Vancouver - While pursuing the title of 'greenest city in the world,' Metro Vancouver has been selected for a beta test of mobile coupon technology.Local charitable initiative Green Zebra has partnered with Vancouver-based digital media giant 3rdWhale to launch a mobile platform connecting anyone with an iPhone to Find Green - a directory of local, sustainable businesses complete with a growing supply of coupons.Free to download, the Find Green search app is live in hundreds of cities across North America.  For visitors already accustomed to using Find Green, Green Zebra's coupons are a bonus unique to Metro Vancouver.While Find Green has been called a Yelp service for the eco-conscious - indeed, it's the only source for green mobile coupons - ... continue reading.

Vancouver - Forest industry unions and leading environmental groups have united behind a plan that calls on the BC government to conserve more forest, halt rampant wood waste and promote wise use of forest products -- all as part of a concerted effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."We have joined forces, post Copenhagen, to say that BC must lead by example with innovations that fully promote carbon storage in our forests and forest products," says Ben Parfitt, the plan's author and resource policy analyst with the BC Office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. "Today's report represents an entirely new approach to managing BC's forests, rethinking what we do through the lens of maximizing carbon capture.""Woodworkers and environmentalists alike ... continue reading.

Solar hot water heating is mainstream in Europe.  The BC Sustainable Energy Association (BCSEA) states that, "plans [are] afoot that by 2030, 50% of Europe's space heating needs will be met by stored solar thermal energy".SolarBC's Nitya Harris and BCSEA's Guy Dauncey will explain what's happening with solar water heating, how solar thermal systems work, how you can benefit from SolarBC program of grants and incentives to install a solar thermal system on your own roof. The free, one-hour lunchtime webinar is on:Date:  Tuesday September 15, 2009Time:  Noon to 1:00 p.m. (PST)Location:  Your computer!Register:  online with BCSEAFor more info, contact:BC Sustainable Energy Association 5 - 4217 Glanford Avenue Victoria, BC, V8Z 4B9 250.744.2720info[at]bcsea.orgThe BC Sustainable Energy Association offers this series ... continue reading.

Learn more about career opportunities in B.C.'s growing "green" sectors.The Burnaby Employment Resource Centre, in conjunction with the B.C. Labour Market Report, has brought together representatives from leading environmental companies, organizations, associations, and training programs to discuss:green jobs in fields such as architecture, utilities, engineering, construction, manufacturing, waste management, management consulting, and public awarenesscertification and training requirementshow to get started on a green career pathwho's hiring and what skills are in demand  Date:  Thursday, October 1, 2009Time:  1:00 to 3:00 p.m.Location:  Michael J. Fox Theatre, 7373 McPherson Ave., Burnaby, B.C.Map:  View hereCommute:  500 metres from Royal Oak skytrain stationParking:  free limited parking at Michael J. Fox TheatreAdmission:  FreeRegister with Training Innovations at:  http://www.training-innovations.com/register-for-gc  For more information, contact: Training Innovations, Inc. ... continue reading.

GLOBE-Net (August 26, 2009) - The Kasian designed YVR Airport Rapid Transit Station offers the world a window to the spectacular natural beauty of British Columbia. As the starting point of the new Canada Line rapid transit route, the YVR Airport Station features the largest green wall in North America, sweeping west coast views, and a direct connection to the city of Vancouver. "The YVR Airport Station is all about connections," says Don Kasian, principal at Kasian Architecture, Design and Planning. "This will be one of the first impressions visitors get of British Columbia and Canada. The project takes every opportunity to get people to and from Vancouver quickly and safely, but also connects them emotionally to the city ... continue reading.

Ottawa - The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) voiced its support for the BC Government's continued desire to pursue new renewable energy projects as evidenced by Minister Lekstrom's, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, response to the recent ruling by the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) on the Long Term Acquisition Plan proposed by BC Hydro.CanWEA further supports BC Hydro's recommended goal of acquiring 3000GwH of renewable electricity, and notes that BC Hydro has received numerous proposals through its recent call for power that would allow it to meet and exceed this goal. Securing such power will allow the province to reduce emissions and create new jobs and investment in a clean energy economy.The BC Government's Energy Plan clearly ... continue reading.

The Vancouver Sun reports:   May 6, 2009 -- Condo buyers at Concord Pacific's new Cosmo building in downtown Vancouver will have the capacity to plug in and charge their electric vehicles."This is about sustainability," Concord senior vice-president Peter Webb said in an interview after Wednesday's announcement. "We're saying it's no longer science fiction. It's a reality. "It's also not long before high-density projects without plug-in capability will be obsolete. It will be like buying a TV today without high definition. We think for the purchasers, this project will give them a longer market advantage." According to a release, the planned 23-storey building at the corner of Georgia and Beatty -- to be ready for occupancy by 2012 -- will have ... continue reading.

Research infrastructure and sustainability at the University of British Columbia today received a major boost from the federal and provincial governments totaling nearly $68 million. The investment was announced April 8 in Victoria by Tony Clement, federal Minister of Industry and Murray Coell, provincial Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development. The Biological Sciences West and South buildings at UBC's Vancouver campus will receive $65 million to renovate research facilities and classrooms originally built more than 50 years ago, while incorporating the latest sustainable features. The Geoexchange System at UBC Okanagan, which uses groundwater from under the campus to heat and cool buildings, will receive $2.9 million to make the campus emissions-free by 2010. The provincial and federal ... continue reading.

February 13, 2009 - For some great stories about how heritage buildings can retain their historic character, while renovating for the "green" future, check out the Vancouver Heritage Foundation. They have released a new Green Guide to Heritage Conservation called "New Life Old Buildings" that offers tips and resources to renovating for the future while paying tribute to the past. Read the following background information, taken from their website:  "New Life" and "Old Buildings" appear as contradicting philosophies. Why would a heritage organization that deals with historic buildings be interested in modern green-building techniques?In the words of American architect, Carl Elefante, "Even if every new building from this day hence has a vegetative roof, is powered only with renewable energy sources, and is built entirely ... continue reading.

The United Nations Foundation (UNF) website received more than a face lift. It was revamped and relaunched on September 10th by Communicopia, a Vancouver- based web developer, to convey the full scope and global impact of work by the public charity. The two organizations were a perfect match. The UN Foundation "connects people, ideas and resources with the United Nations to help decrease child mortality, advance a clean energy future, empower women and girls, improve disaster relief, protect World Heritage, and improve U.S.-UN relations." With the redesign, Communicopia states that the website now "empowers the UNF staff to tell stories from their many campaigns, supports individuals to participate in the work of the UN, highlights their partnerships based approach to ... continue reading.