An entertaining, though scary overview of problems south http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1821648-3,00.html

Changes will include:

-minimum insulation requirements to improve building-envelope performance of dwellings

-mandatory insulation under basement floors to reduce the amount of heat lost to the ground

-building homes so that 40 percent of their lighting fixtures will not accept incandescent or halogen bulbs

-requiring insulation around electric-powered hot-water tanks

-requiring insulation around a portion of the piping leading to and from the tank on both electric- and gas-powered system

-requiring that all natural-gas fireplaces be direct-vented, and use electronic ignition instead of pilot lights. (Apparently Terasen Gas statistics indicate that pilot lights in fireplaces cost homeowners an average of $120 a year in natural-gas consumption)

-mandatory installation of dual-flush toilets that allow homeowners to choose between flushing a large or small volume of wate

-new homes will also have to include a heat-recovery ventilator. The City's report on this program states that an HRV "continuously exchanges stale indoor air with fresh air while transferring the heat contained in the outgoing exhaust to the incoming ventilation"

-features that allow for the future installation of solar panels and electric-vehicle charging systems will be mandatory (although in Vancouver I am not sure-not knowing enough about the technology-how well solar will work)

-for those who love this kind of gadget (and even for those who don't) mandatory installation of In-home energy-display meters. The meters will allow home owners to see their impact on resource use.  Hopefully this will work like the home bathroom scale what we can measure and see gets improved!

The City  is planning energy audits on all new dwellings to collect information on the performance of the Green Homes Program. The City predicts that the costs will be two percent or less of the total construction costs; however the City also believes that this will only increase the listing price of a new home by one percent. Weird math to me but even if it does increase the price by 2 percent, its probably worth it if the environmental benefits are there!  Apparently once these requirements are imposed, Vancouver will lead the country in having the highest energy efficience standards in the country!  Seems like a pretty good start......

1977 - June 08 Average Price Graph

Our booth is just behind the food area-pls come by! Learn more about Green real estate and green realtors in Vancouver!

Here is the email of what's happening today that I received from the EPIC people:

EPIC The Vancouver Sun Sustainable Living Expo Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre April 18-20, 2008 Website: www.epicexpo.com Created by: What's happening today at EPIC HOURS10AM-5PM Avoid lineups and Save $ - Buy tickets online now! Come to EPIC at Canada Place and see over 200 exhibits featuring cutting-edge, stylish products and services that leave a softer footprint on the earth. Shop and Think!

Here are today's highlights: HEY SUN RUNNERS! Bring your Sun Run number and enjoy 2-for-1 admission Daily at EPIC -

Toyota and Lexus Hybrid Ride & Drive Looking for the right hybrid to fit your lifestyle? Test drive the latest model hybrids from Toyota and Lexus at EPIC 2008. These Ride n' Drives will be held right outside Canada Place and are available all weekend long during EPIC.

10:00am Design Panel: Putting the Eco in Easy Chair Main Stage Representatives from the furniture design sector will discuss sustainability, marketability, and what it takes to move eco-friendly furniture to the mainstream.

11:00am Linda Hunter, Author of Clean and Green Live Green, Clean Green Main Stage Linda has published more than 10 books on toxin-free cleaning and has been featured in the New York Times, ABC and CNN. Linda will share her in-depth knowledge in 'green cleaning 101'.

11:00am Coffee Klatch: Your Morning Coffee Panel Kitchen Theatre Join representatives from a number of locally-based coffee companies for this lively discussion about the global coffee industry.

12:00pm Matt Hill and Stephanie Tait The Upcoming Adventure: Run For One Planet Main Stage Hear Matt Hill and Stephanie Tait's motivational story as they prepare to run 11,000 miles across North America (that's a marathon every day for a year!) to inspire environmental action. Their run begins May 4, 2008. Go Matt and Stephanie!

12:00pm James Walt, Araxi Kitchen Theatre

1:00pm Simon Jackson, Founder of Spirit Bear Youth Coalition The Power of One Main Stage Founder of the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition and one of Time Magazine's '60 Heroes for the Planet', Simon's campaigning has helped protect two-thirds of the bear's last intact habitat.

