u/shaumean

Destination Vancouver did a great job putting together a 3-day itinerary that showcases the best of Vancouver, with tips and tidbits such as...

• Harbour Air has been carbon-neutral since 2007, making it the first such airline in North America. They're also developing ePlane, which will be a welcome change not just for reducing their carbon footprint but also noise pollution... their current planes are really loud!
• YVR has been carbon neutral since 2020!
• Check if your hotel offers complimentary bike rentals
• The Eye of the Wind, the turbine on Grouse Mountain, generates enough power for 260 homes!
• You probably know that Vancouver is home to David Suzuki and his foundation, but did you know that it's also the birthplace of Greenpeace?
• Check out Salmon n'Bannock for coastal Indigenous flavours!

See the full itinery here or customize your experience using their AI tool 😉
https://www.destinationvancouver.com/plan-your-trip/itineraries/a-sustainable-city-experience

Extra Extra, this Month's Greenest City Newsletter is out!
https://link.lists.vancouver.ca/v/443/81f138bdeac23c113534ac2bf9b0b519104e3d5a46fb349d

In this issue...

• Register for Go by Bike Week and log your ride daily to win prizes! May 3 - to June 5 https://hubcycling.ca/events/go-by-bike-week

• Register for the St George Rainway Bee Bioblitz, a great event to put on your citizen scientist goggles and lab coat (very optional), learn about bees, and count insect species! https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/st-george-rainway-bee-bioblitz-tickets-1985005201994

  • Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6hDqJ5JuDdXBRybp6
  • Saturday, May 23, 1 - 3 pm

• And many other free events!

  • Plant maintenance https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/plant-maintenance-bioblitz-at-renfrew-community-park-tickets-1988939524659
    • Renfrew Community Park
    • Wednesday, May 20, 5:30 - 8:30 pm
  • Hastings Sunrise cleanup https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicOrganization/c6e38574-b5fa-4920-9679-a5ec7c8dd23c/Activity/31e26452-01a2-4266-9628-789ab77586a2/
    • Kiwassa Neighbourhood House
    • Thursday, May 28, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
  • Climate Cafe for Seniors https://anc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com/vancouver/activity/search/detail/612395
    • Kitsilano Community Centre
    • Friday, May 29, 1 - 2:30 pm
  • Pop-up Recycling & Free Swap https://vancouver.ca/news-calendar/calendar-of-events.aspx?eventid=197270636&trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D197270636
    • AR Lord Elementary School
    • Saturday, May 30, 10 am - 1 pm

• And more! Once again, here's the link to the newsletter, where you can subscribe to future issues! https://link.lists.vancouver.ca/v/443/81f138bdeac23c113534ac2bf9b0b519104e3d5a46fb349d

Every Friday, BC Impact & Sustainability Collective publishes a job roundup, kudos to them!
Follow their LinkedIn page if you're interested in these updates.

Here's this week's post:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/britishcolumbia-bcjobs-impactjobs-share-7461139865594875905-eHpz/
All the best to you if you're job hunting or thinking of changing careers! 🤞

As everyone already knows, Stage 2 Water Restriction is in full effect in Metro Vancouver. The warm Spring is certainly not helping the unseasonably low snow pack. While this week's cooler weather and occasional showers are definitely a welcome change, it still takes ALL OF US to prevent Day Zero.

Here are a couple notes to protect our water & waterways:

1. Car wash is actually allowed during Stage 2 (see here for a full list of dos and don'ts, e.g. powerwashing, water fountains, etc). BUT! Stage 2 or not, cars can only be washed on private driveways, preferably on permeable surfaces. It's illegal to wash cars on the street, at least in Vancouver. Better yet, go to a car wash as they typically use 7x less water than a DIY car wash. Even better, let your car go dirty for the environment, or try a carless life 😄
2. You can remind neighbours of the water restrictions. Failing that, the next step would be to report it to your city, e.g. Vancouver or Burnaby.

Are these types of tips helpful? Is there anything you'd like to share about water dos, dont's, and tips? I'm still looking for a way to recycle shower water without plumbing modification, suggestions welcome!

Wanna see microclimate in action? Travel through these colours to see how trees cool us down on a hot summer day.

Tree Canopy Coverage https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/local-news/vancouvers-urban-forests-grow-4-over-decade-9224052

https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/vancouvers-tree-canopy-is-expanding-to-help-protect-from-extreme-heat/

That's why the City is planting more trees: not just as a carbon-negative way to increase safety, but also as an additional boost to urban biodiversity.

