Category: Resources: Environmental Issues

Title:Resilient Edmonton: why and how?
Author(s):Applegath, Craig|split|Yazer, Jonathan
Subject:Environmental issues – general|split|Environmental issues – climate change|split|Urban issues – general|split|Urban issues – planning, policy
Place of Publication:Edmonton
Date of Publication:2010
Abstract:

This paper introduces the concept of resilience as it applies to cities in general and the City of Edmonton in particular. The first section defines resilience and explains its value as a method of understanding and strengthening social-ecological systems. It also outlines the basic themes and principles of resilience in urban design and planning. The second section assesses Edmonton’s capacity for resilience by performing a T.W.O.S. (Threats, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Strengths) analysis on its critical systems. This section presents a list of eight key opportunities for building Edmonton’s capacity for resilience. It also describes how the city could realize some of these opportunities by continuing to develop its LRT network and by developing a network of Resilience Centres, which integrate opportunities for capacity-building in three critical systems – water, energy, and food – into single, integrated centres. In the final section, we suggest what tools the city might use to prioritize opportunities for capacity-building and provide a set of urban planning principles to assist the City of Edmonton in meeting the twin challenges of climate change and peak oil.

Language:English
 Material Type:Report

M. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES/2010 resilient_edmonton.pdf

Title:Greener energy opportunities and priorities for the City of Edmonton
Author(s):Weis, Tim|split|Anderson, Krisi
Subject:Environmental issues – general|split|Environmental issues – resource conservation
Publisher:The Pembina Institute
Place of Publication:Edmonton
Date of Publication:2010
Abstract:

This paper discusses some of the multitude of technologies that are capable of making incremental improvements to the way that energy is supplied to the city of Edmonton and Edmontonians. This paper is not meant to be a holistic analysis of integrated community planning or even key energy efficiency options, although both are essential components of eventually achieving a sustainable energy system. The technologies discussed here are limited to energy supply technologies that are practical and immediately accessible at a municipal level. We discuss municipal opportunities for cogeneration, solar photovoltaics, solar hot water, solar hot air and passive solar, along with ground source heat pumps, biofuels, and biomass energy. Jurisdictions that have made the most progress in reducing fossil-fuel dependence have all done so as a result of a supportive policy environment that actively fosters the transition to sustainable, low-impact options. This paper provides a brief overview of some of those policy options to encourage the deployment of the aforementioned technologies at a municipal level and includes an appendix highlighting what a few other municipalities are doing to take steps forward. The options and strategies reviewed include goal setting, education, development permits, zoning requirements, procurement, community ownership, local improvement charges, tax credits, rebates, incentives and financing.

Language:English
Series:The Edmonton Sustainability Papers – Discussion Paper 14
 Material Type:Report

M. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES/2010 greener_energy_edmonton.pdf

Title:Climate justice, green jobs and sustainable production in BC
Author(s):Lee, Marc|split|Carlaw, Kenneth I.
Subject:Labour force – general|split|Employment – general|split|Environmental issues – resource conservation
Publisher:Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Place of Publication:Vancouver
Date of Publication:2010
Abstract:

To fight against catastrophic climate change, BC needs to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to near zero by mid-century at the latest. This amounts to a new, green industrial revolution that will have transformative impacts on work in the province. In addition, the need to adapt to inevitable climate change impacts will also have employment implications. With this report, we hope to contribute to a growing conversation about industrial and employment strategies the BC government can use to transition to a sustainable economy and create a new generation of well-paying green jobs. Past industrial revolutions have caused great upheaval and hardship, with some sectors of society bearing a terrible burden. If this green industrial revolution is to occur in a just manner, we need to help workers make the transition to new employment, and provide economically marginalized people with new opportunities to secure decent work and economic security. Creating green jobs allows us not only to confront climate change, but also to achieve climate justice.

Language:English
Material Type:Report

M. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES/2010 CCPA_bc_climatejustice_green_jobs.pdf

Title:All flesh is grass: toward a re-engagement with the prairie.
Author(s):Herriot, Trevor
Subject:Environmental issues – resource conservation|split|Environmental issues – general
Publisher:Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Saskatchewan Office
Place of Publication:Regina
Date of Publication:2010
Abstract:

On October 15th and 16th, prairie naturalist and award-winning author Trevor Herriot spoke on behalf of the Saskatchewan office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Trevor’s presentation, “All Flesh is Grass,” provides us with both an urgent plea to reverse the ecological destruction of our natural prairie and a way forward to a more sustainable and ecologically sound agricultural practice in our province.

Language:English
Material Type:Presentation

M. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES/2010 flesh_is_grass.pdf