The City of Kelowna in it's adoption of sustainable transportation practices, ranks in the Top 10 cities in Canada.

In the second annual Smart Transportation Ranking Report, put together by the UBC Sauder School of Business and Appleton Charitable Foundation, Kelowna placed 10th (out of 27 cities). It moved up 4 spots from last year.

The report looks at 17 indicators in four categories - air quality, public policy, transport policy and technology adoption. Kelowna has a green municipal fleet which includes 4 hybrid vehciles and 18 smart cars. It's one of 4 cities to have all it's transit buses running on alternative fuels.

Projects for sustainable transportation in 2009 include the expansion of Rapid Bus BC, a transit exchange in Rutland, the extension of Rails with Trails and 2 off-road cycling projects along the proposed Glenmore Bypass and Gordon Drive extension.

 

Lindsay Eason and Angela Reid, Kelowna’s newest City Councilor, have teamed up to create a new exciting business in the Central Okanagan. GreenStep Sustainability Coaching is a subsidiary of Tigress Ventures Inc and a partnership with Global Affinity. GreenStep can help small to medium sized businesses navigate the path towards sustainability by strategically integrating sustainability principles and new opportunities into their business model.

These creative young women saw a great need to guide local companies towards sustainability because businesses all over the world are now looking for ways to become greener and more efficient. And the results show that most are benefiting in many ways; such as saving money by reducing operating costs, creating new revenue opportunities, higher employee retention and strengthened reputation, not to mention decreasing their environmental impact.

GreenStep uses a science-based approach developed by the Natural Step as well as many other tools and resources to help businesses integrate sustainability. Please visit their website for more information www.green-step.ca.

The JP Broadcast Group (Jim Pattison) with the help of the David Suzuki Foundation is launching its first-ever green programming initiative across all 28 of it's radio stations throughout British Columbia and Alberta.

The Suzuki Report, a key element of the green radio initiative will be heard in Kelowna on B-103 FM and Power 104.

Starting this fall, British Columbians and Albertans will be more aware of environmental issues by listening to the Report from Monday to Friday.

The radio stations will air long and short form structured programs with announcer dialogue and community service initiatives. The green programming will make listeners aware of recycling drives, environmental fundraisers and green events that will receive exposure on the respective station websites as well.

 

The Okanagan Chapter of the British Columbia Sustainable Energy Association (BCSEA), CASCADIA Green Building Council, Okanagan Greens Society and Okanagan Environmental Industry Alliance (OEIA) is putting on an Event called "How Green is your Vote?"

When: Saturday October 25th 2008, 2 - 4 PM
Where: Okanagan College, Room S104 (The Lecture Theatre)

If you are concerned about the future and the rate of development in the City of Kelowna, come to the event to hear from Kelowna City Mayoral and Council candidates about the following topics:

• sustainable development
• transportation
• food supply issues

Ken Salvail of Ken's Horticultural Services, who co-hosts the Saturday morning AM 1150 Garden Show has planned a seminar on sustainable landscaping on Saturday October 18th in Lake Country.

Ken will show attendees how to choose drought tolerant plants which are suitable for the Okanagan and how to conserve water and be efficient when you do water them. Ken advises to avoid overhead sprinkers and use drip and soaker hoses to minimize evaporation of the water. Plants can want frequent waterings but you should water heavily when you do, and less often. Even pruning which can pollute the environment (when using energy) can be avoided if plants are planted in the right places.

According to Ken, homeowners and developers need to choose the right landscaping for their current location.

The City of Kelowna has called upon Salvail for his advice on water conservation and residential landscaping while reviewing its water use policies.

To register for the 3 hour seminar, call 1-250-766-3733.

Source: Article by Judie Steeves titled "Learn about sustainable landscaping"

Wal-Mart has 3 long term global sustainability goals:

• to produce zero waste
• to operate with 100 per cent renewable energy
• to make environmentally preferable products available

In Canada, to achieve these goals, their new outlets opening in 2009 will be designed to save 30% in energy use. These new stores would be called Wal-Mart HE (high-efficiency). And over 5 years, the HE stores would save Wal-Mart $25 million.

Wal-Mart HE stores would achieve these energy savings by:

• using waste energy from refrigerators to help heat stores
• cutting lighting costs
• covering roofs with white membranes to reflect sunlight and lower summer cooling costs
• reducing the size of the buildings

Wal-Mart also has their sustainability initiatives, partnerships and products showcased at their "For the Greener Good" website. Their products page outlines new eco-friendly products broken down by various categories.

Source: Article from Report on Business titled "Wal-Mart Canada stores aim for energy efficiency"