Centre for Civic Governance

Municipalities Request Help for Managing Wildlife Populations

Four BC municipalities are putting forward a resolution at this year's upcoming UBCM that asks the Province for help managing expanding wildlife populations.

 Read more in the Vancouver Sun.

Victoria Plans to Stop the Dumping of Sewage into the Ocean

After many years of careful planning, Vancouver Island's Capital Regional District (CRD) has just recieved provincial approval for a $782-million sewage system upgrade that will put an end to the practice of dumping raw sewage into the ocean. Saanich City Councillor, Judy Brownoff, who also serves as chair for the CRD's Sewage Treatment Committee, has stated that the new plant will be "fully contained, odour-free and remove about 80 per cent of biosolids and other contaminants, such as heavy metals and pharmaceuticals."

Read more in the Globe and Mail.

Local Government Toolkit for Sustainable Food Production

Prepared by the Land Conservancy and Farm Folk City Folk, the "Local Government Toolkit for Sustainable Food Production." provides tools and resources for the promotion of local farming and food security. Download here.

Equilibrium Green Home Project generates its own power.

Kamploops BC is home to one of the most energy-efficient homes in the world. The newly built 3,000 square foot home is so efficient, builders predict that annual energy costs will be zero. Using solar power technology, geothermal and hot water recovery, the home's green technologies cost an additional $100,000. It is expected that these costs will go down as green technology is more widely adopted.

Read article in Vancouver Sun here.

Coppenhagen: A Transformed City

"From a traffic infested city to a people oriented city"

 

Watch this video to learn how Coppenhagen became  one of the greatest cities in the world.

Hint: Lower speed limits

 

Community Energy Association releases its 2010 Funding and Resource Guide

The Community Energy Association has just released a guide providing information on over 60 funding programs and resources that provide financial and educational support to Bc local governments and climate change initiatives.

 To access the guide click here.

 

2010 Energy & Climate Action Awards Competition

Reminder ... The August 20 application deadline for 2010 Energy and Climate Action Awards is fast approaching!

 

The Community Energy Association, in partnership with the Union of BC Municipalities, Province of British Columbia and BC Hydro, is pleased to invite all BC local governments to participate in the 2010 Energy & Climate Action Awards competition. The awards celebrate leadership shown by local governments taking action on climate change and sustainable energy and are offered annually to a municipality or regional district implementing a project or program that best integrates energy and climate action into community planning and development or corporate operations.

 

Past winners have come from all sizes of communities - leadership demonstrated to overcome challenges is an important judging criterion. Please download the electronic application from the Community Energy Association website at www.communityenergy.bc.ca. Applications must be submitted electronically to awards@communityenergy.bc.ca by 5pm Friday, August 20.

Winners will be announced at the end of the Cabinet Panel Session on Wednesday, September 29, 4:15 pm at the Union of BC Municipalities 2010 Convention in Whistler.

Whistler's BioBlitz Uncovers Several New Species

Whistler's annual BioBlitz invites local and non-local scientists to participate in a species treasure hunt. Scientists snap photos and collect samples of species found in the Whistler Resort area. This year's event resulted in a collection of over 700 plant and animal species and 100 of them are thought to be new. Read more here.

Portland's Pearl District Provides Affordable Housing to Local Residents

Gentrification of a neighbourhood usually results in displacement of low-income residents, but the revitalization of Portland's Pearl District avoided that outcome by building a substantial amount of affordable housing. The result is a vibrant, mixed income community. Read more here.

 

Decline in Phytoplankton Linked to Climate Change

Phytoplankton, the basis of the marine food chain, has been in decline for the past six decades with an overall reduction of 40% since 1950. The dramatic drop in phytoplankton levels has serious implications for the health of our oceans. Read article in Globe and Mail.