The Liberals are currently considering priorities for the new infrastructure funding they recently announced. Since buildings account for one-quarter of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions, this is a no-brainer for an infrastructure priority.
Provincial, territorial, and federal governments are working together with Indigenous peoples and the public to collaboratively shape Canada’s approach to climate change. Environment and Climate Change Canada recently invited the public to share ideas and solutions for climate change and green growth through their Let's Talk Climate Action campaign.
For many people, picturing what energy neutral living looks like can conjure images of converted shipping containers or tiny off-grid yurts. They may feel this is not the right choice for them, their families or their lifestyle. As it stands today the construction industry is one of the biggest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions. One organization based in Norway (called The Research Center on Zero Emission Buildings, or ZED), is trying to change the perception of what an eco-conscious home can really be.
What if a new technology has found a way to contribute power to the grid, makes use of already existing infrastructure, and has basically zero environmental impact; it would be a home run, wouldn't it? Lucid Energyhas developed a technology that can harness the downward flow of water in a city’s water pipes to generate energy that can either contribute to the management of the system itself, or be put back into the grid.
Nowadays, many people worldwide have a cell phone. Charging the batteries of over a billion cell phones is only one of many impacts on our energy use, but is significant none the less. Cell phone use has all but eliminated the need for phone booths, until Harold Craston and Kristy Kenny had a vision.
Tidal power is an exciting and innovative idea that has been making the rounds for quite some time. Now that the clean energy development wave (pun intended) is gaining ground, more initiatives like the Dent Island Tidal Power Generation development and demonstration project are able to successfully apply for funding.
Northern Affairs and its pull towards renewable energies including solar has become a focus in recent years. The communities of the northern Hudson Bay villages have implemented technologies including "solar walls" and solar panel distribution to heat and power many facilities to great success.
January 30st, 2013
Ontario Phases Out Coal-Fired Power
All the provinces coal-burning power plants will be shuttered by 2014, making the Canadian province the first coal-free jurisdiction in North America. Hopefully the rest of North America will follow the province's political leadership that paid a price for such progressive energy policy.