Municipalities are playing a lead role in combating climate change through transportation, waste management, building energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and renewable energy initiatives.
The City of North Vancouver is committed to participating in Earth Hour by turning off lights inside City Hall, the City Operations Centre, and the City Library during Earth Hour where lights out will not impact safety for staff or the public. Many of the lights in civic buildings are also automated and therefore turn off when no one is present.
The City is also converting to energy-efficient LED lights at all facilities with much of this conversion completed. To learn more about the City of North Vancouver's ongoing efforts in corporate and community-based initiatives for energy management and greenhouse gas emissions reduction visit our Living City page.
Other City Climate Action Initiatives
The City is tackling climate change with a variety of efforts, including:
- Improving the energy efficiency of buildings
- Creating improved transportation alternatives
- Pursuing renewable energy opportunities
- Working with Lonsdale Energy Corporation to expand the district energy system
- Looking for ways to reduce waste generated in our community.
These measures all help reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
The City is also committed to continual improvement in energy conservation through its building and fleet operations and in reducing the amount of solid waste sent for disposal.
Earth Hour is an opportunity for us to consider how we can be more energy-efficient through our everyday actions. Saving energy is about using less fossil fuels. When burned, fossil fuels emit greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. Greenhouse gases cause climate change.
Little changes everyday add up to big savings. If we all work together, we can make a significant difference. Here are some effective actions to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions:
- Set your water heater to 49 degrees Celsius
- Wash your clothes in cold water
- Hang your clothes to dry
- Close your drapes and blinds at night to help keep heat inside
- Use your microwave and slow cooker more often; both are much more efficient than a stove-top or oven
- Unplug your cell phone charger when not in use
Let's work together and make every hour Earth Hour!