For many of us, October signals the shift into cooler weather, prompting us to consider turning the heat back on after the warm summer months. This annual ritual reminds us to reflect on our environmental impact and consider our heating costs and household efficiency. So, how can we educate ourselves, and what can we do to improve our impact?
BCSEA is quickly approaching its first full year as the new home of Switch It Up BC. The program brings awareness to the environmental and health impacts of residential natural gas and provides alternatives. The Zero Emission Home section of the site demystifies home electrification by showcasing solutions for home heating, water heating and cooking. There are many opportunities to make small and large interventions towards a cleaner, healthier home – get started and take the Switch It Up pledge.
Understanding what’s happening in your community is another essential piece of the sustainability puzzle. On October 15, British Columbia held General Local Elections. In many jurisdictions, there were changes in leadership. Several candidates across the province presented platforms centred on cleaner, greener climate solutions. In many jurisdictions, like those of our regional chapters – Victoria, Vancouver, and the Regional District of the Central Okanagan – regular climate reviews and GHG accounting reports are published. Looking at these reports and keeping up to date on local news can be a great way to ensure the newly elected candidates are taking climate and energy policy seriously.
In addition to the resources that local governments publish, the BCSEA Policy Corner is an excellent resource for keeping up to date on the decisions made by the BC Utilities Commission. The interventions our team participates in often have long-term implications for local communities and the province.
If you’re interested in learning more about our work at BCSEA, become a member today. And join us for our 2022 Annual General Meeting, set to take place on November 23, 2022.