1:00pm Vikram Vij & Meeru Dhalwala, Vij's/Rangoli Kitchen Theatre

2:00pm Fashion Show Main Stage Hosted by Naomi Steinberg

2:00pm Quang Dang, C Restaurant Kitchen Theatre

3:00PM DESIGN PANEL: PUTTING THE ECO IN EASY CHAIR Get three unique perspectives from the furniture design sector: a manufacturer, a designer and a retailer join forces at EPIC to give us the goods on sustainability, marketability, and what it takes to move eco-friendly furniture to the mainstream. Featuring Jonathan Baker of GAIA Home, Carmen Spagnola of m, and Ross MacMillan of Industrial Artifacts. Rebecca Ephraim of SharedVISION will guide this lively, interactive discussion.

3:00pm Andrea Potter, radha yoga & eatery Kitchen Theatre

4:00pm David Robertson, Chambar Kitchen Theatre

4:30pm Grand Prize draw for winner of the Saturn Aura Hybrid Main Stage

 EPIC is Ethical. Progressive. Intelligent. Consumer

We (Macdonald Realty) have a booth to promote our green real estate program and I will be talking to people about my being the first Ecobroker in BC!  EPIC is at the Trade and Convention Centre in Vancouver and it has a lot which will be of interest to those keen on living green-real estate, home renos, or just general green issues.  I will be at our booth tomorrow (Sunday) so pls come by and say hi and grab a kiss (we are handing out Hershey kisses-not sure how green they are but they are good! ) I visited the booths at the fair yesterday and they were pretty interesting! Below is the contents of the email I got today from the people at EPIC. Hope to see you there! 

SPONSORS EPIC The Vancouver Sun Sustainable Living Expo Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre April 18-20, 2008 Website: www.epicexpo.com

What's happening today at EPIC HOURS10AM-9PM Avoid lineups and Save $ - Buy tickets online now! Come to EPIC at Canada Place and see over 200 exhibits featuring cutting-edge, stylish products and services that leave a softer footprint on the earth. Shop and Think!

Here are today's highlights: Daily at EPIC - Toyota Ride n' Drive Looking for the right hybrid to fit your lifestyle? Test drive the latest model hybrids from Toyota and Lexus at EPIC 2008.

10:00am Coffee Klatch: Your Morning Coffee Panel Kitchen Theatre Join representatives from a number of locally-based coffee companies for this lively discussion about the global coffee industry.

11:00am Bryon Stremler, Toyota Canada Working Together for the Common Goal: Combating Climate Change Main Stage Hear from Toyota on what is required by the auto industry, governments and consumers alike to positively impact climate change for the collective good.

11:00am Nick Allan, Zin Kitchen Theatre

12:00pm Bruce Poon Tip, CEO, G.A.P Adventures Off the Beaten Track: Sustainable Adventure Travel Main Stage Bruce Poon Tip is an award-winning entrepreneur and CEO of G.A.P Adventures, specializing in adventure travel for authentic, small group experiences.

12:00pm Jeff Van Geest, Aurora Bistro Kitchen Theatre

1:00pm Mike Holmes, Canada's Most Trusted Contractor and Host of HGTV's Holmes on Homes Renovating your home - how green can you go? Main Stage Who better to offer advice on greening construction and renovations than Canada's most trusted contractor? Mike Holmes of HGTV's Holmes on Homes will give the lowdown on how to keep your building and reno projects as energy-efficient and eco-friendly as possible. Mike Holmes Books Signing Main Stage Mike will be available for book signing after his

1:00pm presentation. 1:00pm John Bishop, Bishop's Kitchen Theatre

2:00pm Jonathan Chovanchek, Culinary Capers Kitchen Theatre

3:00pm Adria Vasil, best-selling author of Ecoholic Main Stage Celebrated author of the smash success book ECOHOLIC - Your Guide to the Most Environmentally Friendly Information, Products and Services in Canada will offer practical tips to help you do your part for the earth. 3:00pm Peter Robertson, Raincity Grill Kitchen Theatre

4:00pm Fashion Show Main Stage Hosted by Naomi Steinberg

4:00pm Mary MacKay, Terra Breads Kitchen Theatre 5:00pm Gregor Robertson, Co-Founder of Happy Planet Juice and Vancouver-Fairview MLA Main Stage Co-founder of the award-winning Happy Planet Juice company and MLA for Vancouver-Fairview since 2005, Gregor speaks regularly on the challenges of climate change.

5:00pm Ralf Wollmann, Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company Kitchen Theatre

6:00pm Collin Dunn, TreeHugger.com and Planet Green Going, Going, Green: Making Your Lifestyle Count Main Stage Collin writes for the TreeHugger and Planet Green about ideas and products that can help us all be a little greener and live a little better without sacrificing looks, design or style.

