Future of ecoEnergy, Infrared Audits, World Without People – GCNews #675

675: 6 April 2010 – Published by Green Communities Canada.

ECOENERGY WIND-DOWN. Cancelling the federal ecoENERGY home retrofit incentive program is a “serious mistake,” says a media release from Green Communities Canada. (“Don’t pull the plug on home energy progress.”) On Wednesday, Ottawa abruptly announced that no new customers would be allowed to enter, beginning the wind-down of the federal program over the coming months. “Instead of turning its back on energy efficiency, Ottawa should demonstrate vision and leadership. Canada needs a bold commitment to bring Canada’s inefficient housing stock into the 21st Century” … Other media from Green Communities includes releases from City Green Solutions (“Harper flip-flops on energy efficiency.”), Windfall Ecology Centre and Peterborough Green-Up. Green Communities Canada vice chair Bruce Pearce appeared in a lively interview on the St John’s CBC Radio morning show.

FUTURE OF ECOENERGY. Supporters of home energy efficiency are urging the federal government to extend the ecoENERGY retrofit incentive program (write to the Prime Minister). Meanwhile, it appears that the feds will continue to process new ecoENERGY audits for other programs. Although customers will not be eligible for federal incentives, they will still be able to access any provincial incentives which continue to piggy-back on the federal program. Details to come.

POSITIVE ENERGY. We have established a list serve about the future of ecoENERGY and home energy efficiency in Canada. To request membership, email Clifford Maynes.

SHEPPARD HOUSE. The historic Charles Henry Sheppard residence in Aurora, home to the Windfall Ecology Centre, will receive $255,000 in federal-provincial stimulus funding. The building, owned by the Ontario Heritage Trust, is being rehabilitated in an energy efficient manner … Windfall is holding an open house 23 April, 2–7 p.m. showcasing energy efficient retrofit work, the solar array, wood gasification boiler, and green kitchen renovation. Windfall has produced how-to guidance for retrofitting heritage homes.

INFRARED AUDIT. Victoria City Green Solutions offers Thermal Imaging Assessments using an infrared camera. “The camera doesn’t actually see through your walls, but the heat patterns reveal what’s going on under the surface, finding issues you might otherwise need to tear your walls or ceiling open to see.”

SOLAR PROGRAM. ”Seventy-four per cent of the buildings in Perth are suitable for retrofit to solar energy, according to a recent survey by ecoPerth.  EcoPerth has its own PV panel program and can offer systems at below retail cost, plus installation. Next seminar 7 April. RSVP.

WIMBA INNOVATIONS. Green IT Manager Bruce Roxburgh  presented at Wimba Connect 2010 conference in Orlando March 21 to 23, demonstrating the unique and exciting ways Green Communities Canada uses Wimba Classroom to collaborate at the grassroots level. Bruce is back with new insight on use of Wimba for presenting video and recording live sessions online, then using the archives for training, marketing and developmental purposes.

SPRING CLEANING. EcoSuperior’s 14th annual Spring Up To Clean Up  takes place during the month of May. Last year close to 11,000 volunteers cleaned up 250 areas in and around the City, including 1,100 staff at 100 workplaces who took part in the 20-Minute Makeover launch event … Thunder Bay’s first Community Yard Sale Day is 1 May.

LAKESHORE STEWARDSHIP. Peterborough Green Up Lakeland Alliance workshop addresses issues affecting lake-based business owners and shows how they can become more environmentally-friendly. 9 April.

FOLLOW THE LEADER. A Quebec survey places Stephen Guilbault of Équiterre in second position (before Cirque du Soleil Guy Laliberté) as a positive and inspiring leader.

GREENSTYLE. An Australian organization has documented its experiences in delivering a “free holistic advisory service” that combines sustainable practice advice on solar, water tanks, native plants, turning your swimming pool into a pond “while primarily looking at waterways and wildlife corridors on land adjoining private properties.” See video.

CONTEST. International writing and photography contest Young Reporters for the Environment  invites youth to submit a piece about climate change, water, energy or biodiversity. Due 30 April.

WORLD WITHOUT PEOPLE. The World Without Us (book) explains how our massive infrastructure would collapse and vanish without human presence … Life after People television series explores the same concept visually..

JOBS. reThink Green, Residential Energy Efficiency Facilitator. Sudbury,  due 16 April … EcoSuperior,  Active Transportation Program Assistant. Due 6 April … New Brunswick Environmental Network, Events and Youth Outreach
Coordinator. Due 12 April … Resource Efficient Agriculture Production Canada, youth internship: Renewable Energy Intern, Ecological Farming. Canada, Gambia, Senegal, due 30 April.