reimagining saskatoon: towards sustainability 2015

Reimagining Saskatoon

Towards Sustainability 2015

“overcoming our carbon dependence should be seen as an opportunity to rethink for the better an institution largely shaped by and for fossil fuel: our cities”

http://thrivingcities.com/blog/confronting-climate-change-rethinking-city

Here are a few of the initiatives undertaken by Saskatoon residents and organizations in 2015 to help make Saskatoon a more sustainable city.

Energy

Saskatchewan Environmental Society Solar Power Cooperative is launched

http://www.ecofriendlysask.ca/2015/04/ses-solar-co-operative.html

First Nations Power Authority of Saskatchewan (FNPA) established to assist First Nations communities to identify and address their energy needs and help validate projects before they are sent to SaskPower for consideration

http://www.ecofriendlysask.ca/2015/10/first-nations-power-authority-of.html

With 71 buildings. Saskatoon Health Region is always on the lookout for ways to reduce utility costs and save energy.

http://www.ecofriendlysask.ca/2015/12/energy-savings-in-saskatoon-health.html

An energy performance contract installed electronic occupancy controls, energy-efficient lighting, insulation, and replacement steam traps.

Construction

Saskatoon’s First Passive House

http://www.ecofriendlysask.ca/2015/12/temperance-street-passive-house.html

More builders, such as Vereco Homes, are designing energy-efficient houses.

http://www.ecofriendlysask.ca/2015/10/vereco-homes-affordable-and-energy.html

Green RoofsThe Garden PatchSaskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre

Julie & Joshhttp://www.ecofriendlysask.ca/2015/06/saskatoons-first-residential-green-roof.html

Transportation

http://www.ecofriendlysask.ca/2015/03/saskatoon-carshare-co-operative.html

Saskatoon CareShare Co-operative launches a crowdfunding campaign to expand their fleet and become Canada’s first solar-powered carshare

Encouraging alternate forms of transportation:100 free bus passes for teachers attending the Saskatoon Teachers’ Association Convention

Using real-time data collected over the past few months, the City of Saskatoon is launching new garbage and recycling collection routes that have been optimized to make trips as short and direct as possible, reducing fuel consumption and reducing the City’s carbon footprint.

https://www.saskatoon.ca/news-releases/new-2016-collection-days-garbage-and-recycling-carts

Food

The Saskatoon Seed Lending Library provides free and easy access to viable, native, open-pollinated seeds.

Two Green Wheels, a bicycle-operated compost pick up service based out of Saskatoon.

27 University of Saskatchewan food vendors receive Green Spaces certification (e.g. sending kitchen scraps to the organics bin, eliminating polystyrene takeout containers, providing discounts to customers who bring reusable containers or mugs).

The University’s goal is to divert 1,500 tonnes of organics annually.

Nature

The Northeast Swale: Wild, Wonderful, One of a Kind

“Sit down at the keyboard, pick up a pen or a phone, and let your City Councillor and your MLA know that the protection of the Northeast Swale is a priority for you!”

http://www.ecofriendlysask.ca/2015/11/the-northeast-swale-saskatoons.html

SOS Elms Coalition

“The slow and necessary steps of eliminating our dependence on fossil fuels will certainly be difficult, yet we should see it as an occasion to remake our places that are humane, convivial, and sustainable.”

http://thrivingcities.com/blog/confronting-climate-change-rethinking-city

EcoFriendly Sask informs, encourages, and supports Saskatchewan environmental initiatives:

Online publication Small grants to support local

environmental initiatives

http://www.facebook.com/ecofriendlysk

http://twitter.com/EcoFriendlySask

http://www.pinterest.com/ecofriendlysask/