7:00pm Fashion Show Main Stage Hosted by Candice Curlypaws

7:00pm Green Kitchen 101 with André LaRivière Kitchen Theatre Put more sustainability in your own cuisine. Get practical tips and ideas used by Green Table Network members in Vancouver's top restaurants.

8:00pm Dr. James Tansey, Co-founder, Offsetters Climate Neutral Society Carbon Offsets: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Main Stage What the heck are carbon offsets and how will offsetting CO2 reduce the threat of climate change? James Tansey is an expert in carbon offsets, and is here to enlighten us. EPIC is Ethical. Progressive. Intelligent.

A recent article talks about a new program which provides green rewards earn points for customers

Noticing the growing demand in the US for eco-friendly incentive programs Maritz Motivation, a leading provider of sales incentives and rewards, has partnered with OurEnergy, a global climate change solution provider, to give clients the option of redeeming their rewards points for carbon credits.  Clients participating in the rewards program can redeem their points for certified carbon reductions, which count towards Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects as defined by the Kyoto Protocol.

Kurt Hosna, director of global rewards at Maritz, has found that as people continue to become increasingly green conscious the company is receiving an increasing number of requests for green rewards.  "Recognizing this demand as a growing trend, Maritz now offers several green options in its rewards offerings and incorporates these green rewards into custom client programs. "The response by the participants has been overwhelmingly favourable," said Hosna.

Maritz clients can choose from green rewards including energy saving devices, like Solar Chargers, that reduce the amount of energy needed to charge common household items like iPods and cell phones.  Other rewards include energy efficient products like the Black & Decker Cordless Rechargeable Mulching Mower that runs without using gas or oil.   Every day a new idea! Green is finally catching on!

(All cited quotes & figures are from the SunHerald.com, March 28)

Countrywide Offers Discounted Rates For "Green" Home Buyers

A division of Countrywide Financial Corp.'s (CFC) Countrywide Bank unit announced Wednesday the launch of its Green Incentive Program that gives an interest rate reduction of 0.125% on a loan used to purchase a new home that is built to meet energy efficiency standards.

The Casabasas, Calif., mortgage banking company said the program at Countrywide Home Loans will be available initially in 13 states: Alaska, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Countrywide said the program applies to newly constructed homes that meet third-party, certified standards of recognized green building programs.

Let's start with the good news: 77 per cent of Canadians believe that global warming is real and worry about its impact on their lives.  Now the bad news: Our behaviours don't match this new green consciousness.

A Strategic Council poll found that fewer than 4 in ten Canadians compost their food waste and almost two-thirds reported making no effort to green their daily commute by walking, riding or taking the bus.  Surprisingly, despite soaring gas prices and environmental concern, SUV sales reached a record high last year.

If high prices and pollution aren't reason enough to turn talk into action, what is?  The SUV and walking issues are symptomatic of a larger issue when it comes to changing consumer behaviour.  Experts have found that Canadians deal better with making small changes in their homes, like recycling and using energy efficient lights, while large changes perceived to be more expensive or inconvenient don't get made.

It sounds to me that if were we are ever going to overcome this disconnect between environmental consciousness and behaviour we are all going to have to start putting the environment in front of our personal convince.  I would also like to add that giving up your car to bike to work on a sunny day is not an inconvenience - just try it!  Some of my best days were when I used to live in Deep Cove and ride to work in Richmond....unfortunately selling real estate doesn't allow me that luxury very often but whenever I can, I love the feeling of riding my bike to get somewhere-a ride with a purpose!

(All cited quotes & figures are from The Globe & Mail)

Eco-minded and unattached !!

The personal kingdom is the fastest growing type of household in Canada, rising from 2 per cent to more than 14 per cent in the past 50 years.  While there is nothing wrong with enjoying your own company and flying solo, single households now represent the largest consumption of energy, land and household goods.  

From washers and dryers to plastic packaging used for take out and single serving foods, singletons burn through over twice as much energy per-capita as four-person households.   Joanna Williams, sustainable development professor at the University College of London, said the rise of singles represents, "an environmental time bomb".

