (Totem Field), and research laboratories. For more information: Visit www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org or call 604-822-4208.
Edu-camp 2010: Sustainability Education
• Date: March 18, 2010 8:30am-4:30pm
• Location: Lillooet Room (3rd Floor), Irving K. Barber Learning Centre
• Cost: Free
• Organizer: Office of Learning and Technology
• Details: Educamp 2010 is a day of thinking AND doing, focusing on examining current trends in teaching and learning in the "Thinking" sessions and as well as offering compatible hands-on sessions using technology tools in the “Doing” sessions! This year we are focusing on a theme of sustainability education. Sustainability Education is one of the most critical investments we can make for our future. It is a transformative, learner-centred model that promotes action and reflection in challenging and dynamic ways. At the 2010 Educamp, we focus on 5 sustainability education streams: Community Service Learning, Lifetime Learning (never stop discovering), Systems Thinking (nothing exists in isolation), Personal Responsibility (you are your brothers’ keeper), and Hands-on Experiential Learning. Educamp 2010 is must for anyone involved in learning and learning at UBC, as well as those interested in learning more about how technology is supporting this rapidly evolving area. Registration is now open! Complete the online form at http://educamp.olt.ubc.ca/registration and visit http://educamp.olt.ubc.ca for more information.
"Four Ways to Combat Climate Change," a public lecture by Professor Robert L. Evans
• Date: Tuesday, March 9, 6:30-8pm
• Location: Room C300, UBC Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver
• Cost: Free
• Organizer: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Clean Energy Research Centre
• Details: You are cordially invited to attend *"Four Ways to Combat Climate Change," *a public lecture by *Professor Robert L. Evans*, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Founding Director of the Clean Energy Research Centre, author of "Fueling Our Future: an Introduction to Sustainable Energy." As a part of UBC Applied Science Making a Difference lecture series, Professor Evans will be looking at energy use, and its impact on the environment, being one of the most important technical, social, and public-policy issues that face mankind today. With only four ways to reduce our overwhelming reliance on fossil fuels, he will outline how these techniques can be used to combat climate change. RSVP using the online form www.apsc.ubc.ca/celebrateresearchrsvp
Vancouver Event Details:
Heating your Home Workshop
• Mar 13, 2010
• 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
• Location: Light House, 2060 Pine St
• Organizer: Light House Sustainable Building Centre
• Details: Light House will present four case studies of homes that participated in our 2010 Green Building Challenge: the Norman Residence, the Hayter Residence, the Babicki-Moore Residence, and the Mah Residence. Come learn about the energy, water and waste reductions achieved, challenges encountered, and lessons learned by the owners of each project. Whether you are planning a major renovation or a few minor upgrades, there are many ways to improve the comfort and efficiency of your home, including: upgrading your heating system and envelope, passive design, and utilizing renewable energy. The workshop will be followed by a tour of the Babicki-Moore Residence. Cost: $25.
• Website: http://www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com/2010_green_building_challenge_workshop-heating_your_home
Guest Expert Speaker Series - Jamee Desimone on Net Zero Energy Homes
• Mar 13, 2010
• 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
• Location: 2060 Pine Street
• Organizer: Lighthouse Sustainable Building Centre
• Details: Jamee will discuss the building process and attributes of a net zero energy, sustainable building she recently completed in Ontario. The building features include prefabricated strawbale walls, hempcrete insulation, rainwater collection, interior greywater treatment, compost toilets, and much more. Many of these features can be incorporated into conventional building practices and sustainable retrofits for typical homes. She'll discuss the benefits of using sustainable materials not only for the health of the planet, but for o occupants health as well, and where to find these healthy and cost effective materials. Cost: $5 (pay at the door)
• Website: http://www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com/event/%5Btitle%5D_26
• Website: http://eatlocal.org
Soil Testing and Amending your Soil Workshop. - Very Hands On!
• Mar 13, 2010
• 10:30 AM
• Location: MOBY Garden 1735 East 11th ( just 2 blocks from Broadway skytrain)
• Organizer: MOBY
• Details: What is the PH of your soil? We will teach you how test your soil with items you have at home. You can also bring a soil sample we can test ( being 2 water proof containers and 2 handfuls of your soil) You will also learn how to test; drainage, soil type and the general health of your soil. So your soil is a bit too...? Learn how to balance your PH or what plants like the soil you have now. Workshops are by donation. Pay what you can, we suggest $5.
• Website: http://www.myownbackyard.ca/
Greening your Condo Workshop
• Mar 18, 2010
• 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
• Location: Light House, 2060 Pine St
• Organizer: Light House Sustainable Building Centre
• Details: Bring your friends and neighbours to an interactive workshop that will provide hands on advice on how you can reduce waste and improve the environmental footprint of your home. Whether you are a member of a strata or renting an apartment, live/work studio, or live in a single family home, we’ll discuss a variety of products and strategies that are designed to reduce energy and water use and household waste. You’ll also benefit from the lead-by-example strategies which the strata community of Station Place chose to reduce their consumption and lower their greenhouse gas emissions. Cost: $25.
