“The living city is not an island: its metabolism is interlinked to surrounding ecosystems and its people and culture networked to other viable urban cells to form a living and developing tissue, a net primary producer (of energy), not a parasitic system.” [Bridging to the Future in Squamish, 2007]
These parasitic conditions have been played out since the Industrial Revolution, when society transitioned from a renewable resource society to a coal-based economy that brought about unprecedented economic growth and social changes.
Some pundits say we’re entering a new green energy revolution, transitioning from the fossil fuel age to an economy that is once again based on renewable sources of energy. The last industrial revolution lasted 60-plus years. The difference this time around is the rapid pace of technology and the imperative of perhaps the greatest challenge of our time, climate change.
Like most local governments in B.C., Squamish made a commitment to reduce our greenhouse gases. This began in 2006/07 when we adopted a 12-step climate action pledge and commissioned the Bridging to the Future report that was intended as a first milestone on the pathway to energy sustainability for the District of Squamish. It was a forward-thinking document that set Squamish up as a leader at that time.
By September of 2007, the B.C. government announced the Climate Action Charter and challenged municipalities to address climate change. Squamish, along with 180 municipalities in the province, joined the commitment to become carbon-neutral in our operations by 2012. This includes committing to measuring and reporting on our community’s greenhouse gas emissions profile and to creating compact, more energy-efficient communities.
Since 2007 we have been steadily working toward this commitment. Our entire list of greenhouse gas-reducing projects is too extensive for this column, so here is a snapshot: biodiesel vehicles, three hybrid vehicles, one Smart car and two units powered Tier 4 emission level diesel engines (highest emission level available), anti-idling policy, LED streetlight pilot program, well and water pumps and wastewater lift stations electric motor upgrades, electric ice resurfacer, 20-plus kilometres of bike lanes and commuter trails, and increased transit service and ridership. And in 2015: curbside organics collection, water conservation strategy, green procurement policies, Neighbourhood Energy Utility bylaw and a comprehensive Official Community Plan review.
This week I am at the Renewable Cities Conference in Vancouver, where international leaders will share and collaborate on how cities can be protagonists in delivering on this important pledge.
And please join me for the sixth Breakfast with the Mayor, Friday, May 22 in the foyer of Brennan Park Recreation Centre at 8 a.m., as we collectively explore the idea of a Renewable Squamish in a green energy economy and all the opportunities and imperatives inherent.