 Not to worry-there are options for singles who don't have any plans to pair-up but still want to reduce their carbon footprint.  Penny Gurstein, of the school of community and regional planning at UBC, recommends singles check out the Canadian Co-housing Network in which residents live in individual homes clustered around a common area so they can share amenities.  Gurstein also recommends the Vancouver Community Kitchen Project which she said, "is a way for people to get together and cook in large quantities and then parcel it out".

The main idea is that singles can consume less if they pair up with other singles to share some common resources.  However it isn't all over consumption for singles who often live close to work and chose to walk or take public transport - go singles!

For more information on the Canadian Co-housing Network and the Vancouver Community Kitchen Project check out: www.cohousing.ca & www.communitykitchens.ca

(All cited quotes & figures are from The Globe & Mail)

Are you ready to help cool the planet and save money at the same time?

Did you know that each Canadian, you and me included, generates on average five tonnes of greenhouse gases a year?  That makes each of us partially responsible for climate change and the shrinking ice caps, floods and hurricanes that are coming with it.

The good news is that we can redeem ourselves without having to make drastic changes to our lifestyles.  Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has released some energy saving ideas that we can all use to reduce carbon emissions and save money. 

When buying appliances think green and choose the most energy efficient models, which can save up to 400 kg of CO2 per year.  Also try wrapping your hot water heater in a thermal blanket so you can turn down the heater and save money on hot water bills. There are lots of tips around (David Suzuki has recently been doing a broader "Small Steps" series in the Vancouver Sun for example)-we are trying to compile a lot of this information at www.livegreennow.ca and welcome any input/ideas

There are multiple benefits to making energy saving home improvements like reducing your energy bills and green house gas emissions!  Anyone need more reasons?

(All cited quotes & figures are from The Vancouver Sun)

Some major banks and credit unions are starting to offer what they are calling "green mortgages" and "green loans" for energy efficient house purchases and improvements.  It is hoped that the green mortgages and loans will make Canada's housing supply more energy efficient reducing some of the 40 per cent of green house gasses emitted by buildings.

"Personally I think it's about time the banks got involved in enviro-friendly products because everyone else is" said Kosta Hatzidimitriou who got a green mortgage from the Citizens Bank of Canada.  Hatzidimitriou received a $10, 000 dollar line of credit at prime for energy efficient upgrades on his new three bedroom home.   He also received a blue recycling bin filled with $875 dollars worth of information and coupons including a free energy audit, worth $375, to determine what improvements should be made.

Even some of the bigger banks like TD Canada Trust are starting to consider offering green options.  Kelly Hechler, spokeswoman for TD Canada Trust, said, "We know there is interest out there.  We've seen it in poles we've done of homeowners who say it's becoming an important issue to them".  Hatzidimitriou says that his green mortgage has made him rethink his how he will spend money on his house.   He plans to spend less on aesthetics like ceramic floors and granite counters in order to put more money into energy efficient changes.

(All cited quotes & figures are from The Vancouver Sun, Sept 4)

BC's insurance industry and homeowner protection office has stopped covering green roofs.  The insurance industry's refusal to cover green roofs has caused confusion and outrage in the green-roof industry and delayed dozens of developments including the Olympic Village, which was originally required to be build with a green roof.

Many people are speculating that BC's insurance industry is still wary of anything involving water in proximity to building walls after the leaky condo crisis, which hurt consumers, developers and insurers.  However Steven Peck, president of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities says "millions of square feet of green roofs have been installed in countries like Germany, while green roofs are booming in North America, with no signs of problems beyond what any roof might have".

Green roofs use various layers of membrane, drainage and growing material to create lush garden spaces on building roofs.  The various layers allow rooftop vegetation to grow without penetrating the roof itself.  Roger Bayley of Merrick Architecture, the firm developing the Olympic village, thinks that the insurance industry's sudden hesitation may be caused by the proliferation of new companies offering different systems.  He hopes that insurers understand that the new companies are due to increasing demand not changing technology, because without insurance there is not much anyone can do.

(All cited quotes & figures are from The Vancouver Sun, April 14)

Mike Holmes is a huge fan of in-floor heating and believes you will be too.  In-floor heating is the most energy efficient way to heat your home because it heats the floor, instead of the ceiling like convention systems.  In-floor heating can also be zoned allowing you to have different thermostats for separate areas in your house to deliver heat only to the areas where it is needed - saving both energy and money.

The problem with convection, or blown air, heaters is that they keep the ceilings warmer than the floors because the heated air blowing up through the vents is forced up by the cold air below.  The other problem with convection systems is that while it is blowing hot air throughout your house it is also blowing around dust and allergens.

