BY: JESSICA BEUKER
In a time of climate crisis, any step is a foot forward. Understanding that cities and urban areas are responsible for 70-75 per cent of global C02 emissions, Vancouver has decided to join the face of change.
The Canadian city of 600,000 has committed to the long-term goal of deriving 100 percent of its energy from renewable resources. According to the Mayor of Vancouver, the city is the first in North America to establish such a comprehensive goal. “Cities around the world must show continued leadership to meet the urgent challenge of climate change, and the most impactful change we can make is a shift toward 100 per cent of our energy being derived from renewable sources,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson. He added that the move is another way Vancouver aims to become the greenest city in the world.
“Cities around the world must show continued leadership to meet the urgent challenge of climate change, and the most impactful change we can make is a shift toward 100 per cent of our energy being derived from renewable sources,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson.
Recently, Costa Rica set a major example for developed societies around the world running on exclusively renewable energy for 75 days.
The motion put forward aims to use only green energy sources for electricity, heating and cooling, and transportation. According to The Guardian, the heating and cooling goal will likely be completed by 2030 or 2035, while transportation will follow in 2040 or 2050. Renewable electricity can be achieved in a few years, especially since 90 per cent of their electricity is already being produced using hydropower.
The move to become a green city is also intended to send a signal to world leaders. Vancouver’s deputy mayor, Andrea Reimer told The Guardian: “Canada has had one of the most environmentally irresponsible national governments for the last 10 years.”
According to Go 100% Renewable Energy, Over 52.8 million people are committed to shifting to 100% renewable energy.
According to Go 100% Renewable Energy, eight countries, 55 cities, 58 regions, nine utilities, 21 non-profit/educational/public institutions, totaling more than 52.8 million people and counting have shifted or are committed to shifting within the next few decades to 100 per cent renewable energy in at least one sector.
Vancouver currently sits at 32 per cent renewables. While they still have a long way to go, we are beginning to see that the shift to 100 per cent renewable energy is possible, and furthermore can have a big effect on our planet’s environment.
The city joins 50 others who have committed to forward-thinking mandates of 100% renewable energy.
While they still have a long way to go, Vancouver aims to become the greenest city in the world.
Sources: followgreenliving.com, kiwanis.org, inhabitat.com, warwick.ac.uk