• Website: http://www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com/2010_green_building_challenge_workshop-greening_your_condo
Rating Systems for Homes Workshop
• Mar 20, 2010
• 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
• Location: Light House, 2060 Pine St
• Organizer: Light House Sustainable Building Centre
• Details: Are you building a new home or undertaking a major renovation? Are you considering a green building rating system such as LEED™, BuiltGreen™ and R-2000? Light House will present three case studies of homes that pursued green building ratings in our 2010 Green Building Challenge: the Bal Residence (R-2000), the Strandberg Residence (LEED™ and BuiltGreen™), and the Kerchum Residence (LEED™). Come learn about the energy, water and waste reductions achieved, challenges encountered, and lessons learned by the owners of each project. The workshop will be followed by a tour of the Kerchum Residence. Cost: $25.
Guido Wimmers - Guest Expert on Passiv Haus
• Mar 20, 2010
• 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
• Location: Light House Sustainable Building Centre
• Organizer: 2060 Pine Street, Vancouver
• Details: Guido Wimmers will discuss passive house. He will explain what makes a building environmentally friendly, economical, comfortable, healthy, long lasting and energy efficient. He will give a quick overview about the so called “Passivhaus” in general and he will present the first passive house in BC, the Austria House in Whistler. This building will host the Austrian team, broadcaster and Olympic committee during the games and will be transferred to the municipality of Whistler afterwards to accommodate the mountain bike club and the cross country ski club with adjunct rental facility. The Austria House is also the first solid wood building in BC and was build with prefabricated elements in less than 3 weeks. Cost: $5. Due to space limitations, please RSVP by 5pm on Friday to in...@sustainablebuildingcentre.com or 604-682-5960 for guaranteed entrance. More details online.
• Website: http://www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com/event/%5Btitle%5D_73
Globe 2010
• Mar 24, 2010 to Mar 26, 2010
• Location: Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre
• Organizer: Globe Foundation
• Details: 11th Biennial Conference and Trade Fair on Business and the Environment GLOBE™ is one of North America's largest and most successful events on the business of the environment. Since 1990, GLOBE has welcomed thousands of thought leaders and business executives from around the world to find solutions around energy, finance, climate change, urban development and other key issues at the heart of sustainable development. Nowhere else can you access so many business opportunities and solutions to environmental challenges. Make plans to join us in Vancouver for GLOBE 2010 - the most important environmental business event of the year.
• Website: http://www.globe2010.com
Promoting Fuel Efficient Automobiles Webinar
• Mar 24, 2010
• Location: Online
• Organizer: Cullbridge Marketing and Communications
• Details: Rebecca Spring, Senior Project Manager, Consumer Engagement & Market Transformation, Pollution Probe Dr. Keith Neuman, Group Vice President-Public Affairs, Environics Jim Mintz, Director, Centre of Excellence for Public Sector Marketing Of all the practical household actions North Americans could do in the year ahead, purchasing a fuel-efficient vehicle has one of the greatest potentials for reducing greenhouse gasses, even when factoring in the proportion of people likely to buy the cars in a given year. What are the key barriers and audience segments related to this purchase? This webinar will review recent research findings and social marketing implications for promoting demand for these vehicles at the local and regional levels. Thanks to funding from Natural Resources Canada, this webinar is free for the first 100 qualified Canadian connections. $50 for other registrants. 60 minutes.
• Website: http://webinars.cullbridge.com/course/info.php?id=132
e² design Film Series
• Mar 25, 2010
• 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• Location: 2060 Pine St, Vancouver
• Organizer: Light House Sustainable Building Centre
• Details: e² design is an ongoing PBS series about the pioneers and innovators in the field of sustainable architecture, and how their work is producing solutions to pressing environmental and social challenges. Now entering its third season, the series features compelling stories from around the globe: Beijing to Nova Scotia, Ladakh to New York. Each episode examines the built environment's effects — both ecological, and social — and the design innovations that can reduce buildings' contribution to climate change. Suggested donation: $5. RSVP to: in...@sustainablebuildingcentre.com
Earth Hour 2010
• Mar 27, 2010
• 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM
• Location: worldwide
• Organizer: WWF
• Details: Get inspired to turn out your lights! In 2009 hundreds of millions of people turned out their lights for one hour to show their support for climate action. There’s still more work to be done so please sign up, turn out your lights and show your support. Visit the Earth Hour website to watch it, take action and to sign up.
• Website: http://wwf.ca/earthhour/