This brings us to climate justice, where the climate crisis affects different demographics unequally. Minorities/those who live in lower-income neighbourhoods or experience existing systemic challenges are often disproportionately affected (think: seniors, children, pregnant women, newcomers, people with disabilities or chronic illness, etc).

https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/courier-archive/news/vancouvers-million-dollar-homes-symbol-of-growing-inequality-3012465

Other than democratize canopy, what else can we do to improve climate resilience and climate justice?

Every Friday, BC Impact & Sustainability Collective publishes a job roundup, kudos to them!
Follow their LinkedIn page if you're interested in these updates.

Here's this week's post:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/britishcolumbia-bcjobs-impactjobs-share-7458585236508008449-UleY/
All the best to you if you're job hunting or thinking of changing careers! 🤞

Have you seen Lime bikes in your area? Feels like they're everywhere now!

According Translink's 2024 report, cycling is usually the fastest option for trips less than 5k (15-20 mins), which make up 50% of Metro Vancouver trips.
https://www.translink.ca/-/media/translink/documents/rider-guide/cycling/reports/translink-state-of-cycling-in-metro-vancouver-2024.pdf
(I can attest to this, biking is often faster than taking the bus/driving)

Now there's an even faster option: Lime bikes!
And if you qualify for the Lime Access Program, you can get up to 70% off, according to this page:
https://limeaccess.zendesk.com/hc/en-gb/articles/10765058012187-Lime-Access-Program-Overview-Apply-Canada

Disclaimer: unfortunately, I'm not affiliated with Lime, so I don't benefit from this post 🙃 nor can I help you with the application.
Please do share if you're able to enroll in this program & access the discount, as I couldn't find further info online.

Share with people who're qualified, and remember to ride safe!!

Most countries celebrate May 1 as their Labour Day, so Happy Workers' Day, international friends!

Every Friday, BC Impact & Sustainability Collective publishes a job roundup, kudos to them!
Follow their LinkedIn page if you're interested in these updates.

Here's this week's post
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/britishcolumbia-bcjobs-impactjobs-share-7456043715221110784-dtq_/
All the best to you if you're job hunting or thinking of changing careers! 🤞

As humans, it's difficult (or at least for me) to empathize with entities not like us. Case in point: how often do we stop and think about creatures lurking in the dark? I feel safer if I can see clearly, so what if the night is too bright for them?

International Dark Sky Week is celebrated during April's new moon (13th-20th this time), reminding us that light can be a form of pollution, and highlighting (pun intended) its impact on wildlife (E.g. 🐝, 🐸, and 🦇. Yes, there are bats in Vancouver!), human health, and energy waste, advocating for responsible lighting.

Gladsaxe, Denmark's solution? Red lights. Other pioneers include Metz, France; Worcestershire, UK; Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Could it be adapted in Vancouver? If so, what needs to happen for it to work? Personally, I think this looks trippy/spooky/scary/intimidating, but I'd love to see it IRL! What are your thoughts?

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/cities-turn-streetlights-red-to-protect-nocturnal-ecosystems

https://preview.redd.it/kkz91x5hh9yg1.jpg?width=580&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7995d4443d323cab428664f52fe19702f3a28ee7

Every Friday, BC Impact & Sustainability Collective publishes a job roundup.
Follow them on LinkedIn if you're interested in these updates.

Here's this week's post:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/bc-impact-sustainability-collective_britishcolumbia-bcjobs-impactjobs-activity-7453535189038682112-yWF2/

Fear not if you missed the earlier celebrations, there's still time to participate this weekend 🥳

Surrey Civic Plaza | Party for the Planet | Sat Apr 25 11 am - 7 pm
Plant sale, sustainable marketplace, food trucks, tomato plant giveaway, bike smoothies, kid activities, and more!

Everett Crowley Park | Earth Fest | Sat Apr 25 11 am - 3 pm
Live music, eco arts, sustainability booths, nature activities, and more!

Trout Lake | 5th Annual Earth Day | Sun Apr 26 11 am - 2 pm
Seed potting, zero waste collection, mend and learn, bike repair, medicine wheel, drumming circle, and more!

Being painfully aware that sustainability all day, every day can get boring at best and irritating at worst, I'm always searching for interesting & relevant stories to mix it up and have fun.

Today's post is a product of such solo-brainstorming.
One of my oldest possessions is this pair of shorts, born circa 2001, which makes them older than most Gen Zers 😆

https://preview.redd.it/r7fpi57000xg1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1ab0a9171b8faabad03ec6492159cf3e195483e9

What is something you've had forever and still serves you well? 🥳