Suzuki Solutions, Earth Valentine, and Ecodriving Overdrive – GCNews #674

674: 29 March 2010 – Published by Green Communities Canada.

SCHOOL TRAVEL. Green Communities Canada’s School Travel Planning program expands nationwide thanks to $2.1 million in funding through the Coalitions Linking Action and Science for Prevention (CLASP) initiative, of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. School Travel Planning (STP) will reach 120 schools. See pictures from launch in Winnipeg.

EARTH VALENTINE. "Every hour is Earth Hour at the Environment Network, but it’s a good reminder, just like Valentine’s Day is, to tell people that you love them," says Michelle Rich, EN executive director. 

RENEWABLE CONFERENCE. Brent Kopperson, executive director of Windfall Ecology Centre and director of GCC Board, presents Pukwis Energy Co-op case study at the Community Power Finance Forum.  Toronto, May 10.

ECO-COMMERCIALS. EcoSuperior’s three new home energy service commercials star EcoSuperior advisors … See Windfall Ecology Centre’s newest videos on ecoEnergy and Rain Saver.

MONTREAL SUSTAINABLE CENTRE. Donor partners and member organizations, including Equiterre, attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Centre for Sustainable Development that will open in September 2011. A $27 M project, the building will be one of the most ecological in Canada and a hub for proponents of sustainable development.

EFFICIENCY FUNDING. LiveSmart BC Efficiency Incentive program, that was cancelled in August 2009, will receive $35M in renewed funding over three years. “We think this funding is to be complemented by funds from the Utilities, which haven’t announced their contribution yet," says Peter Sundberg, executive director of BC City Green Solutions (Victoria).

ECODRIVING OVERDRIVE. Clean Nova Scotia Drive­Wiser’s Eco-Driving Rally & Green Vehicle Showcase  take place during Environment Week in June … Winning entry to DriverWiser’s Bumper Sticker Design Contest: “Driving slower keeps emissions lower” … Toronto Green Community offers EcoDriver tips in Inside Toronto article … Ranjana Mitra, of Community Environment Alliance, got an EcoDriver article and ad in the Awwaz Newspaper, in Punjabi … EcoSuperior EcoDriver commercials include Red Light and Pump Me Up  … ecoDriver Manitoba Public Service Announcements are currently running on University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg radio stations: Maintain Your Habits, Check your Tire Pressure and Check Your Air Filter … Ron Groves, of Windfall Ecology Centre, talks about ecoDriver Winter Driving Tips on Rogers.

KATIMAVIK. Participants in the Katimavik youth program will volunteer hours with Rideau Environmental Action League (REAL Action). Windfall Ecology Centre has a similar arrangement.

WATER EFFICIENCY GRANT. Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation completed its first not-for-profit housing complex water retrofits last fall, providing  64 new six-litre flush toilets and disposing of  old units. BNRC’s energy efficiency program will monitor the reduction in water consumption and waste water disposal. The program received $97,000 from Western Economic Diversification Canada fund.

SUZUKI SOLUTIONS. Solutions is an bi-monthly online and print publication devoted exclusively to showcasing bold and innovative ideas for solving the world’s climate change, ecological, and socio-economic problems. Solutions is soliciting articles.

LIKE A NON-PROFIT. We should tell private sector business to "be as efficient as a non-profit," muses the Blue Avocado. “Don’t forget that many corporate ‘best practices’ were born in the non-profit sector … We in community nonprofits are so bombarded with advice and criticism that we can forget the powerful force for innovation that we are … not just in social change but in management practice.”

WEAK BOARDS. The Executive Director is ultimately responsible, says Blue Avocado.

HAMMER OF HOPE. The Hammer of Hope Ride takes cyclists from Waterloo to Ottawa to raise money for sustainable building initiatives across Canada; 10% of all funds raised goes to Haiti rebuilding efforts.  24-27 April.

JOBS. Local Food Plus, Market Development Manager, Toronto, due 31 March … Genuine Energy, Solar Sales Consultant. Ottawa, due 2 April.