There are two different types of in-floor heating systems available and both are easy to install.  Hydronic systems pump hot water through tubes laid under or within the floor.  Electric systems, which are great for a bathroom or kitchen with tile flooring, use wires laid on top of the sub-floor and embedded in a thin layer of cement.

(All cited quotes & figures are from The Globe & Mail, Mar 16)

A new report published by the Balcksmith Institute has found that the 10 million people, living in the world's 10 most polluted cities, have shortened life expectancies.  The report shows that residents of highly polluted cities are at high risk for developing lung infections and cancer.

"Living in a town with serious pollution is like living under a death sentence", the report said.  "If the damage does not come from immediate poisoning, then cancers, lung infections and mental retardation are likely outcomes".  The report also found that the 10 cities, which are mostly located in the developing world, have few or inadequate pollution controls and the citizens are powerless to pressure their governments to deal with the problems.  

Luckily for us in Canada we have the power to make our local and federal government officials reduce pollution to make sure our cities never make this list and our future generations never have to deal with the poor health problems associated with pollution.  Equally important we can share our pollution reducing technologies and strategies with theses countries because at the end of the day we are all sharing the same eco-system.

The worlds 10 most polluted cities:

Dzherzhinsk, Russia

Norislk, Russia

Rudnaya Pristan, Russia

Linfen, China

Haina, Dominican Republic

Ranipet, India

Mayluu-Suu, Kyrgyzstan

La Oroya, Peru

Chernobyl, Ukraine

Kabwe, Zambia

(All cited quotes & figures are from The Vancouver Sun, Oct 19)

Many single women are not waiting to find the perfect partner and get married before purchasing and decorating their dream home.  The traditional order of first comes love then comes marriage has given way to first comes a home - then maybe Mr. Right.

Trend and style watcher Sara Costello, creative director of Domino magazine, has noticed that single homeowners are becoming a growing part of the interior design market.  Single women using interior designers include busy professionals who have the money but not the time to create a beautiful home, as well as divorcees and widows.

37 year old health care professional Danette Guay hired a professional designer to help her decorate the new home she purchased.  Guay and her designer, Sharon McCormick, approached the project focusing on comfort and resale value.  Guay mainly used McCoemick as a sounding board for her own ideas and purchases and found that using a designer added very little to the cost of her home as most of the features they picked out like paint, flooring, tiles and cabinets had to be purchased anyway.

With environmental issues at the top of Canadian's awareness and a priority for mainstream political parties activists are hoping 2008 will be the year that talk turns to action.  One of The Vancouver Sun's emerging environmental leaders, Bill Wareham, worked environmental research jobs for resource industries and has seen how the government and corporations file away reports without changing their practices.  Wareham now works for the David Suzuki foundation after discovering that, "industry and government are trying wear environmentalists down so they move on to other things and they can continue to do what they want".

 Environmental veteran Mark Angelo, recognized with a United Nations Stewardship Award and an Order of Canada, knows that "The interest we're seeing now in climate change didn't happen over night" and that younger people who care about the environment need to be prepared to fight long-term battles.  Another veteran on the Sun's list, Joe Foy, advises the next generation of environmentalists to dream big, warning that "People call you a radical - say you're asking for to much - but often you're not going for big enough change".  It is interesting but that approach seems to happen with all environmental issues.....the people that first raise them are attacked and then eventually the issue becomes mainstream-so I guess we should all be thanking the so called "radicals"!

(All cited quotes & figures are from Crusaders For A Greener Planet Standing United - The Vancouver Sun, Feb 17)

Live Earth organizers used the software to produce images, displayed via the web, that compared the sustainability performance of all eight venues.  The results: London produced the most carbon dioxide emissions from electricity, while Shanghai had the lowest total carbon usage.  

Visible Strategies is also marketing its program to governments and corporations.  Boyd Cohen, co-founder and vice president, says "There's a big push for cities and organizations to reduce their environmental impact and be transparent about what they're trying to do".   Governments and corporations using Visible Strategies program can prove to shareholders and the public that they are making good on their environmental promises.

It will be interesting to see which corporations and governments chose to become environmentally transparent, especially among those that publicly promote their "green" practices.

(All cited quotes & figures are from The Vancouver Sun, Oct 26 Greening The Corporation - Vancouver Sun, Oct 26)