Solar Forest, LEED for Neighbourhoods, Green Brother – GC News #643

643: 10 August 2009 – Published by Green Communities Canada

NEW STAFF. Bridget Indelicato is Green Communities Canada’s new Administrative Assistant. Bridget has worked for prominent non-profit arts organizations in Toronto over the past 10 years. She is currently transitioning into the environmental field: she volunteered with Peterborough Green Up’s Ecology Parkand helped lead green initiatives for Peterborough Folk Festival.

RESULTS. Thousands of residents and businesses accessed energy efficiency grants throughSustainable Saanich pilot project, a partnership between BC Hydro and City Green Solutions. Included: presentations, workshops, customized GreenStart consultations for renovators and developers, and a listserv. Participation in ecoENERGY grants for homeowners program increased four times faster in Saanich than the BC average.

SOLAR FOREST. Superior Renewable Energy Cooperative will install four Spruce-tree-shaped 8-metre high solar panels in Thunder Bay. "The energy generated by the arrays will be equivalent to the average energy consumed daily by one household," says Ellen Mortfield, EcoSuperior executive director and a Cooperative board member. See video.

SHORELINE STEWARDSHIP. Peterborough Green-Up’s Lakeland Alliance got a two-page spread in The Haliburton County Echo. At least 50 properties will be inspected this summer on Soyers and Kashagawigamog Lakes. See shoreline owner’s guide.

NEW FUNDING. The Government of Canada’s $4 billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is aimed at infrastructure projects over the next two years. Call for proposals is limited to not-for-profit organizations in Ontario. Application deadline: 18 August, but projects are considered on first-come basis.

RETROFIT CONFERENCE. Energy Retrofits for Houses conference will benefit auditors, insulators, renovators, building inspectors, building scientists, municipal and provincial officials, and utilities. Includes: workshops, case studies, US weatherization experts, exposition of technologies, products and services. Modeled after US Affordable Comfort conferences. Toronto, 28-29 October.

LEED FOR NEIGHBOURHOODS. Canadian Green Building Council (CaGBC) plans to introduce a LEED for Neighbourhood development rating system to guide and assess sustainable community development in 2010 … GreenHomeTV chats with CaGBC’s president.

SUSTAINABILITY PLAN. Natural Step’s Community Sustainability Planning Course provides tools and skills to build an integrated community sustainability plan. Online seminars, in-person workshops and applied project work. Starts 6 October.

SEEKING NOMINATIONS. Women of the Earth Awards rewards three Canadian women who contribute to a greener world. Nominations due 30 September.

ENERGY. First Ontario Sustainable Energy Association Community Power Conference will connect organizations to a network of industry professionals and community power groups interested in developing and producing sustainable energy initiatives. Toronto, 15-16 November.

CARBON OFFSETS. Purchasing Carbon Offsets: A Guide for Canadian Consumers ranks 20 carbon offset vendors on the quality of the offsets they sell, as well as on some of their business practices. By David Suzuki Foundation and Pembina Institute.

CAP AND TRADE. North American Cap-and-Trade Regulation: Compliance Requirements and Offset Eligibility report provides an overview of cap-and-trade systems and a detailed review of existing and emerging schemes in North America.

GREEN BROTHER. A US congressman is pushing for a social and behavioural research program to help better package energy-savings programs … A study identifies psychological barriers to behavioral changes in regards to global warming: uncertainty, mistrust of scientists, denial, undervaluing risks, lack of control, and habit.

UNSUSTAINABLE VIEW. Breathtaking documentary Home captures the landscapes of 54 countries from above and shows how Earth’s treasures are being destroyed.

JOBS. Durham Sustain-Ability, Project Coordinator/The Scugog Connection. Due 27 August … City of Mississauga, Manager/Environmental Management. Due 21 August … Georgian Bay Land Trust, Communications/Development Administrator. Toronto, due 4 September.