TalkGreenToUs.ca - Goal #2

A vision this bold cannot be realized alone. That's why the city is inviting you to talk green to them.

Share your ideas for making Vancouver the greenest city in the world. Help them make the critical choices. Help them prioritize between blue-sky visions and immediate opportunities. This is your city – make it better. Between now and October 7, add your voice to this life-changing conversation. Share your ideas or vote on the ones you like.

The City of Vancouver has ten greenest city goals. Learn about all ten, and tell them how you think they can best be achieved at www.talkgreentous.ca.

Imagine 2020. In just ten years, Vancouver will be the greenest city in the world.

GOAL #2: Climate Leadership

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 33% from 1990 levels

Vancouver's greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced to 1990 levels and we are on track to meet our 2012 target of 6 per cent below 1990 levels. Vancouver has the lowest per-capita carbon footprint of any major North American city.

This is due to electricity that is primarily from hydro resources, good land-use decisions that have limited the growth of transportation emissions, and the capture and utilization of methane from the Vancouver landfill to produce electricity.

CHALLENGES:

Half of Vancouver's greenhouse gas emissions come from burning natural gas to heat our homes, offices, shops, and industries. With some of the lowest energy prices in the world, reducing energy use and shifting to local green energy sources will require creative approaches and partnerships.

One third of emissions come from vehicle use. Expanding transit service to meet growing demand will be expensive and is outside of Vancouver's direct control. Enabling walking and cycling will require us to continue to develop more compact and complete communities and demands re-thinking in how we design and use our roads.

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Text "talktome" to 778.938.3424 to get updates and be entered for prizes